Re: Re-starting Problem

"Chris Whelan" <cawhelan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:85UDh.18115$mn2.11799@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cheemag wrote:

Nothing wrong with that; standard practice nowadays. (If they
connect the earth at all, that is.)


WTF?

WTF the WTF?

Standard practice to get all three cores on the wrong prongs;
fit the wrong fuses; leave earths disconnected; connect appliances
between line and earth ... I've seen the lot ...

I worked as an electrical technician for over 40 years, although not
specifically in the domestic area. It was certainly not "standard
practice"
for me!

I could count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times I have seen
such dangerous mis-connections.

Appliances intended for domestic use must have a BS1363 plug pre-fitted.
This has been the case since 1994, and has virtually eliminated such
incorrect wiring.

My dad got an electric shock from a toaster when he accidentally put his
fingers into the toast slot while picking it up. This was with the toaster
switched off at its own switch (though the wall socket was still on). It has
a moulded-on plug. A quick test with a testmeter showed that the element was
permanently live: the switch is in the neutral line :-( Either it's wired
wrongly inside or else the live and neutral wires have been swapped over
inside the plug. The one disadvantage with moulded plugs is that you can't
look inside to check the wiring or to correct it.

Amazingly, when my dad reported it to Trading Standards, they didn't want to
inspect it.

Unfortunately the toaster has very little in the way of
manufacturer/importer information. I can't remember whether it even has a CE
mark. Dad remembers buying it very cheaply at a petrol station.


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