It's probably just a powerpoint, which has had its directly-wired appliance removed (The one in the lounge might have been from a nightstore or similar heater.)

The connection inside the powerpoint may or not be live, and may be on a nightrate/second meter. It was probably just deemed too much hassle to remove the powerpoint when the appliance was removed, so the cut off the wire and left it.

Thanks.

I'm hoping I can replace it with a 240V plug socket.

BoerieGalore:

 

Thanks.

 

I'm hoping I can replace it with a 240V plug socket.

 

That will be fine, but as mentioned above, find out which circuit it is on, it might be rippled or switched,

(not very helpful if you want to use it all the /anytime)

Thanks for the quick response guys.

Stu:
Doesn't look like a socket, from the photo as I see it on my phone. Looks more like a plate where you'd have a cable hard-wired to the switch, passing through the plate directly to the appliance. Often seen on older heaters, extractor fans, and the like. Perhaps am old waste disposal unit under the sink? Still seen on heated towel rails etc.

They used to be called "Permanent Connection Unit" (PCU) back in the day, they were used because in those days the homeowner wasn't allowed to futz with permanently connected appliances, it was a sparky-only job.

So if your appliance was attached to one of these, you had to call a sparky to do anything. And if you had a controlled storage heater, you couldn't plug it into a regular uncontrolled outlet, because that would be against the rules.
So of course that never happened. Cough.

PolicyGuy:

 

Stu:
Doesn't look like a socket, from the photo as I see it on my phone. Looks more like a plate where you'd have a cable hard-wired to the switch, passing through the plate directly to the appliance. Often seen on older heaters, extractor fans, and the like. Perhaps am old waste disposal unit under the sink? Still seen on heated towel rails etc.

 

They used to be called "Permanent Connection Unit" (PCU) back in the day, they were used because in those days the homeowner wasn't allowed to futz with permanently connected appliances, it was a sparky-only job.

 

So if your appliance was attached to one of these, you had to call a sparky to do anything. And if you had a controlled storage heater, you couldn't plug it into a regular uncontrolled outlet, because that would be against the rules.
So of course that never happened. Cough.

 

 

 

That makes a lot of sense now thank you. And I think you guys are right about it being on uncontrolled power. I have seen the same plug at the hot water cylinder (which I assume is wired to the controlled power meter).

I'm with Electric Kiwi power and pay a flat rate for electricity anyway, regardless of how much of my electricity is controlled.

Hopefully you replace it with a 230V socket, no 240V here.

Cyril

I was actually looking at one of these: (250V rated). Not sure I would something that is only rated 230V

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/1552-Clipsal-Classic-C2000-Single-Horizontal-Switched-Power-Outlet-250V-10A

Rating or connecting, typically these type of electrical fittings are rated to 250V as they are derived from international vendors, however in NZ finding 240 or 250V is not common.

Cyril

cyril7:

 

Rating or connecting, typically these type of electrical fittings are rated to 250V as they are derived from international vendors, however in NZ finding 240 or 250V is not common.

 

Cyril

 

240 is common, the legally allowable range is 216.2-243.8 (230 +/- 6%). The distributor will generally tap the transformer up so the properties nearest are near the upper limit, and the jug will still boil in a decent amount of time for those furthest away.

larknz: Be aware that it may be controlled by a ripple relay which may switch it off at peak load times. It does not matter that you pay a flat rate for your power, the hot water is still quite possibly controlled.

Just bumping this above comment to the OP... as they already made a comment that suggests that they do not know what 'ripple control' is and thinks it has to do with billing.