Permanently using a travel adpator for foreign plugs in NZ

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Permanently using a travel adpator for foreign plugs in NZ

NightStalker

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#237575 8-Jun-2018 13:17

A comment was made in another topic that using a travel adapter as a permanent solution might go against AS/NZ standards

I'm hoping someone with the right qualifications or knowledge has an answer or can point me to the right info.
I'm sure there's more than a few of us on GZ doing this so some clarity would be appreciated.

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#2032121 8-Jun-2018 13:31

Its a grey area.

If you concerned, then cut the plug off and fit one of those plugs which are legally sold at mitre 10.

NZSpides

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#2032124 8-Jun-2018 13:37

It's actually not a grey area.

It's illegal for a store to sell good in NZ with a travel adapter as a means to connect it to power.
Its in the AS/NZ standards, but I don't have a copy handy to find it.

Personally you can do it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Wiggum

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#2032126 8-Jun-2018 13:40

NZSpides:

It's actually not a grey area.

It's illegal for a store to sell good in NZ with a travel adapter as a means to connect it to power.
Its in the AS/NZ standards, but I don't have a copy handy to find it.

Personally you can do it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Thats not the question, the question is if its legal to use it permanently with a travel adapter. (If bought legally, ie from Amazon or brought in from overseas)

NZSpides

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#2032129 8-Jun-2018 13:45

If you read the rest of the reply....

For personal use it's fine, but I wouldn't recommend it.

The standards apply to selling the product, no mention is made about bringing in products from overseas for personal use.

I personally wouldn't do it.

robjg63

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#2032132 8-Jun-2018 13:51

You cant cut the plug off a power brick I am afraid - and often with imported items its too difficult to source a replacement with a NZ plug.

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rb99

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#2032133 8-Jun-2018 13:53

Seems harmless to me for Amazon bought hard-drives and such. Wouldn't try anything similar with heaters and that kind of stuff.

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Wiggum

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#2032145 8-Jun-2018 13:57

robjg63:

You cant cut the plug off a power brick I am afraid - and often with imported items its too difficult to source a replacement with a NZ plug.

Thats true. I have 2 Roku devices from the USA that operate on 110Volt or 240Volt, mine are permanently hooked up to travel adapters (bought here in NZ on trademe). They running fine and I'm not concerned about it.

Of course doing this with a 110Volt item is asking for trouble. *BOOM*

NightStalker

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#2032161 8-Jun-2018 14:08

Wiggum:

robjg63:

You cant cut the plug off a power brick I am afraid - and often with imported items its too difficult to source a replacement with a NZ plug.

Thats true. I have 2 Roku devices from the USA that operate on 110Volt or 240Volt, mine are permanently hooked up to travel adapters (bought here in NZ on trademe). They running fine and I'm not concerned about it.

Of course doing this with a 110Volt item is asking for trouble. *BOOM*

Ive got a roku, mibox, and shield tv all using adapters purchased in NZ but as a I said it was the comment in the other forum that made me want to check for any issues.

vexxxboy

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#2032164 8-Jun-2018 14:10

anybody can wire up plugs and light fittings in a private house and people are worried about using an adapter

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Wiggum

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#2032165 8-Jun-2018 14:13

NightStalker:

Wiggum:

robjg63:

You cant cut the plug off a power brick I am afraid - and often with imported items its too difficult to source a replacement with a NZ plug.

Thats true. I have 2 Roku devices from the USA that operate on 110Volt or 240Volt, mine are permanently hooked up to travel adapters (bought here in NZ on trademe). They running fine and I'm not concerned about it.

Of course doing this with a 110Volt item is asking for trouble. *BOOM*

Ive got a roku, mibox, and shield tv all using adapters purchased in NZ but as a I said it was the comment in the other forum that made me want to check for any issues.

There really is no difference from a safety point of view between New Zealanders using adaptor plugs in NZ, or tourists coming here and using adapter plugs in NZ (which they do all the time, and are legally entitled to do)

Rikkitic

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#2032170 8-Jun-2018 14:21

Since there are no children in my vicinity I don't tend to worry unduly about things like this but I have had some adapters from China that were so unfit for purpose even I wouldn't use them. Extremely flimsy, loose-fitting, exposed contacts, the whole ball of wax. Either I repair them to make them safely usable or I find something else.

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Wiggum

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#2032173 8-Jun-2018 14:28

Rikkitic:

Since there are no children in my vicinity I don't tend to worry unduly about things like this but I have had some adapters from China that were so unfit for purpose even I wouldn't use them. Extremely flimsy, loose-fitting, exposed contacts, the whole ball of wax. Either I repair them to make them safely usable or I find something else.

I have seen similar types on trademe. Some without even an earth pin.

sbiddle

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#2032344 8-Jun-2018 20:40

Wiggum:

Rikkitic:

Since there are no children in my vicinity I don't tend to worry unduly about things like this but I have had some adapters from China that were so unfit for purpose even I wouldn't use them. Extremely flimsy, loose-fitting, exposed contacts, the whole ball of wax. Either I repair them to make them safely usable or I find something else.

I have seen similar types on trademe. Some without even an earth pin.

Selling non AS/NZ compliant adapters on Trademe is illegal, as is selling products that don't feature a NZ plug.