28-09-2012, 12:09 AM
Calm down, it's only a record player!!
It's not going to be used in any environment other than the home and there are loads of these things about and being used. They do seem to be in vogue right now as well and none of todays idiots have died.
We don't even know whether it's valve or transistorised (probably valve) let alone what model it is, Some Westminsters don't have a deck that is metal but I would put a X rated capacitor between the deck and neutral.
The one colour cable is illegal of course and if you've removed that, like I do, honest guvnor, then make sure the chassis is at neutral. Also, the pick-up arm goes to earth and the grid of the first valve, so make sure this is of good order and the valve can't short out in any dangerous way. (I've never had this. Ever.)
Also, put wax over any grub screws.
You'll never get something of this age to conform to modern safety standards. There is risk in any electrical equipment, and you minimise this as much as you can. Isolation transformers can in the wrong circumstances be more dangerous! If there's a tape socket on the machine, for example, and you connect a tape recorder or computer.... Bang!
Modern houses have an ELCB so any problems and the mains should go off. This is more dangerous at night...
I don't know the model, but the above applies to all of them. I'm sure that
a) Mark's heart is in the right place
and
b) Old Sparky would never leave anything in a dangerous state.
No amount of PAT testing or safety measures will ever leave a piece of equipment 'complete idiot proof'. It's also worth bearing in mind that neutral and earth are tied together quite often anyway, especially in the country.
Sometimes it's best to agree to disagree, as I see both your points of view here, I think that's the best way forward here.
Cheers,
Steve P.
It's not going to be used in any environment other than the home and there are loads of these things about and being used. They do seem to be in vogue right now as well and none of todays idiots have died.
We don't even know whether it's valve or transistorised (probably valve) let alone what model it is, Some Westminsters don't have a deck that is metal but I would put a X rated capacitor between the deck and neutral.
The one colour cable is illegal of course and if you've removed that, like I do, honest guvnor, then make sure the chassis is at neutral. Also, the pick-up arm goes to earth and the grid of the first valve, so make sure this is of good order and the valve can't short out in any dangerous way. (I've never had this. Ever.)
Also, put wax over any grub screws.
You'll never get something of this age to conform to modern safety standards. There is risk in any electrical equipment, and you minimise this as much as you can. Isolation transformers can in the wrong circumstances be more dangerous! If there's a tape socket on the machine, for example, and you connect a tape recorder or computer.... Bang!
Modern houses have an ELCB so any problems and the mains should go off. This is more dangerous at night...
I don't know the model, but the above applies to all of them. I'm sure that
a) Mark's heart is in the right place
and
b) Old Sparky would never leave anything in a dangerous state.
No amount of PAT testing or safety measures will ever leave a piece of equipment 'complete idiot proof'. It's also worth bearing in mind that neutral and earth are tied together quite often anyway, especially in the country.
Sometimes it's best to agree to disagree, as I see both your points of view here, I think that's the best way forward here.
Cheers,
Steve P.
If we've always had that, why is the car boot open? You aren't smuggling in another old TV are you...?
