Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 10, 2017 8:28 pm Hi I'm building a house at present and am looking to put in light switches a little fancier than your standard white clipsals, but don't really want to pay the huge price some of the locally availible higher end product costs. Can anyone tell me what the legislation is like around importing electrical switches from overseas? There's some really nice product available with great reviews for not many $$ (like - https://item.jd.com/10162323553.html ) , but I don't want to get in a situation where I have a fire and the insurance company tells me I breached some electrical legislation and therefore aren't covered. Any inputs will be highly appreciated Re: Importing Light switches 3Oct 10, 2017 9:14 pm sajidmib That was my idea as well but had to go with clipsals, the builders upgrade which is rip off will be the only way to have fancy switches, but u can import plumbing stuff if its straight forward. Thanks Sajid for the response. I am curious to understand what made you go with clipsal? are there any formal legislation/certification required for Australian standard? Re: Importing Light switches 6Oct 10, 2017 10:19 pm I was planning to buy only light switches, the sockets could still be clipsals (chinese sockets are different, they need all three pins inserted unlike our two pin plugs). For a switch i was looking at a cost of abt $12 - $15. Re: Importing Light switches 8Oct 10, 2017 11:59 pm Yes, everything. You can get dimming switches at about US$10 on average + shipping. Here is an example: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... 79a1dGavHi Importing Light switches 9Oct 11, 2017 2:00 pm alexp79 Yes, everything. You can get dimming switches at about US$10 on average + shipping. Here is an example: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... 79a1dGavHi Stupid alibaba won’t let me look at anything but an ad for their iPad app, but I see the attraction as a Clipsal Saturn single light switch will set you back a minimum of around $45, and even more for others. There are a few Glass look-a-likes for cheaper though. Truthfully, while the price of the imported ones looks attractive, I think it would be a false economy if they were not certified for use here. Moreover, you might not be able to find an electrician that will touch them. Lastly, look at what happened to London's Grenfell Tower fire because of the use of incorrectly imported materials - an extreme example I know, but a cautionary tale nonetheless. Re: Importing Light switches 10Oct 11, 2017 2:57 pm Clipsal seems to be a monopolist on "anything-other-than-plain" market. I agree, you would need SAA approval for all imported electrical products and therefore, have to carefully select the vendors and make sure that they are certified (this can checked electronically http://www.saaapprovals.com.au/certifie ... -register/). You would run into exactly the same issue as if you decide to import appliances from overseas. Re: Importing Light switches 11Oct 11, 2017 4:50 pm If you can fill up a small container Ex China with Cabinets, Glazing, Floor finishes Taps, etc it's certainly worth the savings..which can run up tens of thousand$ , Taps Discussed here if you are in Perth leave a PM we can get you through completed build fitouts Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Importing Light switches 12Oct 11, 2017 4:55 pm There is also http://ship-your-reno.com/ service available in Brisbane/GC area, but they ask $2K to be paid to them before they introduce you to their suppliers. If it is a big house, may be worth the savings. Re: Importing Light switches 13Oct 11, 2017 5:36 pm $ 2k Commission for an introduction that's laughable ..better to use alibaba or (we) use reliable shipping agents in china.The biggest problem that the buyers have is AS compliance Certification, inspections and proper installation, etc... we handle all that. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Importing Light switches 14Oct 12, 2017 3:50 pm da_scud sajidmib That was my idea as well but had to go with clipsals, the builders upgrade which is rip off will be the only way to have fancy switches, but u can import plumbing stuff if its straight forward. Thanks Sajid for the response. I am curious to understand what made you go with clipsal? are there any formal legislation/certification required for Australian standard? Just that is the only standard here in AU And don’t risk fancy stuff as it will cost more in future if insurance finds put imported electrical stuff was used, clear rejection of claims Re: Importing Light switches 15Oct 12, 2017 5:19 pm sajidmib da_scud sajidmib That was my idea as well but had to go with clipsals, the builders upgrade which is rip off will be the only way to have fancy switches, but u can import plumbing stuff if its straight forward. Thanks Sajid for the response. I am curious to understand what made you go with clipsal? are there any formal legislation/certification required for Australian standard? Just that is the only standard here in AU And don’t risk fancy stuff as it will cost more in future if insurance finds put imported electrical stuff was used, clear rejection of claims If it is SAA cleared/approved, there should be no issue. I would assume that 80%+ of electricals/appliances in Australian houses are imported. Re: Importing Light switches 16Oct 12, 2017 6:43 pm Thanks all. I am contemplating at getting a SAA approval done for 1K , if I can convince few other friends of mine who are building a new home to contribute as well. Does anyone have an experience on the SAA approval? Re: Importing Light switches 17Oct 17, 2017 5:23 pm da_scud Thanks all. I am contemplating at getting a SAA approval done for 1K , if I can convince few other friends of mine who are building a new home to contribute as well. Does anyone have an experience on the SAA approval? My understanding that SAA approval can only be done by the manufacturer or distributor and it will require a lot of detailed technical documentation and extensive laboratory testing of the product, which will be likely costing many tens of thousands per SKU. $1000 is just an SAA fee, but you would have to provide them all the valid reports and certifications as well as extensive technical documentation, which, manufacturer, will be unlikely sharing with anyone. Shelly switches require a paid subscription for full access to all features which is ridiulous given the lifespan of a home and if you were to sell it or buy a home with… 2 4515 Hi - thanks for your reply. Yes I think 'Ill go for whitish with very speckly bits rather than pure white something like this. PS was actually 2008 I built the… 2 11694 That was always going to be a challenge and a test of patience. Full marks to your mate. Did you discuss the wet area near the trampoline? 16 17361 |