UK Metal bathroom cabinet with inbuilt shaver socket not earthed

[amccormack]

I'm a pretty competent DIYer and always try to follow the relevant IEE/IET regs.

Recently I ordered an LED bathroom cabinet from Amazon to replace an existing broken LED cabinet (the mirror was broken). The new cabinet is made out of aluminium, has LED bulbs in the glass on the front and a shaver socket fitted inside.

Before installing it, I checked for earth continuity from the CPC (it uses 3-core 1mm flex) to the metal case on the new mirror and was surprised to find there wasn't one!

This drove my curiosity as to where the CPC was terminated. On removing the top panel, I found an OEM 240v->12v LED driver and mounted directly to the metal case, the 240v+110v isolating transformer for the shaver socket. The incoming 3-core is joined to the LED driver and the transformer by the use of wire nuts, wrapped in masking tape! The CPC just feeds the 12v LED driver.

In my naive mind, the wire nuts and isolating transforming primary windings have a risk of developing a fault, e.g. a wire coming loose, which could lead to the metal case becoming live.

It seems to me the cabinet is a Class I device but it's not portable, so I'm not sure if it counts.

Of course, I could retrospectively fit a CPC, but am I right to be concerned? Should this kind of thing be reported?

 

[westward10]

Purchasing electrical products from Amazon is likely to be very hit and miss in terms of quality and necessary standard compliances. Some pics would help so we can form an opinion.

 

[stevethesparks]

Agree with Post #2
Some so-called double insulated light fittings etc are dubious at best, but I cannot think of a reason that a shavers socket would not require a cpc. Even though they are an isolating transformer, the core should have a cpc in case of breakdown of insulation between the windings and to the core.

 

[MJPD29]

Lesson learnt. Dont purchase electrical products from unknown sellers on amazon.

 

[amccormack]

Purchasing electrical products from Amazon is likely to be very hit and miss in terms of quality and necessary standard compliances. Some pics would help so we can form an opinion.

I grabbed this quick image, so not particularly helpful.

I agree, buying no-brand electrical stuff via Amazon was probably not a good idea.

If it was you, would you just establish an earth via a bond to the case and forget about it or return it?

 

[stevethesparks]

Personally - return it

 

[DPG]

Out of interest, does it have the class II double insulated symbol on it? Not that I think it warrants one!

 

[amccormack]

Out of interest, does it have the class II double insulated symbol on it? Not that I think it warrants one!

Nope - that's what I'd hope to find before taking it apart.

I'm guessing the use of loose wire nuts outside of an insulated enclosure means it couldn't be class II?

 

[stevethesparks]

Do you have a link for the Amazon item?

 

[amccormack]

Do you have a link for the Amazon item?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07X652KQ8

 

[stevethesparks]

Out of interest, does it have the class II double insulated symbol on it? Not that I think it warrants one!

It cant be Double Insulated it must be class 1 as there is a cpc. But what the cpc actually protects I'm not too sure. The tape alone over the connections looks RAF and no additional insulation/protection on those crimp joints. It looks like a quick home workshop effort.
I bet you could have fun running a volt pen around it and feeling the almost static effect around the edges.

 

[DPG]

It cant be Double Insulated it must be class 1 as there is a cpc. But what the cpc actually protects I'm not too sure. The tape alone over the connections looks RAF and no additional insulation/protection on those crimp joints. It looks like a quick home workshop effort.
I bet you could have fun running a volt pen around it and feeling the almost static effect around the edges.

Good point, I'd forgot about that!

 

[stevethesparks]

but I cannot think of a reason that a shavers socket would not require a cpc. Even though they are an isolating transformer, the core should have a cpc in case of breakdown of insulation between the windings and to the core.

Unknown to me, there are apparently class II construction shavers sockets - my bad.
However, whether it complies and the CE mark etc are genuine or not, it still looks of very poor construction.

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m.japanese.alibaba.com

Socket Outlets For Shavers: What Do You Need To Consider?

There are two basic types of socket-outlet intended to supply an electric shaver: The type with a transformer, and The type without. With certain exceptions only the type with a transformer may be ins

professional-electrician.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07X652KQ8

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Does the transformer claim to be made to BS EN 61558-2-5 or even any recognised standard for isolating transformers?

I wonder what makes someone think: 'How do we make these wire nuts safer in case loose strands are poking out? Oh of course, masking tape, that's exactly the thing for the job...'

 

[stevethesparks]

Does the transformer claim to be made to BS EN 61558-2-5 or even any recognised standard for isolating transformers?

I wonder what makes someone think: 'How do we make these wire nuts safer in case loose strands are poking out? Oh of course, masking tape, that's exactly the thing for the job...'

I tried looking up the requirements of BS EN 61558-2-5 and the site wanted about £137 from me. Hence I'm still at a loss.