Approved Electrical Connections

[squadman]

I have been out to a installation where a previous company have installed a built in dishwasher which has now broken down, having removed the appliance it transpires that the previous ( engineer) has cut of the mains plug of the appliance and used barrel connectors to join the appliance to a power cord from a previous appliance with that cable being fitted behind units where the spur cannot be reached. The supply is switched and fused via a surface mount plate above the worktop.

My view is that this connection presents risk and possible does not meet with legal British Safety Standards ?

I have isolated the appliance explaining to the customer that I need to obtain further advise pending reconnection as I am not happy to make such a connection.

Anyone know how this stands ?

[timdowning]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

Can’t you just fit a 13 amp waterproof inline connector?

[Martin]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

What you you like Squady? Always have yourself a couple on the van especially for integrated appliance repairs where mice chew the mains cable.

[squadman]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

Thanks Guys, However that is not the question I was posing ? The machine is only a few weeks old hence it is still under warranty. The customer cannot get hold of the previous company and cannot find the receipt hence her call to me.
In the event of her finding that receipt and she summons the manufacturers service this will not be a warranty issue and I am sure that the attending engineer will quickly observe the situation.

Therefore what I am asking is this not subject to UK Plugs & Sockets Regulations 1994 and supplying in the course of business and also Penalties which states that it is an offence to supply devices or electrical equipment which do not comply with the Requirements, The Consumer Protection Act 1987, lays down penalties for an offence against safety regulations as made under Section 11 as imprisonment for up to six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale ( Currently £ 5000.00 ) or both !

I have such connections as described Martin and was not asking about how I might overcome this issue, but more as to the legalities of what has been done

[Martin]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

squadman wrote:Therefore what I am asking is this not subject to UK Plugs & Sockets Regulations 1994 and supplying in the course of business and also Penalties which states that it is an offence to supply devices or electrical equipment which do not comply with the Requirements,

You may well be right on that issue.

squadman wrote:The customer cannot get hold of the previous company and cannot find the receipt hence her call to me.

Brick wall #1 from the sound of it.

squadman wrote:In the event of her finding that receipt and she summons the manufacturers service this will not be a warranty issue and I am sure that the attending engineer will quickly observe the situation.

This is where I am confused as you mentioned “a previous company” created the misdeed so why should your customer, who at this stage cannot provide proof of any wrongdoing, want to “summons” the manufacturer? The guarantee will not be affected by this anyway so no worries there.

If I were you I would just fit the inline connector and make no further comment. Life’s too short mate! 😉

[squadman]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

I am not saying she is going to summon anyone, my points are hypothetical martin, 🙂 what If they did ? I am not saying what I am going to do , if anything, all I am saying is the connection made by this previous company illegal ? I think that it is and that it could well fall under the regs as previously outlined, also because this was fitted only weeks back then its reasonable to think the original installer done this misdeed. The customer is trying to find the receipt for this as simply she has mislaid it during building work

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Martin]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

squadman wrote: then its reasonable to think the original installer done this misdeed. The customer is trying to find the receipt for this as simply she has mislaid it during building work

A very reasonable assumption indeed. No doubt installed by Bodger & Blaggit Co Unlimited I shouldn’t wonder. 😀

[DrDill]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

Fit an approved junction box, then every one is happy, manufacturers will have no issue with plugs missing as long as the appliance can be issolated, built in appliances are nearly always hard wired.

I cant help bur think you are over complicating this and there is no just cause, so what if the last guy made a mess of it, as long as you do it properly you will have a customer for life.

Sent from my iPhone
http://www.kitchenkitsw.com

[squadman]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

I think Dr you have missed the mark of my original question, I am not pondering as to what to do to wire this correctly but am asking the question if what has been done is illegal and against the legislation evidently in force which some here may not be aware of.

Some may want to take a look at this as I suspect as suppliers of new appliances and in the course of service work this act would apply to us

http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file38628.pdf

[Martin]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

What had been done was not “illegal” and has no association with the legislation. It was bodged and you fixed it, job done! Appliances sold have and do conform within the regs, what happens when they are installed holds no relevance. Especially so as our trade is unregulated so any safety issues such as this can only be dealt with in the civil courts. However IMHO this example is so very trivial as to be of little consequence.

[DrDill]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

I haven’t missed the point, i do about a dozen replacement appliances a week where at least 3 of them will be bodged in wiring wise, all we do is install and connect safely and thats it job done, there is no one who we can report the original installer too who bodged it, and to be honest we wouldnt waste our time.
I really dont get what point you are trying to make, i really dont.

Sent from my iPhone
http://www.kitchenkitsw.com

[madangler1]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

Weird this only last week I turned up to pull out a Bi dishwasher to fit a new replacement under insurance , pulled the first plinth off and found on the floor rite next to the machine 2.5mm TE crimped with blue crimps to the cable from the old machine, No tape or protective cover just the 3 wires separated and crimped. after pulling out the machine this went to a single plat with a hole in the middle, Was only put in 2 years ago.

I was not impressed and showed the customer, hell it was on the floor any spilt water could have been a major safety issue, he got on the blower to the original spark and got him back, I popped off to other jobs and swung back in later, he was just leaving as I arrived. Now I am qualified but to 16th not 17th and got out that industry years ago but still help a few out now and then., I and mentioned it to him, I made it clear it may be legal its not bloody good to do with no protection and on the floor .

All he said was well it was on an RCD so no real problem.

Certainly wont recommend that bloke.

[squadman]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

I really dont get what point you are trying to make,

The Point I was making was that the use of Barrel connections do not conform to British Safety Standards or CE. Where a retailer supplies an appliance to a customer the manufacturer has ensured that they have conformed with those standards, along a careless installer in this particular case one and the same as the supplier, cut off the plug and used a means other than described.

The retailer / supplier/ Installing Engineer must have a Duty Of Care in the matter and what I was asking is if under UK Plugs & Sockets Regulations 1994 & The Consumer Protection Act 1987 that this could or would fall under those acts ? It really does not matter how many appliances you might install weekly or whatever and in all respect that is of no concern here.

So does anyone actually know the answer to my original questions as I am just interested to know the answer?

[Martin]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

I thought I gave it? :con:

No idea what “barrel connectors” are but even if he used chewing gum instead that individual was only negligent by his actions and did not contravene any official legislation.

[DrDill]

Re: Approved Electrical Connections

Exactly what martin said, you are looking to blame someone or confirm that whoever did the poor connection has broken the law, they havnt! Move on

Sent from my iPhone
http://www.kitchenkitsw.com

[Author]

Posts