Moves to plug the standards gap

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 9

Moves to plug the standards gap

New Zealand and Australia may have a lot in common, but they still have not standardised electrical plugs. A "summit” of technical advisers from the two countries’ respective Standards Associations will be held in Sydney next week at which an attempt will be made to try to standardise the ■safety design of three-pin plugs. The problem was highlighted this week when New Zealand Industrial Gases began recalling Australian-made CIG Metalcraft welding machines which had been imported by New Zealand Industrial Gases and marketed through the Placemakers chain of hardware stores. A spokesman for

N.Z.I.G. said that the Metalcraft welders, which are small, portable welders used by home handymen, were supplied with Australian plastic snaplock plugs. N.Z.I.G. began recalling the 240 welders that had gone on to the market after it was advised by the Electricity Division of the Ministry of Energy that the Australian plugs did not comply with the New Zealand Standards Association standard. The Ministry has a statutory obligation to see that electrical goods comply with the standards.

A spokesman for N.Z.I.G. said that there was no significant risk with the Australian plugs but N.Z.I.G. had taken a responsible approach by recalling the welders and

changing the plugs. Future imports would have New Zealand standard plugs.

The New Zealand Standards Association’s senior technical adviser, Mr Colin Hooker, said from Wellington yesterday that both countries were revising their standards for electrical plugs. The intention of the two technical committees was to get the standards as close as possible.

Mr Hooker said that at present Australia allowed very soft “floppy” plugs which allowed movement; of the pins and also allowed plugs which could; be unscrewed while still: in the electrical socket.; The New Zealand stand-. 1 ard made it impossible for this to occur.