I didn't see where Johnny says he is getting into the refurbishing biz. He just wants to do some safety tests. Johnny, check out this site: http://www.asresearch.com It belongs to a company that puts out some good test gear. Ask them for their booklet,"A Basic Guide to Electrical Safety Testing" . It is excellent. I would recommend that you do a polarity / ground continuity test, and a Ground-Bond test. They sell equipment to do these, and will take you through the appropriate steps. Good luck. Keith Gershon Lawrence Berkeley Lab [email protected]
-------------------------------------- List-Post: [email protected] Date: 5/23/96 7:40 AM To: Keith Gershon From: rbusche This is a curious issue. If I were an appliance repairman or service person, I would merely replace defective components, wiring or materials without going through a "refurbishment" criteria. I would think that R&R (repair and replace) is not a refurbishment per se. My initial thought was just to repair these devices and let it go at that. As a safety professional however I might be inclined to perform a hypot just to make sure. _ Ouch! I am making the assumption that you are reselling in the U.S. and or Canada only, not in Europe. You are grossly afoul with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or other U.S. and Canadian safety agencies as well as with the NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements that appliances that are fixed, reconditioned, or otherwise refurbished and sold to the public, must meet specifications as originally approved by the safety agencies. Canada (CSA) specifies that only the original manufacturer, or his designated agent or representative, may refurbish equipment. Substitution of parts is not allowed. UL specified, a long time ago, that only the original manufacturer could refurbish equipment. By now they may have added the "designated representative". Check with UL. In order not to run afoul with UL or CSA, you could obliterate their safety marks on the equipment, but then you are in violation of NEC and OSHA, which specify that only appliances approved and labeled by designated Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (UL, CSA, and others) are permitted to be installed in buildings (NEC 110-2). Plugging in an appliance is considered an electrical installation. Additionally, you are sticking your neck out with respect to liability should your repair result in a fire or shock hazard to the user. (I can see the headlines right now: "GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INVESTIGATED FOR INCORRECT TOASTER REPAIR THAT RESULTS IN FIRE!") RECOMMENDATION: 1. Write to specific manufacturers asking them to designate Goodwill as their official repair/refurbishing agent. 2. Obtain all their specifications, parts bills, AND THE UL AND CSA PRODUCT REPORTS. 3. Contact UL and/or CSA to have yourself approved for refurbishing equipment. 4. Repair ONLY those products for which you have received the original manufacturer's and agency permission. Tania Grant, Octel Communications Corporation ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: FW: Electrical Safety Author: "rbusche" <[email protected]> at P_Internet_mail List-Post: [email protected] Date: 5/22/96 7:37 AM In case you have some recommendations for John. His address is [email protected] _______________________________________________________________________________ To: Multiple recipients of list SAFETY From: Safety on Wed, May 22, 1996 5:14 AM Subject: Electrical Safety Electrical safety is not my strong suit. Our agency receives donated electrical appliances which are then sold to the public. We want to write some policy and procedures for testing the appliances. Does anyone have any guidelines about testing for defects, the use of GFI's, and the need for a grounding rubber mat. Thanks. John Male Goodwill Industries of Northern New England usual disclaimers
