Scare Mongering............
Hi, just to clarify a few points in the previous reply.
Firstly, I am not scare mongering, just stating fact and the law. The IEE wiring regulatations are there for a reason, your safety and mine, ignore them at your risk. Sure, some of it can be OTT, but with electricity you dont get a warning.
The voltage in the UK is 230 volts ac, it was some 20 years ago 240v but was changed to 230v to be in line with Europe. Europe increased their voltage from 220v to 230v thus standardising the voltage throughout the E.U.
There are two types of transformer, an internal one and external type, both require 230v this is then reduced via the transformer to the 'Low Voltage' generally 12v DC but it can be 9v, 6v or less. The point I raised in my original posting was that it is the 230v side that is the dangerous side, any damaged insulation, poorly wired plugs extensions etc can be very dangerous even fatal if you were to get a shock from this side of the transformer. You cannot just rely on the fuse as sometimes the power bypass the fuse due to fault of manufacture, faulty wiring etc. There have been occasions when the 230v has tracked right accrss the transformer to the 'Low Voltage' side due to either faulty wiring or an ingress or dust or debris. If this were to happen, it is possible that the electricity could track outside of the double insulation, the user could then get an electric shock!
These are possibilities that I have previously seen in a variety of electrical appliances, not just power tools. It is complacency as in the previous reply that is the greatest risk. Having worked as a Service Manager for several large multi-national companies, you can either accept my advice and experiences or ignore them, the choice is yours. I dont mean to cause any offence, but I have seen some really bad injuries caused by a lack of care and maintenence even with 'Low Voltage' appliances. Some were as a result of faulty manufacturer, some were as a result of modification by a well meaning 'husband' or D.I.Y. expert.
The 110v voltage mentioned is designed and intended for 'Site' use, not for us home users. How the 110v is made and delivered always ensures if you were to get a shock, you would generally only recieve a 55v shock and not the full 110v.
I hope that clarifys a few points raised. I dont want to 'Scare Monger' yet I would hate to see anyone be complacent where electricity is concerned. The IEE wiring regulations are there for a reason, all manufacturers abide by these rules as they are the Law. Only a fool would deliberatly ignore these regulations as that puts anyone who comes into contact with the appliance at risk! A grandchild could be visiting and decide to investigate Grandad's sleeping machine, spill some water from the Humidifier onto the machine or cables and ........... (Or anything else to get a shock. This is just an example) Double insulation should ensure that you dont recieve a shock, but if its faulty, that might not work/protect as it should. You can argue or state that your machine is 70yrs old etc etc, and you have never had a problem but you can either accept the risks or not.
Good luck to you all and 'BE SAFE' dont take a risk, its not worth it.
Jon....
