Sparky help - Can I use a USA table lamp in NZ?

[Usarka]

If so, how do I do it?

Is it simply rewiring the socket to our 3-pin, or do I have to repace the batten holder bit?

Chur.

[Drew]

Don't they use 110volts instead of 220?

[pete376403]

change the bulb to a 230v. Change the plug (best option) or US parallel blades can be twisted a little to fit the NZ sockets (no doubt illegal)

[Gremlin]

Look under the bottom of the lamp, where it states what volts and amps it accepts as input. If it has 110-240V, it means it's dual voltage and can run on both. If it doesn't, you'd require a transformer.

Bear in mind, the USA uses 110V, NZ uses 220-240V. Different plugs, so you'd have to change them regardless.

[Usarka]

Thanks!

.....

[jellywrestler]

change the bulb to a 230v. Change the plug (best option) or US parallel blades can be twisted a little to fit the NZ sockets (no doubt illegal)
check you house insurance out cause that's just shit advice

[Gremlin]

The one other thing I'm not sure about (and afaik), is there is a reason for the 3 vs 2 pin layout. 110V are delivered on each pin, so USA has one for that and one for earth. NZ naturally has 2 pins for voltage, then one for earth. I think?

I only know this much because I travelled to USA and being in IT, having power there was imperative for laptop etc.

[jellywrestler]

Look under the bottom of the lamp, where it states what volts and amps it accepts as input. If it has 110-240V, it means it's dual voltage and can run on both. If it doesn't, you'd require a transformer.

Bear in mind, the USA uses 110V, NZ uses 220-240V. Different plugs, so you'd have to change them regardless.

more clown words.
If the lampholder part has the same size fitting as bulbs available in nz and if it's labelled suitable for 250volts it's usable, check the cable that's more important as that needs to be rated to 250volts too, any less and it doesn't necessarily have the strength of insulation to take our voltage.
if it isn't rated assume it's not suitable, companies aren't in the habit of using the next size up just to be nice
replace the plug, pete's advice may have been well meaning but while your light may work stuffing a twisted plug into a socket will damage the socket so when you do decide to plug something in with higher current draw, like a heater, there maybe a hot spot and may lead to a fire.
Not sure whether USA has the MEN distribution system, here if it is a steel fitting it also needs to be earthed, requiring the third pin on the plug, unless it's double insulated (there'll be a logo on it if it is google to find an image, usually a box within a box line drawn)

[jasonu]

Don't they use 110volts instead of 220?

Yes that is true. You can get transformers from Dik Smif, not sure about getting a new bulb when the original one blows.

[jasonu]

change the bulb to a 230v.

If the socket is the same that is. The yank ones are screw in type which are a real pain in the dick if they won't undo, not bayonet like NZ. The rest of the appliance may still need work. Better you use a transformer or chuck it in the bin.

[mossy1200]

Advice from registered electrician

If the lamp holder is edison screw type you must confirm the centre pin is the live side of the NZ 3 pin plug that you fit to it.
When looking into the socket on a wall it is the top left hole.The neutral is the top right.If the lamp has exposed metal parts that may become alive by a broken wire then it must have a earth electrode connected to the plug and a 3 core flex.IE the lamp holder is brass.
If there is a inline cord switch you must also confirn that the live wire is switched and not the neutral wire or both are switched.This can be done with a multi meter from the edison screw centre pin to the live conductor on the plug.
Wire size will not ba a issue as 110volt is double the current due to be half the voltage so the cables will be twice the required size and not undersized.You must of course be using a 230 volt lamp in it.

[FJRider]

Or just flick it on Trademe ... let it be somebody else's problem.

[jellywrestler]

Wire size will not ba a issue as 110volt is double the current due to be half the voltage so the cables will be twice the required size and not undersized.You must of course be using a 230 volt lamp in it. wire size may not but it still needs to be rated to take 240volts, rest is good advice ES edison screw bulbs are becoming more common in NZ so if they are the same base size as available will be off the shelf almost at a dairy

[mossy1200]

wire size may not but it still needs to be rated to take 240volts, rest is good advice ES edison screw bulbs are becoming more common in NZ so if they are the same base size as available will be off the shelf almost at a dairy

I cant ever remember seeing a lamp cord under .5mm and the lamp holder should match if edison screw as osram lamps have same thread type as philips etc being E27.The only american lamp holder that dont match what we have are some of the early metal halide and mercury vapour flood light bulbs.The biggest issue is the correct polarity as the cord most likely has both conductors(live and neutral)in black rather than red and black or brown and blue like we are used to seeing.This is because american plugs can be inserted either way up into the plug if the appliance is a 2 pin or double insulated type.
My avatar pic is the double insulated symbol but its not likely to be on the lamp.
Certification of appliance in New Zealand is a joke due to the deregulation of the industry.If a electrician installs an item he has now certified it as being compliant but a home owner can do whatever he chooses as long as it is not for payment by others.The only down side is insurance can refuse a claim if the injury or damage is proven to have been the homeowners fault.
Dont bend pins as that will leave your insurance null and void if ever you have a issue caused by the lamp for sure.

[jellywrestler]

I cant ever remember seeing a lamp cord under .5mm doesn't matter what diameter the wire is it still needs to be rated to carry 240 volts whether it's 1 ampere or 100 amperes, voltage is the 'pressure' of the power supply and 240volt is over twice the 'pressure' of 110 and needs to be rated accordingly otherwise it's not got the correctly rated insulation
mr usarka I'm in the hutt valley if you want to show me it i'll tell ya whether it's right or not.

[Hitcher]

Real men aren't afraid of the dark.

[mossy1200]

doesn't matter what diameter the wire is it still needs to be rated to carry 240 volts whether it's 1 ampere or 100 amperes, voltage is the 'pressure' of the power supply and 240volt is over twice the 'pressure' of 110 and needs to be rated accordingly otherwise it's not got the correctly rated insulation
mr usarka I'm in the hutt valley if you want to show me it i'll tell ya whether it's right or not.

Agree with what your saying but in general term due to 110volt requiring the double the current as 230 to provide the same energy in a lamp it will create more heat in the cables therefore the insulation rating of the cable is better.I couldnt imagine mega testing at 1000volts will fail any appliance flex unless its very damaged.If he has time to take a nz plug and drop it round to your house or mine in welly would be better than doing it himself.

The biggest issue might be that if it has a inline switch it may not be on the centre pin of the edison screw holder as they arnt worried about polarity in usa.

[Usarka]

Real men aren't afraid of the dark.

I'm afraid of dark americans. Apparently they are from the 'hood.

[Hitcher]

Apparently they are from the 'hood.

Or, more correctly, from the bonnet, as we call it here in New Zealand.

[BMWST?]

prolly easier to just gut the thing and convert totally to NZ

[davereid]

Agree with what your saying but in general term due to 110volt requiring the double the current as 230 to provide the same energy in a lamp it will create more heat in the cables therefore the insulation rating of the cable is better.I couldnt imagine mega testing at 1000volts will fail any appliance flex unless its very damaged.If he has time to take a nz plug and drop it round to your house or mine in welly would be better than doing it himself.

The biggest issue might be that if it has a inline switch it may not be on the centre pin of the edison screw holder as they arnt worried about polarity in usa.

Mossys advice is sound, as long as the globe is swapped, and the 3 pin plug is wired so that the switch, and centre terminal of the edison screw lamp are live not neutral, the lamp will be fine.

[avgas]

The biggest issue is the correct polarity as the cord most likely has both conductors(live and neutral)in black rather than red and black or brown and blue like we are used to seeing.This is because american plugs can be inserted either way up into the plug if the appliance is a 2 pin or double insulated type.
Sorry I bit my tongue on your previous statement..........but I can't no longer.

Which is live - Phase or Neutral? :facepalm:

Also which way does a POWER connection need to made to a BULB Filament for it light? Does it need to be AC?

While I understand where your coming from (MEN, Earth-tied-Neutrals...etc) - your explaining it wrong (literally in the electrical sense). And incorrect advice in the electrical industry is lethal.

Rant over.
Back to the OP - how about an actual photo so we know what the hell this lamp looks like?
and what could be dangerous on it rather than going off half cocked.

[Flip]

The USA uses another type of power distrubution system. In NZ we tie N and E together at the switch board so there is 2 paths for fault currents, Multipule Earth Neutrals or MEN. The US uses a floating N so theroretical you could get a boot from a neutral because it might have a potiential to ground. This is why all our plugs have 3 pins.

As long as the wire, switch and lamp socket holder is rated for 230v you will probably be fine. The issue you would have is if you were supplying these for retail you would come unstuck with the MED ESS as they might not be compliant with the NZ regs.

I found a heated towel rail at home in the weekend that was being switched in N. I know that with double insulated appliances it makes little difference, I just would hate to chop the lead and find that the P was still live.

[bogan]

If you've got a newer house you'll have switchboard RCDs anyway right? If not, plug in ones are about 15 bucks. Just don't go running 5kW through em, they don't like it :sweatdrop RCDs aren't actually a "safe" solution anyway, cos you could still burn the house down, but good enough if its under observation I reckon.

Then again, aren't new table lamps only about 15 bucks anyway? It sounds like the easiest way to be safe might be to gut one of those and put it in your fancy US lamp.

[jellywrestler]

If you've got a newer house you'll have switchboard RCDs anyway right? If not, plug in ones are about 15 bucks. Just don't go running 5kW through em, they don't like it :sweatdrop RCDs aren't actually a "safe" solution anyway, cos you could still burn the house down, but good enough if its under observation I reckon.

Then again, aren't new table lamps only about 15 bucks anyway? It sounds like the easiest way to be safe might be to gut one of those and put it in your fancy US lamp.
RCD's aren't worth 'a cunt full of cold snow' when it comes to stopping a phase nuetral shock path, only an earth fault besides who wants a bright orange RCD in their lounge.
Maybe the table lamp has some character that Usarka would like to keep?

[bogan]

RCD's aren't worth 'a cunt full of cold snow' when it comes to stopping a phase nuetral shock path, only an earth fault besides who wants a bright orange RCD in their lounge.
Maybe the table lamp has some character that Usarka would like to keep?

I'm just trying to think how a US lamp would increase the chances of a phase-neutral shock?
You can get white ones too...
I did suggest gut the electrics from a new lamp to put in his one.

We're probably going to find out soon that it is some whorey neon sign transformer requiring lamp anyway :bleh:

[jellywrestler]

I'm just trying to think how a US lamp would increase the chances of a phase-neutral shock?
You can get white ones too...
I did suggest gut the electrics from a new lamp to put in his one.

We're probably going to find out soon that it is some whorey neon sign transformer requiring lamp anyway :bleh:
don't think the chances are more, just don't think the hype around RCD's is telling people the truth.
Been a sparky for 33 years and it's always entertaining what people's ideas are...

[BoristheBiter]

Or, more correctly, from the bonnet, as we call it here in New Zealand.

like this

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_66ZGUZO5k64/SVzyiBUrJKI/AAAAAAAACEQ/skf5RoGec9U/s320/coif_Black_NewCotton_front.jpg

[avgas]

Still no photo, still half cocked comments about how it should be setup.

For all we know its an OLED table lamp that runs on hopes, dreams and kittens.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s108/voyatzer/february08/mariannemaric3.jpg

[Usarka]

http://www.moillusions.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/lamp.jpg

I haven't seen it - it's a friend who's asked me, but it sounds like a vintage thing. I took the easy route based on the replies and said "too hard!".

[avgas]

don't think the chances are more, just don't think the hype around RCD's is telling people the truth.
Been a sparky for 33 years and it's always entertaining what people's ideas are...
***Shudders recalling a conversation where he was told an RCD is just a resettable fuse****
I hear that.
But in saying that I do enjoy using an RCD. Saved my ass a few times.

[avgas]

I haven't seen it - it's a friend who's asked me, but it sounds like a vintage thing. I took the easy route based on the replies and said "too hard!".
That lamp is errect!
Shame about your friends one........its actually not too hard, it most likely is a case of putting a new plug on it. Seeing as 99% of the stuff that comes into NZ is like that.
But the scare mongerers on this site would never admit to that...........

[davereid]

RCD's aren't worth 'a cunt full of cold snow' when it comes to stopping a phase nuetral shock path, only an earth fault besides who wants a bright orange RCD in their lounge.
Maybe the table lamp has some character that Usarka would like to keep?

As a human being, if you are forming a phase - neutral circuit, there will often be enough flow to earth via your body to trip one of the new 15mA RCDs.

Your body need only provide a parallel path of 15k ohms or less and the breaker will trip.

Assuming the electric current from phase to neutral has punctured your skin, your body has a resistance of only a few hundred ohms.

Even if you are insulated by clothing or footwear your body will sometimes have sufficient capacitance to earth to trip a good RCD - thats why you can get an electric shock touching a single live wire with one hand even in gum boots.

So they still provide some protection.

But, best you get someone you don't like to test it for you.

[unstuck]

Quoted Embedded Image Removed

I haven't seen it - it's a friend who's asked me, but it sounds like a vintage thing. I took the easy route based on the replies and said "too hard!".

Looks like a sheila on her back with her legs in the air wearing a G string.:shit:

[pete376403]

Useful stuff to know http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/upload/33456/ECP50v18.pdf

I note that it doesn't make any mention of twisting the US plug blades to make them fit an NZ socket so that part of my previous post should be ignored.

also with regard to cable size, if a 100 watt bulb (pretty bright in a table lamp) was used, on our (nominally)230 volt supply that would be drawing less than half an amp (and about half the current drawn by a 100watt bulb on 110v US system) - nifty calculator here http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm.

[jonbuoy]

What if its using a 12v halogen bulb with a dimmer :dodge:

[pete376403]

Suppose it depends where the transformer is located in the circuit.

[jonbuoy]

Suppose it depends where the transformer is located in the circuit.

Transformer? Not likely these days. I was just taking the piss anyway mate.