Submersible Pumps Are Flawed
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Well I've been on construction sites for over 40 years and I've never seen a sign saying your welcome to use 230/240V tools on this site.
I have seen contractors thrown off site for not using 110V, I've even been on a site that was shut down because the main contractor had failed to provide 110V outlets around the site.
So where is it permitted, obviously to feed the 110V stations and cabins but where on site ?
just because there isnt a sign saying you can use 230 / 400v doesnt mean its illegal to do so
if the owner of the site only wants 110v, then your stuck with 110v
if the owner of the site only wants 110v, then your stuck with 110v
regardless of voltage, you should be giving the equipment a quick visual before using it anyway which should highlight the damaged cable, where it should then be taken out of service for repair.
From the HSE web site
Portable electrical equipment
Tools, plugs and cables designed for DIY and domestic use are not suitable for site conditions. You should use cordless tools or those that operate from a 110V centre tapped to earth (CTE) supply system so that the maximum voltage to earth does not exceed 55V.
Regularly inspect power tools and take them out of service if they are damaged. Tools should be serviced by qualified electricians. Do not do makeshift repairs.
Portable electrical equipment
Tools, plugs and cables designed for DIY and domestic use are not suitable for site conditions. You should use cordless tools or those that operate from a 110V centre tapped to earth (CTE) supply system so that the maximum voltage to earth does not exceed 55V.
Regularly inspect power tools and take them out of service if they are damaged. Tools should be serviced by qualified electricians. Do not do makeshift repairs.
there is no statutory law saying 230v cant be used. yes, 110v is recommended, but that does not make it illegal to use 230v
A visual check will all too likely fail to identify cable damage. Especially by a non trained site operative working in hazardous conditions. I wouldn't expect him to find the fault or the damage.
How many of you have had damaged cables and couldn't find the fault by a visual check alone?
I still say their design is flawed and not only flawed but highly dangerous.
How many of you have had damaged cables and couldn't find the fault by a visual check alone?
I still say their design is flawed and not only flawed but highly dangerous.
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Try putting that to HSE on site then, no hard hat, no Hi-Vis, no Steel toe caps, no 110V and its Good bye.
It IS a recent change, please refer to BS7671 & BS7375, there are situations where it is allowable within H&S law, BS's, CoP's & ACoP's, whether the idiotic H&S officers & PC's for the sites are competent to manage this is a different question.
I do not believe that you will have HSE present on many sites, especially now FFI have kicked in!
Canoe, & a few others of you,
Know I have weekly battles with these incompetent H&S bods at the heart of their profession when it comes to Electricity!
X(
Know I have weekly battles with these incompetent H&S bods at the heart of their profession when it comes to Electricity!
X(
I regularly wear trainers on site with no issues, what is the problem with wearing trainers on site?
Sidewinder - you referring to trainers with toe tectors or standard trainers.
]
Mine don't have steel toe caps, or midsoles! ...
Mine don't have steel toe caps, or midsoles!
...
carbon fibre caps?
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where did I say that?
I've been saying all along, 110V or 240V makes no difference. Faulty cable, it goes bang.
110V won't stop the cable getting damaged and won't stop it going bang if it does.
Yes with 110V there's less chance of you getting killed if you touch a live wire, and I agree in an ideal world, you should have 110V pumps, but much MORE important is that the pumps are regularly inspected and tested, but nobody seems bothered to take that point on board.
The use of 110V is more to protect someone in the event of an accident, like a cable getting cut through, it is NOT a mechanism to allow you to disregard your tools, to not test them, and to not inspect them, in the hope they will just keep on working forever regardless of what abuse you give them.
Here's a suggestion.
The OP obviously carries all his own tools which are all 110V and presumably (hopefully) regularly PA Tested.
He complains when the site pump packs up and the trench fills up with water.
So why not buy your own 110V pump, keep it regularly inspected and tested, and use your own pump. Then you will know you can trust it and know it's in good safe condition.
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PAT testing? PAT who?
Never heard of it before. So its obviously not compulsory and not needed. My cscs card training make no mention of pat testing. Neither do site inductions.
The main requirement for site safety with electrical tools is the use of 110 volt. Has been for years. And doubly important for my work where water and hazardous conditions are in the mix.
Can anyone tell me me where I can obtain a 110v site submersible pump with a festool type water proof plug-it cable?
Unless that type of pump is available then I certainly won't be purchasing one.
Never heard of it before. So its obviously not compulsory and not needed. My cscs card training make no mention of pat testing. Neither do site inductions.
The main requirement for site safety with electrical tools is the use of 110 volt. Has been for years. And doubly important for my work where water and hazardous conditions are in the mix.
Can anyone tell me me where I can obtain a 110v site submersible pump with a festool type water proof plug-it cable?
Unless that type of pump is available then I certainly won't be purchasing one.
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Sharpend
"It Just Is"
Swelter for someone who portrays much site experience I'd suggest you ought to ask your site agent if he actually knows what he's doing, PAT testing of tools has been around for years and is a prerequisite of being allowed on site?
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PA Testing
Portable Appliance Testing.
It's one way of ensuring all your portable electrical appliances are safe.
If one of your tools kills someone, how do you propose to prove to a court of law that it was safe? PA Testing is one way.
[pedantic] It's not PAT Testing, that would be portable appliance testing testing, a bit like PCB boards, LCD displays and other such nonsense [/pedantic]
Portable Appliance Testing.
It's one way of ensuring all your portable electrical appliances are safe.
If one of your tools kills someone, how do you propose to prove to a court of law that it was safe? PA Testing is one way.
[pedantic] It's not PAT Testing, that would be portable appliance testing testing, a bit like PCB boards, LCD displays and other such nonsense [/pedantic]
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