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?

 

[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.