when is a cat 2 fittin not a cat 2 . . . .

lurch · Dec 8, 2017

more and more I am coming across fittings that are marked up cat 2 double insulated when there clearly surrounded with metal. Had a customer supplied fitting with metal base and a cowel that was powder coated alumininium.... not an earth terminal in site!

DJ Ovengloves · Dec 8, 2017

The answer to your question is when it’s a fake / faulty or mislabelled. Being of a metal case means nothing.

Irons / kettles are class two devices...ther’re quite metally

westward10 · Dec 8, 2017

Never seen a Class 2 kettle.

multimick · Dec 8, 2017

westward10 said:
Never seen a Class 2 kettle.

tested 2 desk fans from china on monday, 3 core flex to metal fan ,no earth continuity anywhere,conformity stickers all over it, cut plugs off.

DJ Ovengloves · Dec 8, 2017

You haven’t lived

Anyhoo, my point, very badly put by pants examples

is that having a metal case does not preclude a device being class 2.

I shall now don my hat with a D and sit in the corner.

westward10 said:
Never seen a Class 2 kettle.

Marvo · Dec 8, 2017

Surely if a device is double insulated and deemed ClassII and the metal base measures > 20kohms to earth then it wouldn't need connecting to a CPC.... and the metal base would have no bearing on the appliances elegibility to qualify as ClassII?

westward10 · Dec 8, 2017

The fundamental requirement for double insulation is that no single failure will result in a shock risk. This can be achieved by two layers of insulation or a single layer of reinforced insulation. There is a certain manufacturer that produces metal cased class II convector heaters with no insulation between live parts and the casing which according to British Standards is not Class II. After much debate with Trading Standards many years ago I hit a brick wall that they were CE marked and met the standards required for the country of origin.

1Justin · Dec 8, 2017

There is a lot of ceiling lighting about, CE marked, which bears Class 2 markings, but relies on integrity of a single layer of thin walled plastic of a microscopic clip together JB loose inside metal pattress.
These are sold by big UK retailers, I don't understand how they get to be "Class 2" which they clearly aren't.

[ElectriciansForums.net] when is a cat 2 fittin not a cat 2 . . . .

davesparks · Dec 9, 2017

lurch said:
more and more I am coming across fittings that are marked up cat 2 double insulated when there clearly surrounded with metal. Had a customer supplied fitting with metal base and a cowel that was powder coated alumininium.... not an earth terminal in site!

Double insulated equipment can be made of metal, as long as there ‘double insulation’ between the metal and the live parts.

lurch · Dec 9, 2017

1Justin said:
There is a lot of ceiling lighting about, CE marked, which bears Class 2 markings, but relies on integrity of a single layer of thin walled plastic of a microscopic clip together JB loose inside metal pattress.
These are sold by big UK retailers, I don't understand how they get to be "Class 2" which they clearly aren't.
View attachment 39662

agreed . . . and that was the point I was making.