Ministry bans sale of Universal Adaptors Ministry of Economic Development officials have banned the import, sale, distribution and use a type of travel plug known as a "Universal Adaptor" or "all-in-one adaptor", two years after retailers began selling them.
They say the adaptors are unsafe as they do not offer adequate protection from contact with live parts, carrying a charge of 230 volts.
"Energy Safety is concerned about this style and type of adaptor, particularly as they may be used at skirting board level and could be easily accessible to small children and infants," said Richard Lamb, the ministry's energy safety compliance officer.
The adaptors have been sold through tourist gift shops and pharmacies and on online auction sites such as Trade Me. It is believed they first appeared in late 2007.
Plug adaptors are intended for use by overseas travellers with small low power personal appliances, such as a cellphone charger, laptop computers, or battery charger for camera equipment.
"Energy Safety's advice is do not use these universal adaptors, return them to where you purchased them and seek a refund," Mr Lamb said.
The ministry has put full description and pictures of the dangerous adaptors, on its website -
www.energysafety.govt.nz - under gazette and prohibition notices.
