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.

この製品はもう利用できません。

この製品はもう利用できません。

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.

 

[loz2754]

This is quite interesting:

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

 

[DPG]

This is quite interesting:

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

I read something about that years ago but had forgotten all about it. How many people were aware of it I wonder? Honest answers ?

 

[stevethesparks]

This is quite interesting:

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

But what are the requirements for BS EN 61558-2-5 - without forking out £137

 

[loz2754]

The requirements are basically mentioned in the article, though not in great detail.

 

[stevethesparks]

I was more interested in the double insulated type
I wonder what type of core would be used, is there a material available that is both ferromagnetic and does not conduct electricity? Was interested as in my first post (and wrongly) expected a cpc connection in case of a fault.

 

[DPG]

I was more interested in the double insulated type
I wonder what type of core would be used, is there a material available that is both ferromagnetic and does not conduct electricity? Was interested as in my first post (and wrongly) expected a cpc connection in case of a fault.

But the windings are not in electrical contact with the iron former.

 

[stevethesparks]

But surely there is always the possibility in a fault situation
Particularly with the cheap version on the cabinet mentioned - hence my curiosity about the requirements.

 

[loz2754]

Class II construction is designed to be robust enough to prevent any exposed posts becoming live.
That's if it's made to standard standards!

 

[stevethesparks]

Again, what are the standards?

 

[DPG]

Again, what are the standards?

Class II is either two lots of insulation (of which air may be one I believe) or one lot of reinforced insulation which is equivalent in safety to the 2 lots.

 

[loz2754]

From the Code of Practice for In Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment:

 

[DPG]

From the Code of Practice for In Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment:
View attachment 65240View attachment 65241View attachment 65242View attachment 65239

Same as what I said. Admittedly they put more work into it and drew some pictures ?

 

[stevethesparks]

would still like to see the requirements for BS EN 61558-2-5

 

[loz2754]

would still like to see the requirements for BS EN 61558-2-5

Cough up the £137?

 

[stevethesparks]

I didn't think it possible but the bsi shop are worse than the IET.