13 Amp 240V socket installation in disabled toilet

[Essex_]

I think H&S is being used as a red herring here, these service guy's are supposed to be trained personel, but incapable of disconnecting a fused outlet unit, beggars belief!!!

The easiest way to get these service contractors to honour the manufacturers warranty is to go to the CAB who will contact the said company and inform them that they are in contradiction of consumer rights law. It's NOT the manufactures that throw this crap up, it's their contracted out service companies.

I've never seen any appliance manufacturer's warranty data, stating that removal of the supplied plug top, will void its warranty, basically because it would be in breach of UK's consumer law...

Any appliance that has been connected to the main supply via a connection method recognised and in accordance with BS7671, it's warranty cannot be voided, it's as simple as that.

It does seem strange that these 'engineers' are not 'allowed' to disconnect from a FCU. Surely while testing/fault finding they will need to work live anyway so it cannot be a H&S reason as that would make no sense.

Way off topic.

 

[UNG]

fcu feeding socket below

pleases everyone

Really I think you need to read all the posts in this thread to catch up

 

[Engineer54]

A lot of companies will not allow their staff to disconnect an appliance from a spur unit as they don't want any liability for the fixed installation or any related claims from the work they carry out involving it, disconnecting the appliance from the spur may / will involve isolating the circuit which may affect other appliances within the property, they want a simple job and the manufacturers use this to frighten people into not removing the plug. Yes they may be trained personnel but they don't want the aggro and exactly what are they trained to undertake

I'll say it again, this is nothing to do with the Manufacturer's!! It's the contracted service providers...

If you read most of these manufactures data/warranty sheets, it will clearly state somewhere in the blurb, that connection to the mains supply is to conform to the standards of the country in which it is to be used. Most of these white goods are available in many different countries, they tend to often use translations from the country of origin, then add the cover all clause, similar to that i've mentioned here....

Anyway, the Fact remains, chopping off a factory fitted plug top does NOT void any manufacturer's warranty. If it's not fit for purpose then it must be repaired or replaced to the manufacturers cost!!

The ONLY time it may void a warranty is if DIY dave has been at it, and made a complete pig's ear of a connection, that can be deemed as Dangerous....

 

[Essex_]

I'll say it again, this is nothing to do with the Manufacturer's!! It's the contracted service providers...

If you read most of these manufactures data/warranty sheets, it will clearly state somewhere in the blurb, that connection to the mains supply is to conform to the standards of the country in which it is to be used. Most of these white goods are available in many different countries, they tend to often use translations from the country of origin, then add the cover all clause, similar to that i've mentioned here....

Anyway, the Fact remains, chopping off a factory fitted plug top does NOT void any manufacturer's warranty. If it's not fit for purpose then it must be repaired or replaced to the manufacturers cost!!

The ONLY time it may void a warranty is if DIY dave has been at it, and made a complete pig's ear of a connection, that can be deemed as Dangerous....

What if the plug is under warranty?

 

[Engineer54]

I dare say it would be, while it's still attached to the appliance, can't really ask them to replace it once it's been dispensed with in order to connect the appliance to a FCU or CCU, can you!! ...lol!!

 

[ian.settle1]

What hasnt been pointed out is that a macerator should be installed on an unswitched fused spur

What macerator?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I don't understand why there are so many low level FCUs?
i would have posistioned them high up out of reach and away from the source of water.

 

[UNG]

I'll say it again, this is nothing to do with the Manufacturer's!! It's the contracted service providers...

If you read most of these manufactures data/warranty sheets, it will clearly state somewhere in the blurb, that connection to the mains supply is to conform to the standards of the country in which it is to be used. Most of these white goods are available in many different countries, they tend to often use translations from the country of origin, then add the cover all clause, similar to that i've mentioned here....

Anyway, the Fact remains, chopping off a factory fitted plug top does NOT void any manufacturer's warranty. If it's not fit for purpose then it must be repaired or replaced to the manufacturers cost!!

The ONLY time it may void a warranty is if DIY dave has been at it, and made a complete pig's ear of a connection, that can be deemed as Dangerous....

You keep on making this assumption that all servicing and warranty work work is carried out by contractors and not the manufacturer I don't believe this is the case and have experience of a mixture of both carrying out the warranty work

I agree with you that cutting a plug off and using another method of connection should not and does not void the warranty.
I suspect you have been out of the UK too long to see first hand the crap the UK has become mired in at grass roots level, The "where there is blame there is a claim culture" has created a litigation driven society and has reinforced peoples and manufacturers reluctance to get involved more than they have to, a plug is a simple and easy uncomplicated disconnection / isolation device that requires no interaction with the fixed wiring within the premises and reduces the risk of any litigation should a fault in the fixed wiring occur at that point in the future.
It could also be that the manufacturers / contractor do not have the necessary liability insurances to disconnect appliances from spurs.
I'm not trying to defend the manufacturers stance here but merely educate you to the facts of how the UK works or does not work these days with the onerous finger pointing when a problem occurs

 

[Engineer54]

I'd go as far as saying that 90% if not more of manufacturers today, use contracted service agents, rather than having their own in-house service dept's....

I would find it highly unlikely that manufactures wouldn't be fully aware of any consumer laws that are in force in any of the countries where they market their products. I also find it strange that any Field service operatives are not fully/adequately covered by company liability insurance.

It's not just the UK where the ''where there is blame there is a claim culture" has created a litigation driven society'' This is almost global nowadays, certainly in continental Europe where most of these so-called white goods are manufactured. But i do understand what you're saying above...

 

[Plonker 3]

How can a set of manufacturers instructions over rule comsumer law?

 

[shanky887614]

I'd go as far as saying that 90% if not more of manufacturers today, use contracted service agents, rather than having their own in-house service dept's....

I would find it highly unlikely that manufactures wouldn't be fully aware of any consumer laws that are in force in any of the countries where they market their products. I also find it strange that any Field service operatives are not fully/adequately covered by company liability insurance.

It's not just the UK where the ''where there is blame there is a claim culture" has created a litigation driven society'' This is almost global nowadays, certainly in continental Europe where most of these so-called white goods are manufactured. But i do understand what you're saying above...

How can a set of manufacturers instructions over rule comsumer law?

they know the rules they just pretend they dont exist till you contest it then they give in.

ive had it with companies before and as soon as you mention the relevent regulations/rights etc they usually back down

 

[Engineer54]

Originally Posted by Dillb
How can a set of manufacturers instructions over rule comsumer law?

They Don't, and i doubt if any manufacturers instructions/data etc, will state anything contrary to standing consumer laws of the country the appliance is sold/marketed in....

 

[Engineer54]

they know the rules they just pretend they dont exist till you contest it then they give in.

ive had it with companies before and as soon as you mention the relevent regulations/rights etc they usually back down

And why people, especially qualified electricians should never fall for the ''warranty is void'' crap if a factory fitted plug top is removed for an alternative recognised means of connection to the mains supply.

But i'm sure it won't be too long , before someone else here will again pipe up and come out the same old, same O, ....you can't chop off an appliance plug top, cause you'll void the warranty!!

 

[UNG]

I'd go as far as saying that 90% if not more of manufacturers today, use contracted service agents, rather than having their own in-house service dept's....

I would find it highly unlikely that manufactures wouldn't be fully aware of any consumer laws that are in force in any of the countries where they market their products. I also find it strange that any Field service operatives are not fully/adequately covered by company liability insurance.

It's not just the UK where the ''where there is blame there is a claim culture" has created a litigation driven society'' This is almost global nowadays, certainly in continental Europe where most of these so-called white goods are manufactured. But i do understand what you're saying above...

The small print on policies these days may not cover them to remove a spur unit to disconnect the appliance

 

[Engineer54]

The small print on policies these days may not cover them to remove a spur unit to disconnect the appliance

It's not only FCU's!!
Then you can't really call them ''field service'' operatives then, and are probably failing to fulfil/provide warranty terms, unless it's specifically stated in it's warranty terms and conditions...