Can I use 250 V 16 A power adapter in standard NZ wall sockets?

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prat33k

182 posts

Master Geek

#240660 19-Sep-2018 09:46

Hi

I am very new to this place, so apologize already if I get something wrong.

I am trying to buy some smart devices for my home and was recently looking forward to buy an Aqara Gateway which has a night light feature. It goes usually around ~ $60 off AliExpress.

Now, I found the Aqara Aircon Companion for around ~$35 on AliExpress flash deal, which also has the gateway feature I want to use. This is kinda plug that I could also use to turn few devices on/off via Google Home but dont have an aircon in my room to be plugged nor a a high power wall socket. But the only thing I am not sure about is the power rating. It is rated at 250V 16A 3500W (

While I am aware that the standard volatge in NZ is 230-240V with a 10A wall socket. So my query is can this run by itself off a standard wall socket and plugging normal devices in (not high power) if I don't exceed the total power from a single wall socket by 2400W?

Please let me know if this will just work as this can be pretty good for my setup otherwise.

Thanks!

nickb800

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#2093016 19-Sep-2018 09:50

If it's rated at 16A then that usually means it has 16A pins and sockets - these look the same as our normal 10A plugs, but the pins are longer. This means that you can't physically fit it into a normal 10A socket, and likewise can't physically fit a 10A plug into it.

I've made this mistake before with similar devices from Sonoff. Of course I ordered two, both of which are useless unless I take them apart.

See if the manufacturer makes a 10A version

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2093024 19-Sep-2018 10:02

From reading the website it says it's 16A max so it's anybody's guess what type of plug it comes with. It needs to be a 10A plug to work - as mentioned a 16A plug is physically different.

It is worth mentioning as well if you don't realise this already that some of the features won't work since you won't be able to plug in a hardwired heatpump/air con unit into it. In lots of Asian countries the units are small standalone units that plug into a wall plug.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2093422 19-Sep-2018 19:59

For what it's worth, the next size up from 10A is a 15A plug, in the standard AS3112 form we all know. Not a 16A.

richms

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#2093463 19-Sep-2018 20:29

Those plugs do not fit an AS/NZS3112 20A outlet like I had hoped. Pins look the same dimenstions but spacing is different.

Edit:

also the device support on the mi home app varies between what region you choose. US and some others and they have alexa support but no smart devices, choose China and the smarthome gear is able to be used but no alexa. Not tried google home on my mi gear as I now have it all back on China servers.

Also notifications dont work because China and google.

Richard rich.ms

prat33k

182 posts

Master Geek

#2093480 19-Sep-2018 21:09

Thanks for warning me about the adapter size, which I was totally not even aware of too. So otherwise, if I get this plugged in by something like the following picture, is this going to work given higher voltage and amp rating for normal devices?

msreef

88 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2093482 19-Sep-2018 21:15

If all it does it turn appliances on and off, then you just need to make sure that your appliance that you're turning off consumes 2400 watts or less. That device itself will use next to no power.

From looking at it, it can only turn off one device, or all devices attached to a power port, you can't connect multiple devices to a single one of those and expect to be able to turn each one on/off individually.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2093496 19-Sep-2018 21:34

msreef:

If all it does it turn appliances on and off, then you just need to make sure that your appliance that you're turning off consumes 2400 watts or less. That device itself will use next to no power.

From looking at it, it can only turn off one device, or all devices attached to a power port, you can't connect multiple devices to a single one of those and expect to be able to turn each one on/off individually.

That's a 16A caravan socket, which probably won't work with the device. I'm guessing they just say "16A" because that's the plug on the Euro versions.

You're also supposed to have a breaker or something in one of those adapters; otherwise someone can draw 16A through the 10A plug.

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richms

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#2093509 19-Sep-2018 21:52

The 16A is a larger Chinese outlet often used beside an airconditioner inside unit where they plug in, that is why it has the passthru for that on the thing. I dont think that unit does any switching itself, just IR for the airconditioner.

Richard rich.ms

prat33k

182 posts

Master Geek

#2093512 19-Sep-2018 22:03

Okay, so this pass through power thing is so confusing I think. Should I just buy this as a hidden gateway device and not plug anything on it? At least that should work hopefully, given the 250V power rating too! 😕