Changing the plug on a UK appliance

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Changing the plug on a UK appliance

nofam

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#270410 8-May-2020 10:29

Hey guys,

I'm looking at importing a kitchen appliance from the UK, and was wondering what the best option is for using it here (and no, it's not available in NZ). The appliance is 220v / 50Hz, so other than the G-typle plug it should work fine. As I see it, I could either

- Use a pin adapter plug like I do now for phone chargers etc. The appliance is only pulling 170w and will be used in bursts, so there's no high/long loads being drawn
- Get a sparky to lop the plug off and replace with a NZ/AU plug. This would be my preference, but can/will a sparky do this?
- Change the plug myself, which I'm happy to do, but am wondering about the legality of this as per the point above

Thanks!

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#2479111 8-May-2020 10:33

Most appliances have detachable cords, so swap and enjoy. If it's not, just cut and replace.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

nofam

1094 posts

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#2479113 8-May-2020 10:36

kobiak:

Most appliances have detachable cords, so swap and enjoy. If it's not, just cut and replace.

Yeah, this one has a neat retractable cord so it can be only as long as you need it to be, so definitely want to keep it. But imagine the re-wire is just a straight phase/neutral/earth swap right, taking into account the differences in wire colour.

shk292

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#2479141 8-May-2020 10:54

Just change it yourself. Those of us who have migrated have done this to many appliances, it's a very easy job provided you know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

Obviously, if you have any doubts, call a sparky.

For info, until about 1990 every appliance sold in UK came without a plug, with the consumer expected to attach one

Bananabob

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#2479154 8-May-2020 11:05

These two websites may help you

UK Colour codes

NZ Colour codes

SATTV

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#2479183 8-May-2020 11:44

nofam:

Hey guys,

I'm looking at importing a kitchen appliance from the UK, and was wondering what the best option is for using it here (and no, it's not available in NZ). The appliance is 220v / 50Hz, so other than the G-typle plug it should work fine. As I see it, I could either

- Use a pin adapter plug like I do now for phone chargers etc. The appliance is only pulling 170w and will be used in bursts, so there's no high/long loads being drawn
- Get a sparky to lop the plug off and replace with a NZ/AU plug. This would be my preference, but can/will a sparky do this?
- Change the plug myself, which I'm happy to do, but am wondering about the legality of this as per the point above

Thanks!

Depending on the appliance and cut and replace it the best option, if I recall the UK plug is rated to 13amps, our normal ones are rated to 10 Amps.

You will need to check the current draw to make an informed decision, if you need a 15A plug and socket you will need an electrician.

Also as the importer it is up to you to make sure that the appliance meets all the local regulations.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

andrewNZ

2487 posts

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#2479200 8-May-2020 12:15

Yes an electrician will do this for you no problem, UNLESS there is an issue with the appliance itself.

If it's a legit UK product, there will be no issue, if it's a cheap Chinese device being sold in the UK through ebay there may be issues.

Rikkitic

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#2479202 8-May-2020 12:21

SATTV:

nofam:

The appliance is only pulling 170w and will be used in bursts, so there's no high/long loads being drawn

Depending on the appliance and cut and replace it the best option, if I recall the UK plug is rated to 13amps, our normal ones are rated to 10 Amps.

You will need to check the current draw to make an informed decision, if you need a 15A plug and socket you will need an electrician.

Also as the importer it is up to you to make sure that the appliance meets all the local regulations.

John

If the device is 170 watts, current draw won't be an issue.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

lNomNoml

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#2479203 8-May-2020 12:25

Just chop it off and change it yourself, not sure why you would need an electrician lol.

Senecio

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#2479221 8-May-2020 13:02

A tip for others when I migrated from Ireland to NZ. Not relevant here as its only one appliance but other's may find it useful.

Before I left the UK I bought a number of 4/6/8 point power boards. Once I arrived here I only had to change the one plug on the power board. Even today 3 years later my TV, receiver, Blu Ray etc... still have their UK plugs all plugged into one power board with an NZ plug on the end of it. Probably only changed 6-8 plugs instead of 20 when we emmigrated.

Scotdownunder

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#2479275 8-May-2020 15:07

Totally agree with the UK power board with NZ plug approach. Also essential if you have kit with power bricks with integral plugs. I have several. Also when you pay a return visit to UK, put a UK plug on an NZ power strip for all the NZ stuff you will have acquired, e.g. phone chargers, toothbrush chargers etc.

Rikkitic

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#2479290 8-May-2020 15:34

I did this years ago with my European devices. Haven't used it much for a long time, though.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

shk292

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#2479295 8-May-2020 15:37

Plenty of UK appliances and power strips still in use in my household even fifteen years after migration!

some spare power strips if OP or anyone else needs one

neb

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#2479371 8-May-2020 16:00

Rikkitic:
I did this years ago with my European devices. Haven't used it much for a long time, though.

Same, brought back a multi-way plugboard from Austria for Euro/Schuko plugs.

One neat thing about most of the ones you can get there is that they angle the plugs at about 30 degrees, which means you can put wall warts in them without having to miss every second position. The reversible nature of the plugs does help there though.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2480110 10-May-2020 09:51

NZ ECP 50 has the rules you need to follow if you want to do this. It only applies if you own the appliance and it's for domestic (i.e. not commercial) use.

One issue to be aware of when doing this for plugboards:

NZ plugboards have an onboard 10A circuit breaker to stop you overloading the supply lead or plug. As our circuits are typically 16-20A, they could otherwise be significantly overloaded without tripping the supply circuit.

UK equipment, I believe, uses a fuse in the plug to stop it exceeding 13A - replacing the plug removes this protection.

EU equipment usually uses a 16A plug on a 16A circuit, so no extra protection of the cable/plug is needed. Fitting a smaller plug and putting it on a larger circuit also removes this protection.

This will generally be fine for small electronics (TV, bluray etc.), but do not use large loads like kitchen equipment, space heaters, or vacuum cleaners on these unprotected plugboards.

Rikkitic

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#2480172 10-May-2020 10:15

SomeoneSomewhere:

NZ ECP 50 has the rules you need to follow if you want to do this. It only applies if you own the appliance and it's for domestic (i.e. not commercial) use.

One issue to be aware of when doing this for plugboards:

NZ plugboards have an onboard 10A circuit breaker to stop you overloading the supply lead or plug. As our circuits are typically 16-20A, they could otherwise be significantly overloaded without tripping the supply circuit.

UK equipment, I believe, uses a fuse in the plug to stop it exceeding 13A - replacing the plug removes this protection.

EU equipment usually uses a 16A plug on a 16A circuit, so no extra protection of the cable/plug is needed. Fitting a smaller plug and putting it on a larger circuit also removes this protection.

This will generally be fine for small electronics (TV, bluray etc.), but do not use large loads like kitchen equipment, space heaters, or vacuum cleaners on these unprotected plugboards.

Plug the UK board into another NZ board before pluging into mains, and you will have the 10 amp protection.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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