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| Thread ID: 105001 | 2009-11-15 21:26:00 | UK light switch compliance | 2hijinx (15434) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 830526 | 2009-11-15 21:26:00 | Can anyone help with advise on any issues that might arrise from using UK light switches in NZ, seems to be a crap selection of switches a vailable in NZ. | 2hijinx (15434) | ||
| 830527 | 2009-11-15 21:34:00 | Can you point to an example of the switch you want to use? | PaulD (232) | ||
| 830528 | 2009-11-15 23:23:00 | Can you point to an example of the switch you want to use? That isn't the right question. The real issue is whether UK light switches manufactured to BS EN 60669-2-1 2004 ( www.standardsdirect.org ), also conform to switches built to AS/NZS 3133 2008............... Approval and test specification – Air-break switches – revised Standard AS/NZS 3133:2008 specifies general and safety requirements for air-break switches having current ratings not exceeding 125 A for use in electrical circuits and equipment operating at low voltage but not exceeding 500 V and intended for household or similar use and for use in indoor and outdoor electrical installations. This Standard does not apply to cord-line switches as defined in AS/NZS 3127. Supersedes AS/NZS 3133:2003. www.standards.co.nz They most likely do, or exceed the AS/NZS Further Google reveals an application to harmonise AS/NZS to IEC 60669-1 with minimal alterations for AS/NZ Edit: years ago before user pays, one could have just walked into DSIR library and asked to read the standards. Now standards organisations all over are determined to keep this information from the hoi polloi by extortionate charging, like 120 GB pounds to buy the British Standard |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 830529 | 2009-11-15 23:25:00 | They are, unfortunately, backward switches, and may be tainted with Lucas. | R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 830530 | 2009-11-15 23:47:00 | They wont be backward.....could be upside down coming from the antipodes though...... The URL for the consideration of adopting IEC 60669 is: www.standards.org.au I'd have thought the main consideration is whether dimensionally they will fit NZ back boxes, in particular the screw hole spacings. AFAIK, generally in the past BS electrical standards like for wall sockets and switches (the 3 pin 13A type ) have also been acceptable here. Of course Billy T wouldn't agree, according to him all British product is crap.............. |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 830531 | 2009-11-16 00:19:00 | That isn't the right question. It is for me. The desired switch has to look suitably impressive compared to locally available models to justify the original post :D |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 830532 | 2009-11-16 00:47:00 | Maybe a troll. :) |
Trev (427) | ||
| 830533 | 2009-11-16 07:26:00 | I've seen UK sockets in the electrical wholesalers, maybe they do switches too | Phil B (648) | ||
| 830534 | 2009-11-16 07:29:00 | Maybe a troll. :) No, not at all, a perfectly valid question. Here are some more answers.... UK light switches and corresponding 'back boxes' are different sizes to those in NZ. The UK boxes, single gang, according to whether metal, plastic, surface mount or recessed are around 70x70mm to 83x83 mm square, and the screw hole spacing is 60.3mm www.astra247.com The traditional NZ box single gang, metal is around 95mm x 50mm and the screw holes are around 84mm spacing. www.pdl.co.nz The so-called data sheets on the PDL site do not have dimensions for boxes.....great....eg. www.pdlglobal.com So if UK switches are bought, the boxes are needed too. It may be possible to buy them here, PDL manufacture for global markets including the UK to BS 60669 |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 830535 | 2009-11-16 07:41:00 | Which way is 'on' on a UK switch? I have a feeling that up is on? If that is the case, then you can't use them. I remember reading something in the wiring rules that states that up always has to be off. Except for RCD's. |
pine-o-cleen (2955) | ||
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