EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Kamplex audiometer markings/testing.

A new machine arrived for testing and logging.
This machine appears to be marked class1 type B. When safety tested using the 601PRO the earth leakage is .4 ohm.
When I contacted the suppliers I was told it was class 2 with a functional earth. (not marked as such)!. They tell me I'm not the first to mention the problem.
The MDA have been informed but I'm going round in circles.
Anyone out there come across this problem??

David, I have encountered this same problem on two occasions. 1. dinamap pro 400's and 2. the charger for a lifepak 12. This equipment is labelled as class 1 but they have no external or exposed metal parts. The equipment is clearly well manufactured and electrically safe. Apparently they are rigorously tested during manufacture for enclosure and earth leakage to the 601-1 standards by outside agencies such as BSI. If they should require testing under class 1 conditions then a modified mains leads is needed ie with an exposed earth pin I guess. Nevertheless this is clearly an area which needs clarifying. Please let me know if the MDA come up with an answer.

You certainly aren't the first to mention this to P.C.Werth (I assume these are the suppliers you mention). Some years ago we blew the earth on a couple of Kamplexs. The earthing was certainly not proper.

I do not understand how these can be class II as we could test the earth to an accessible part. I know the definition of Class II is that an earth is not required for safety reasons (but might be for function). My theory is if it is Class II it should look and behave like Class II and it should be marked as such.

In the end we just rectified the problem on the machines where the earth went through a PCB track. Not very satisfactory though. These days I think I'd just tell the MDA. Someone mentioned Andy Smith favourably, I agree he is a good chap.

Is this the same problem, he is compalining he can test the item but it fails, you are saying you can't test them. I have to say I don't like Class 1 items which are well enough insulated to appear to be Class 2 ie untestable.

I had the same problem with the flocare 800s.
The only way I could find an earth was to stab a screwdriver through the silicone sealant covering a screw in the back of the pump.
Irritating