Christmas Tree Lights and Nightlight Prohibited - Media Statement
[ Last Updated 8 March 2006 ]
The Energy Safety Service of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has prohibited a Christmas tree lighting set and a nightlight that pose potential fire and electric shock hazards.
The Energy Safety Service is warning people who have bought these electrical products to destroy them or return them to the retailer for a refund. These products were sold through discount and low-price chain stores.
The prohibited Christmas tree lighting set is a decorative lighting set comprising 50 small coloured incandescent lights wired in a series configuration and connected to a 2 pin parallel, "tapon" plug arrangement. The plug and wire insulation are dark green, with the plug bearing either the marking "125V3A" or "220V3A". These are sold contained in unmarked plastic bags with a retail price of less than $5.00.
The prohibited nightlight is one contained in a blister pack identified on the packaging as a "Fari Electron Nightlight". The appliance is marked "Long Wei 220V AC 50/60Hz 1W" and has plug pins which can be rotated to accommodate various socket outlet configurations.
These products do not meet New Zealand’s electricity regulations. They both use plugs that are not suitable for use in New Zealand and could give rise to an electric shock hazard when used in a standard New Zealand socket outlet due to inadequate clearance distances around the pins of the plug. In addition, they are marked with an operating voltage that is not compatible with the New Zealand electricity supply voltage.
The lighting set also has insulation on the wires that is not suitable for use at normal New Zealand voltage (230 volts) and is not supplied with instructions for safe use. The nightlight has inadequate mechanical strength to prevent the dislodgement of the plug pins – potentially exposing live parts.
Electricity regulations require products to carry certain markings and warnings, for example, the name of the manufacturer or supplier, the rated voltage and current, etc. Products that do not carry any markings or warnings, may be an electrical hazard and should not be used.
The prohibitions take effect from 16 December 2002. They ban the manufacture, importation, sale, installation and use of the Christmas tree lighting set and the nightlight. Anyone who breaches the prohibition would be in non-compliance with the Electricity Regulations 1997 and could be liable for a fine of up to $10,000.
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