110/120V internal wiring in NZ (Electrician guidance ?)

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randhawa012

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#304174 10-Apr-2023 22:49

Hi, Just need some guidance or direction regarding if we can have 110/120V dedicated wiring socket in NZ homes ?

I bought a device from US and using a 2000W stepdown transformer and its working perfectly fine.

Issue is - Transformer makes humming noise 24/7 so I was thinking if I can put that transformer in garage or next to power distribution and have separate switch/breaker and from there a 110/120V wire terminates to wall socket ?

So transformer can make humming sound in garage and we can have dedicated 110/120V socket in room with device plugged in.

Any thoughts or ideas or can do or cant do ?

Any expert electricians who can guide or help, will really appreciate.

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#3061236 10-Apr-2023 23:26

Some of the older NZ houses have 110V shaver sockets with an an isolating transformer behind them.

Dont think you can install them anymore, and only ever saw them in the bathrooms.

What US appliance is it? The transformer must be very innefficient too.

CYaBro

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#3061240 11-Apr-2023 00:03

My sister bought a house that was built by a Japanese family originally.
It has 110v sockets all over the place, including next to the toilets. 😂
They don’t use them as they don’t have 110v appliances so not sure if they even still work.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Bung

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#3061246 11-Apr-2023 01:24

On another forum it was pointed out that now any new socket would need circuit breaker and RCD protection and there's unlikely to be a 110v RCD with NZ approval. Is the device that special that the cost is justified?

Handle9

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#3061249 11-Apr-2023 05:29

I’m pretty sure it’s illegal but @gregmcc would know for sure.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3061252 11-Apr-2023 06:39

You may be able to keep it simple and just install direct wiring and treat the appliance and inverter as plug-in equipment.

We have an IEC C14 inlet near our UPS, connecting two remote sockets. The inlet is just an off-the-shelf IEC C14 connector mounted in a blank PDL 600-series plate. The electrician made it, and he was incredibly anal when it came to following the rules. If he was willing to sign off on a custom socket, I'm sure using a US plate from a reputable manufacturer isn't out of the question, but it's probably easier to change the plug on the appliance.

johno1234

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#3061323 11-Apr-2023 08:51

Might be cheaper to just buy a new stepdown transformer that is quiet.

richms

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#3061377 11-Apr-2023 12:01

I was told no way to legally do this with standard US outlets and had to use yellow ceeform ones to be legit. Needed to have a dedicated breaker panel for it and all sorts of carry on like you would do if wiring up a data centre with things from a UPS.

I got a long US extension cord and put it down the hole that the dishwasher drain goes out to the basement where I have it plugged into the transformer.

A fancy starwars waffle iron is not worth the hassle TBH.

Richard rich.ms

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Wombat1

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#3061429 11-Apr-2023 13:36

As far as I was aware, it’s illegal to run extension cords through walls or floors etc. you may want to check the legality of that one.

mkissin

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#3061518 11-Apr-2023 15:28

I think it's more subtle than that. It's illegal to use them as fixed wiring. As long as they're easily removable, you're probably fine.

I'm not a registered sparky though.

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#3061563 11-Apr-2023 16:40

It is possible, and legal. However you will be dealing with part one of ANZS3000. You will need to upgrade your mains / main fuse to at least 80A and require a certified design.

you will be able to use equipment that is certified in another country (USA) for the portions of the installation where that applies.

one difficultly is that any appliance that can get near the 230V would need to be approved (or possibly tested) to that voltage (I'd need to check on that one)

All work will need to inspected as will any ongoing changes to the system.. even the smallest thing.

Getting 120V 60Hz from 230V 50Hz is not impossible but honestly is the cost of an inverter worth it?

My own house is done to part one (for different reasons, and only because I could design and wire it myself)

My advice is forget it.

Matthew

gregmcc

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#3061591 11-Apr-2023 17:44

Bung: On another forum it was pointed out that now any new socket would need circuit breaker and RCD protection and there's unlikely to be a 110v RCD with NZ approval. Is the device that special that the cost is justified?

The new (230V) socket that the transformer plugged in to would need to be RCD protected, whatever is plugged in to that is an "accessory or appliance" there is no requirment for an RCD on an accessory or appliance. Keep in mind there would be no RCD protection on a 230V-120V transformer (110V side), but been an isolated supply it would make it harder to receive an electric shock (not impossible though).

gregmcc

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#3061592 11-Apr-2023 17:47

mdooher:

It is possible, and legal. However you will be dealing with part one of ANZS3000. You will need to upgrade your mains / main fuse to at least 80A and require a certified design.

you will be able to use equipment that is certified in another country (USA) for the portions of the installation where that applies.

one difficultly is that any appliance that can get near the 230V would need to be approved (or possibly tested) to that voltage (I'd need to check on that one)

All work will need to inspected as will any ongoing changes to the system.. even the smallest thing.

Getting 120V 60Hz from 230V 50Hz is not impossible but honestly is the cost of an inverter worth it?

My own house is done to part one (for different reasons, and only because I could design and wire it myself)

My advice is forget it.

Can't do part 1 installs for domestic, must be part 2.

can do a part 2 with a certified design.

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#3061599 11-Apr-2023 18:14

Sorry you are incorrect

Part one is is allowed as long as supply is above 80A...How do think I did my house?

Matthew

gregmcc

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#3061602 11-Apr-2023 18:22

randhawa012:

Hi, Just need some guidance or direction regarding if we can have 110/120V dedicated wiring socket in NZ homes ?

I bought a device from US and using a 2000W stepdown transformer and its working perfectly fine.

Issue is - Transformer makes humming noise 24/7 so I was thinking if I can put that transformer in garage or next to power distribution and have separate switch/breaker and from there a 110/120V wire terminates to wall socket ?

So transformer can make humming sound in garage and we can have dedicated 110/120V socket in room with device plugged in.

Any thoughts or ideas or can do or cant do ?

Any expert electricians who can guide or help, will really appreciate.

If you want to make the step down transformer part of the fixed wiring it will be a very expensive exercise, it can be done but be prepared to spend.

Option would be to have an electrician run a 110V circuit with the appropriate circuit breaker to the appliance, and user a permanent connection (like is used on a heated towel rail) for the appliance. If you had a standard US socket it would be difficult to get a signed COC as the outlet would not have a SDOC. You may not need a RCD on a socket supplied from a isolation transformer (this is what the step down transformer does) but this would require further invesgation. This is something you need to engage an electrician for. A permanently connected appliance does not need a RCD protected circuit. (generally, unless there are wet area zoning issues).

gregmcc

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#3061605 11-Apr-2023 18:27

mdooher:

Sorry you are incorrect

Part one is is allowed as long as supply is above 80A...How do think I did my house?

After looking at the ESR's, you are correct, bet you had a mission finding an inspector who signed off your part 1 install.......

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