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

[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]

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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.

[pete376403]

Useful stuff to know http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/uplo...6/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

[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.