LEC medical refrigerators

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:33:38 GMT

As it runs on 16V I am not too worried. The problem is much bigger than a dodgy plug. All units are marked with CE marks so should be OK but clearly are not up to acceptable standards!!

It is really difficult to tell a sound bit of electrics so it brings us almost full circle. It is worth getting stuff checked by a trusted electrician on a regular basis! PAT testing and a visual examination is worthwhile.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:05:36 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]External hard disk drive caddy's from China via ebay. Not for use at the work! [/quote]I presume you have a death wish if you buy this cr*p from China!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:14:45 GMT

External hard disk drive caddy's from China via ebay. Not for use at the work!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:16:25 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I have had some stuff from China arrive with plugs with no fuse at all.[/quote]Where do you buy this stuff from then?

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:13:29 GMT

http://www.bs1363.org.uk/DTI_warning_on_Counterfeit_Fuses_web.pdf

If you are producing hundreds of thousands of leads for a few pence then the cost of a fuse makes a difference. I have had some stuff from China arrive with plugs with no fuse at all.

Mother in law had a plug with one of these fuses that became red hot, discoloured both the plug and socket.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 15:19:16 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

apparently fake fuses are not that difficult to identify. The colour and weight are wrong!

Apparently proper fuses contain sand!

[/quote]I take the sand with a pinch of salt but I'm struggling to wonder why/how anyone would fit a fake fuse, and what advantage would be gained, they cost pennies. The worst I can see would happen is that there may be 13 A fuse in an appliance that should have a 3 or 5.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:48:25 GMT

Our electrician checks the fuse in every new item. Pretty sure those PAT tested before don't receive such scrutiny but apparently fake fuses are not that difficult to identify. The colour and weight are wrong!

Apparently proper fuses contain sand!

Biggest complaint I get is that the chap moves stuff around!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:33:41 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]"portable or movable electric appliance is any item that can be moved, either connected or disconnected from an electrical supply. Portable or movable items generally have a lead (cable) and a plug"[/quote]So in fact anything except the internal wiring of the building. Despite my slightly sarcastic comment on PAT testing the fridge I do test every appliance that is plugged in anyway even the X-ray light box which hasn't moved since its was screwed to the wall 30 years ago!

[quote user="robloxley"]You could argue against following this, but should a problem occur - such as an incorrect fuse or a dodgy earth connection (neither of which the electrical test will necessarily show) then you may have trouble[/quote] Point taken, common sense applied.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Rob Loxley — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 23:18:05 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Fridges don't need PAT testing. Clue: they are not Portable Appliances[/quote]

If you read HSE guidance INDG236 it says a "portable or movable electric appliance is any item that can be moved, either connected or disconnected from an electrical supply. Portable or movable items generally have a lead (cable) and a plug"; "larger items that could be moved (but only rarely), eg water chillers, fridges, microwaves, photocopiers, vending machines, washing machines, electric cookers, fax machines, desktop computers, electric beds etc are considered to be movable items"

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]taking every plug apart is not part of the test procedure[/quote]

Again, INDG236 says "The visual inspection should include the checks carried out by the user and, where possible, will include removing the plug cover and checking internally..."
You could argue against following this, but should a problem occur - such as an incorrect fuse or a dodgy earth connection (neither of which the electrical test will necessarily show) then you may have trouble

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:54:50 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"][quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Personally I PAT test everything with a plug on. It's not a legal requirement but it reassures me they are electrically safe and it doesn't cost me anything. [/quote]So do you do it yourself or get an electrician to do it for free? I've bought a circuit tester and the labels and one of the nurses does it. Its hardly rocket science and they can't accuse me of deliberately hiding a fault. They recommended I changed the plug on the floor cleaner which I duly did.[/quote]

I do it myself. Boring but easy.

The machine is periodically certified by the manufacturer – not sure if this is strictly necessary but it gives me extra legal brownie points.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:09:54 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Peace of mind to have them regularly checked by someone I trust![/quote]You're right - myself or someone else with a brain, eyes and ears. There are some electrical jobs I wouldn't feel competent taking on but checking a circuit with a standardised circuit checked and visually checking the integrity of a cable and plug isn't difficult. I don't know how you'd identify a fake fuse mind you in a PAT test as taking every plug apart is not part of the test procedure.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 16:03:10 GMT

PAT testing is a pretty good way of checking the general electrical safety of an item. Over the years the electricians have identified fake fuses, dodgy wiring, even a lead with reversed cables.

All legitimate items and not knock off Chinese copies!

Peace of mind to have them regularly checked by someone I trust!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Rob Loxley — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:41:38 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]They recommended I changed the plug on the floor cleaner which I duly did.[/quote]

Excellent to see; the visual inspection is as important (if not more so) than the electrical test

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:37:46 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Personally I PAT test everything with a plug on. It's not a legal requirement but it reassures me they are electrically safe and it doesn't cost me anything. [/quote]So do you do it yourself or get an electrician to do it for free? I've bought a circuit tester and the labels and one of the nurses does it. Its hardly rocket science and they can't accuse me of deliberately hiding a fault. They recommended I changed the plug on the floor cleaner which I duly did.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Laurence Webb — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 22:41:08 GMT

I got ours from Hilditch Auctions from £20. No guarantee that it even worked at the time although the compressor started running and the lights tuned on when I plugged it in when I viewed it. NHS safety/performance testing was within the last 12 months. So far it has worked for 6 mths and temperatures appear fine.

Not a gamble everyone would want to take but it worked for me this time around.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:30:45 GMT

Personally I PAT test everything with a plug on. It's not a legal requirement but it reassures me they are electrically safe and it doesn't cost me anything. Found a freezer to be possibly defective in insulation that way, would not have known otherwise. Genuine contribution to safety, as opposed to possessing a Written Scheme of Examination for the autoclave. ( )

I don't mess with electricity. (Not like when we were young. "wonder what happens if I stick my fingers in the light socket?" ...... "Oh, that's what happens". Dunno how we survived, really.)

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:00:23 GMT

I suspect that everything they send out is PAT tested. Servicing includes regassing if required. No moving parts to service but temperature checks etc.

They are a major recycling centre, processing large quantities of electrical items.

http://www.wiserrecycling.co.uk/our-services/refrigeration-units/

No need to buy from them if you don't want to but struck me as a good deal so thought it worth letting people know. Much better than using a standard fridge IMO.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:51:17 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]At least these have been checked, serviced, PAT tested and certified for reuse! [/quote]Fridges don't need PAT testing. Clue: they are not Portable Appliances. And I'm struggling to understand what there is you can service on a fridge! Sounds like some electrician is having you on!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Bob Russell — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:14:08 GMT

We bought them because our standard food fridge (used for milk etc, not vaccines) decided to freeze everything. Instead of buying another normal fridge I went for these.

My experience is that fridges can fail at any time and with little notice at all.

At least these have been checked, serviced, PAT tested and certified for reuse!

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 16:12:46 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"].....put off that evil day when you come in in the morning and find that the refrigerator has not been refrigerating all night.[/quote] Just because it s pharmacy fridge doesn't mean it won't break down or you won't have a power cut in the night. A cheap maximum/minimum thermometer will tell you much the same and costs a lot less.

RE: LEC medical refrigerators

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:53:45 GMT

Just be aware that pharmacy fridges do not last for ever and you don't know how much of their lives these have used up.

Still if a £100 one lasts a year, I guess you've already got your money's worth.

Personally, and I'm not arguing, I'm just saying, I'd rather buy new (you can get "graded" i.e. perfectly good but tiny cosmetic damage or something, at quite a discount) to put off that evil day when you come in in the morning and find that the refrigerator has not been refrigerating all night.