ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 13

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Sewing Machine Found Faulty j A serious electrical hazard in a brand cif sewing machine imported into New Zealand has been found by the New Zealand Electricity Department. according to the “New Zealand Electrical Journal.” the official journal of toe Electrical Supply Authority Engineers' Institute. The fault is capable of causing a fatal electric shock, says an article warning menuJaoturers. importers, and distributors of the machine of their responsibilities under the Electrical Wiring Regulations. 1961

“The hazard is caused by the presence of exposed bare conductors at the back of the terminal block to which various wires are connected,” says the article. "These bare conductors can be touched ■with the fingers and. when rhe machine is connected to the power supply, are alive at 230 V and capable of causing a fatal electrical accident.

Approprite action has been taken under the Electrical Wiring Regulations. 1961. in respect of the particular make of machine examined. "Other defects in the electrical wiring of the machine were noted as being in conflict with the Electrical Wiring Regulations. 1961. “Although there is no suggestion that the hazard or other deffects are present in other makes of electrically-c-perated sewing machines it is felt that this incident is sufficiently serious for the department to bring to the notice of all manufacturers, importers and distributors of sewing machines in New Zealand their responsibilities under the Electrical Wiring Regulations." the article says. Dentists' Drills Faulty

The journal also draws attention to defects in some dental units manufactured overseas, which failed to comply with the electrical wiring regulations.

The defects in the units examined, which had been imported and installed in dentists' rooms recently, were sufficiently serious for the supply authority engineer to e;op their use until the fault had been rectified, the journal says.