Question for sparkies

**Paul in NZ** · 14th June 2013, 17:44

Just a clarification of a rumour please....

One of the girls has some used light fittings she was going to get her sparky mate to put up in her place. Apparently thats a no no unless the appliance / device comes with the original handbook / instructions etc. Apparently to do with liability re insurance etc....

Why do I care? Well I loves me gurls but miss Vicki has her eyes on a night store heater on trademe. Our house was built with a night store outlet / twin meters etc etc back in the day and its just a case of hooking one up BUT...... Not such a bargain if it can't be legally installed.

**scissorhands** · 14th June 2013, 18:09

I used to be a sparky... as long as an earth wire is there if the light fittings are a metal fitting, is probably the important issue

Second hand fittings are legal to sell and buy so.....

I could be wrong as I'm out of the game now

**saxet** · 14th June 2013, 18:37

If I remember correctly this comes in on the 1st July.
Any equipment connected to the mains needs a certificate that it is compliant with NZ standards OR a link on the C.O.C. to a website that states the compliance.
I think this only applies to equipment connected permanently to the power.
The heater you mention is an appliance so does not require a C.O.C. in the first place.

Even so any electrical equipment must comply with NZ standards to be sold.
Most appliances are therefore compliant as the original seller (shop) has ensured this, Bunnings or Mitre10 have got into trouble over this.

As a very general guide, if it's a known brand it's pretty safe.

**mashman** · 14th June 2013, 19:00

If he's a sparky, get him to put it in. If it goes tits for some exceptionally obscure reason (he's a professional, a light fitting isn't a complicated mechanism), deal with it then. I'm surprised all of our houses haven't burned to the ground before now.

**blackdog** · 14th June 2013, 19:07

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Why do I care? Well I loves me gurls but miss Vicki has her eyes on a night store heater on trademe. Our house was built with a night store outlet / twin meters etc etc back in the day and its just a case of hooking one up BUT...... Not such a bargain if it can't be legally installed.

Although the power is cheaper the nightstores were power gobblers iirc. (Edit: Maybe technology has moved on since.)

Originally Posted by saxet

If I remember correctly this comes in on the 1st July.
Any equipment connected to the mains needs a certificate that it is compliant with NZ standards OR a link on the C.O.C. to a website that states the compliance.
I think this only applies to equipment connected permanently to the power.
The heater you mention is an appliance so does not require a C.O.C. in the first place.

I think they are usually hardwired? (no 3 point plug)

**Paul in NZ** · 14th June 2013, 19:57

Originally Posted by blackdog

Although the power is cheaper the nightstores were power gobblers iirc. (Edit: Maybe technology has moved on since.)
I think they are usually hardwired? (no 3 point plug)

It was just a cheap option for a hallway where heat pump was 'difficult' and not used that much but you are correct. Night stores are generally hard wired therefore from 1st July it would likely be a nono

**James Deuce** · 14th June 2013, 20:09

**neels** · 14th June 2013, 20:32

It's an appliance if it connects to a power source with a 3 pin plug, it's an installation if it's fixed.

Appliances need to come tested to AS/NZS3760 if they're sold ready to plug in unless they are brand new, otherwise clearly stated as untested and not usable. Installations are tested when complete, and need to be certified by a sparky.

Can't say I've ever heard of needing to have the original instructions, all that is needed is the appropriate safety testing before use.

**blackdog** · 14th June 2013, 20:50

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

It was just a cheap option for a hallway where heat pump was 'difficult' and not used that much but you are correct. Night stores are generally hard wired therefore from 1st July it would likely be a nono

We put a 3 pin in the space and plugged in a night light for the kids. Shhh

.

**Coldrider** · 14th June 2013, 21:14

From 1st July ya need a Code of Compliance, Electrical Safety Certificate, a Declaration of Conformity and any manufactures connection instructions specific to the appliance. If the hard wired outlet already exists you won't need the Coc.

**neels** · 14th June 2013, 21:15

Originally Posted by blackdog

We put a 3 pin in the space and plugged in a night light for the kids. Shhh

.

As long as the fuse/breaker is the right rating, can't see why that's not legal. My brother did the same and plugged in an oil column heater with a timer in the winter to warm the hallway up on night rate power.

Night store heaters existed before heat pumps were cheap, to store heat on cheap night rate power, a bit redundant now. We just ripped out the night store in our house, at $1k for a 3kW heat pump it's a much cheaper option to run.

Originally Posted by Coldrider

From 1st July ya need a Code of Compliance, Electrical Safety Certificate, a Declaration of Conformity and any manufactures connection instructions specific to the appliance. If the hard wired outlet already exists you won't need the Coc.

Sounds like I should be reading some of that crap the EWRB keep sending me in the mail.....

**blackdog** · 14th June 2013, 21:22

Originally Posted by neels

As long as the fuse/breaker is the right rating, can't see why that's not legal. My brother did the same and plugged in an oil column heater with a timer in the winter to warm the hallway up on night rate power.

Night store heaters existed before heat pumps were cheap, to store heat on cheap night rate power, a bit redundant now. We just ripped out the night store in our house, at $1k for a 3kW heat pump it's a much cheaper option to run.

Sounds like I should be reading some of that crap the EWRB keep sending me in the mail.....

Erm, pretty sure it's not Kosher running anything from a second meter if it wasn't wired in for that purpose.

Meh, I've been wrong before.

**blackdog** · 14th June 2013, 21:23

Originally Posted by Coldrider

From 1st July ya need a Code of Compliance, Electrical Safety Certificate, a Declaration of Conformity and any manufactures connection instructions specific to the appliance. If the hard wired outlet already exists you won't need the Coc.

Schweeet. Go for it Paul!

Edit... Why not run the genny and compressor from it

**Daffyd** · 14th June 2013, 21:36

Originally Posted by neels

It's an appliance if it connects to a power source with a 3 pin plug, it's an installation if it's fixed.

Not quite correct... If it has a 3 pin plug it is a PORTABLE appliance. If it is wired direct it is a FIXED appliance.

**pete376403** · 14th June 2013, 21:41

Originally Posted by Coldrider

From 1st July ya need a Code of Compliance, Electrical Safety Certificate, a Declaration of Conformity and any manufactures connection instructions specific to the appliance. If the hard wired outlet already exists you won't need the Coc.

This is going to pretty much kill the market for second hand appliances - who keeps manufacturers installation /connection instructions?