110/230 connundrum

[matt1978]

Yeah I know it was because of the extension cables etc as to why its frowned upon or banned, but nothing is more dangerous than 415v and thats not a problem. They could of made is manadortory to have no longer than 10 meter extension cables and they must be made from armour flex aswell as the thing you mentioned about the RCD.

Its just pathetic in my opinion that all of us supposed Westernised countries don't have a standard that everyone follows regarding this.

I know workshops that don't allow 230v, only 115v and 415v and I am sure thats just because whoever is in charge is unsure of the laws reagrding 230v and power-tools.

 

[brightspark]

Yeah I know it was because of the extension cables etc as to why its frowned upon or banned, but nothing is more dangerous than 415v and thats not a problem. They could of made is manadortory to have no longer than 10 meter extension cables and they must be made from armour flex aswell as the thing you mentioned about the RCD.

Its just pathetic in my opinion that all of us supposed Westernised countries don't have a standard that everyone follows regarding this.

I know workshops that don't allow 230v, only 115v and 415v and I am sure thats just because whoever is in charge is unsure of the laws reagrding 230v and power-tools.

workshops dont allow 230v powertools because the simple fact is the short flexes on grinders portable drills ect canot be fitted with braded flex and used with 13 amp plug .a big safety isue in a fabrication shop . ive dropped metal in my workshop and sliced leads before .415volt apliances in a workshop enviroment pose no problem .eg welders portable hoists mobile jacks ect ect. there wired in braided pvc flex with ceeflex industrial plugs atached so no chance of mechanical damage . if u saw half the sh .,.//.t i see i think your opinion would change. one example i was working in a steelstockholders the guy was happily cleaning his wagon of with a 240v powerwasher. the lead was chaffed run across the yard into an unprotected socket that was getting splashed . i rest my case

 

[Dogbreath23]

so power tools have to be 115(this I know already) but the regs as far as welding kit goes is a bit vague. Do I get a duel voltage unit or what?Or do I get 240 and fit an RCD to the lead?

 

[matt1978]

I am not talking about 13 amp household appliances, I am talking about proper industrial 16 amp Blue sockets. AFAIK all of the "Quality" 230v welding machines sold in the UK are specified to run on a 16 amp supply anyway, not 13 amp.

I know very little about electrical laws and regulations, you'll know more than I ever could on that score, so please don't feel like I am challenging you regarding that, I am just voicing an opinion born out of frustration really.

If 230v on construction sites was responsible for many deaths and severe injurys anually, I am sure the rest of Europe would of followed the UK's lead regarding this, but they never have.

Its just the lack of consitancy I am talking about, such as why we are so different to rest of Europe.

They have 16 amp sockets in the house as standard, we have 13 amps.....they allow 230v sockets in bath and shower rooms, but your lucky to find a shaver charger in ours........they allow 230v on construction sites, we don't........they have 400v 3-ph in most house's garages, where as its practically un-heard of here.......they deem in dangerous to be able to draw more than 16 amps from a 230v supply, where we can get over 100 amps??

 

[the artfull-codger]

Quite right brightspark,in fact ICI at billingham & wilton sites would only allow 50 volt portable equipment years ago before they changed to 110volts,& before anyone decrys the power of 50 volt drills, I have 2 wolf drills identical models in every respect exept one is 240 volts & the other is 50 volts they both have similar power,& the transformer is about 1/4 the size of a yellow average 110 volt transformer



slan go fol

 

[Dogbreath23]

Ive just looked on the HSE site and couldnt find anything,lots of stuff about fume risk tho' (coff coff)

 

[brightspark]

230 110 v

for many years 110 center tap earthed has been encouraged in harsh enviroments .as on construction sites . it was a uk initiative .but the rest of europe is on 230 v. if responsible individuals specify low voltage to be used it must be made clear that the requirements is dependent on the enviroment and is therefore a site desicion for the use of 110v systems . in the uk it is not compulsory under the law so there u have it