Swerv-o

I'm not sure you'll be able to do this, as the UK sockets won't be certified to Australian standards, despite generally being a better and safer design. You may find that your Aussie electrician will be reluctant to touch them. I certainly like the idea though.

I have some powerboards that have 'travel' style sockets and accept pretty much anything from anywhere. I bought them in Malaysia a couple of years ago, and are great for those items that I haven't converted. They are also great for when UK friends come to visit - they don't need to worry about adaptors either.


S

Amazulu

Had a look through their catalogue and as I thought, Clipsal sell them:
Clipsal - E25 - Twin Switch Socket Outlet, 250V, 13A


Australian plugs are shite but nothing wrong with the GPOs

Swerv-o

Oh, cool. I may try and get a couple of those fitted in my house then.


S

Swerv-o

Though in saying that, most Australian domestic wiring is 10A, so the sparky may insist on installing 15A wiring as well, before he puts the 13A socket on.

I do agree on the Aussie plugs and sockets. They really are the most cack-handed and dreadful design I have encountered.


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GarryP

Here's a thought. We need a replacement standard:

• global in extent
• backwards compatible with older style plugs (eg with universal holes)
• capable of delivering lower voltage (eg 5v) as well as mains (so no need for wall warts). 110 - 240v auto switchable.
• capable of shifting data, etc. - both ways
• capable of being controlled by data (switched etc.)
• with usage metering included and reported
• plugs not being bulky, nor liable to spear the unwary foot

Amazulu

Domestic socket circuits using 2.5mm2 twin and earth are rated at up to about 27A - depending on how the cabling is installed

The MCB protecting a circuit (the cabling and wiring basically) is rated at 16A - although 20A is feasible

The maximum rating of a domestic appliance is 10A - which is why you can usually run multiple appliances on one circuit without the MCB tripping

In the UK, 13A appliances are allowed on the same size wiring - in South Africa it's 16A

We can't have fast boil kettles like they have in the UK because of this

paulry

I wonder what the position would be if someone with UK power sockets fitted in their house then suffers an electrical house fire. Would insurers be able to wriggle off the hook on the basis of the house being fitted with non-Aussie certified sockets?

Amazulu

If you look at the link that I posted, you will see that Clipsal sell UK-style GPOs locally. These will be certified for use here - especially from a company like Clipsal

No worries

paulry

Cool!

What would the Aussie standard certification mark for these sockets be?

Swerv-o

Are you writing an essay?

If in doubt, call Clipsal - but the link that Zulu posted looks pretty good. I had assumed you were importing LECs from the UK


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paulry

I'll bet we could write a book on it. Agreed, the link does look good but I just want to avoid running foul of regulations should many years from now we have an insurance claim. Shortly after we moved here in 2010, our tenants in the UK had a house fire which destroyed the kitchen. Our insurers tried to wriggle out of the cover we had with them because of the non compliant lean-to at the back of the house. Do we have anything in Australia like the UK's BSI or South Africa's SABS? I might give Clipsal a call before I buy.

paulry

it would be good if we could get something like this that also fits Aussie plugs.

Amazulu

Nerd post of the day:

AS/NZS is the local body governing standards

AS/NZS 3112 is the standard covering socket outlets

Standards covering electrical installations and equipment are much of a muchness in most western countries

GarryP

That does fit Oz plugs.

Not sure what the separate 2 pin socket is for, anything that fits there should fit in the main as well. It's similar to my concept above, but missing the low voltage and data pathways.

Swerv-o

I'm surprised that nobody has really made a commercial success of something like this - adoption in the hotel industry would be an awesome coup...


S