mainline

[plugwash]

In that picture it looks like they are using a SOCKET as the inlet?!

What is wrong with chaining extenion leads anyway? it looks a bit messy but I don't see how the products BAS linked are any better electrically (in fact you could say they are worse because they probablly end up with more plug and socket links)

You can also get 12 way extention leads if you just want to reduce the messy chaining without changing things much. http://cpc.farnell.com/brennenstuhl...=Products From This Range&MER=e-bb45-00001003

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Good grief.

I hadn't looked that closely at the picture - I read "Commando socket or equivalent" as what it plugged into.

WTF are they thinking of?

 

[plugwash]

Reading the catalogue it seems they don't actually sell cables going to commando connectors.

My guess would be that the description from the engineers wrote something suggesting supplying the system from a "commando socket or equivilent" meaning that the system would be plugged into a commando socket and whatever numpty made up the cables for the picture went and got some commando sockets and popped them on the end of the flex.

Personally reading the catalogue the system looks bloody dangerous in the wrong hands. There is nothing to stop you using 16A components in a 32A system. And module seperation seems to be tool-less and expose live parts. It seems you need a screwdriver to remove the strip of modules from the desk but I would still worry that some numpty could try and reconfigure the stuff in appropriate ways or try to reconfigure it live.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yup.

And there isn't a bs1363 socket made where a numpty couldn't jam a screwdriver into the live tunnel if he chose.

I expect the same numpty, if he survived that, could throw himself down the stairs, or bite through the power cord for his monitor.

These sorts of systems are designed to be installed where they are under the supervision of a skilled person, and systems like them have been installed for decades in millions of workplaces worldwide.

 

[plugwash]

Actually looking at the pictures again it doesn't look as bad as I first thought. it seems to be protected to ip2x or so even with no end cap on.

I just think tool-less interconnection of modules albiet with tool-requiring removal from the desk first blurs the line between plug and socket systems which are supposed to be at least somewhat idiot proof (obviously if you delibetately set out to do bad things with electricity not much can stop you) and fixed wiring systems which are supposed to only be worked on by competent persons.

I also suspect that sooner or later someone will replace a desk and not bother to screw the modules to the new one leaving them in a state where they can be seperated with no tools whatsoever.

 

[electronicsuk]

input lead with socket!

Under desk and on desk interconnected

So it's probably not an input lead at all?

 

[Sureitsoff?]

input lead with socket!

Under desk and on desk interconnected

So it's probably not an input lead at all?

It is an input lead.

According to the Electrak blurb under the pictures the system appears to be modular in that you start with input module then can have a protection module of your choice then have socket modules and finish off with an end cap.

So feeding that input module as pictured is a length of cable with a socket!

I have also asked Electrak themselves to explain the pictures so I await their reply with interest.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I also suspect that sooner or later someone will replace a desk and not bother to screw the modules to the new one leaving them in a state where they can be seperated with no tools whatsoever.

Which would be a H&S offence committed by whoever did it, and the company directors would be also be committing an offence if they did not have policies and procedures in place to ensure that employees were aware of their responsibilities under H&S legislation

The system complies with BS 6396 :2008 Under-desk and desktop Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and Office Screens. I don't know what the standard says but it's reasonable to assume it has some safety requirements in it...

 

[Sureitsoff?]

Hi B-A-S

Electrac replied to my e-mail and have amended the web page!

Their reply:


thank you very much for taking the time to contact us.

You are absolutely right, unfortunately that was the result of a previous web manager who knew a thing or two about web design and doctoring photos, but very little about wiring regulations.

I have attempted a little photo doctoring myself, and have amended the web page.

Please rest assured that at Electrak product design and testing is stringently overseen by qualified electrical engineers, and no actual product has ever left the factory that would require supply from live exposed conductors.



Amended page:

http://www.electrak.co.uk/products/office-power/intersoc/