Systainer mounted 110 V Transformer - only for the UK

[jmbfestool]

C I knew you had some involvement with transformers  thought it was shares but that's a good reason also.

JMB

 

[egapeg]

OK so I seem to have stirred it up a bit and not being from these parts (Sunnier climes is what I am used to) I too believe that the HSE are just a bunch of overpaid eejits that have nothing better to do with their time than make a job almost impossible to do. (nothing like a 2 hour job taking 8 because of all of the bureaucratic terrorism) I agree 100% with an RCD being far safer than 110V as most of this places wiring is sub standard even by some 3rd world countries norms - I wouldn't trust my life on new build electrics let alone the builds that were done when Noah was still a glint in his father's eye.
As for Site Agents and Managers I did a job recently where one gave us a Toolbox talk about Hard hats and ended his speech with "You now have nobody to sue if anything goes wrong and my  arse is covered" Best thing is he then sh*t on a sparky working hard hatless in the ceiling void where only the concrete could fall on him. Lo and behold the said agent then walked past another sparky about 10 minutes later hard hatless and narrowly missed having his left ear removed from his vacuum chamber by a falling Cable tray bracket. Priceless. [big grin].

 

[speed]

id like a sys2 size transformer

 

[Coen]

Why on earth would you use a different voltage on a building site? What a ridiculous rule.

With 110 Volt vs 240 Volt you have more then twice the current. More current = more loss, more heat, more burning.

They might as well have you use 6Volts and use square inch copper cables.  [blink]

 

[nickao]

Not exactly on topic, but this is a nice read to understand how and why each country uses the  electrical systems and plug types  they use:

http://gizmodo.com/5391271/giz-explains-why-every-country-has-a-different-fing-plug

 

[egapeg]

id like a sys2 size transformer

I think that a Sys 3 would work better as you can pack a coiled extension in the space inside the box.

I am working on it and will hopefully get some pics soon.

 

[speed]

what size transformer are you fitting? i just took the lid of my 3.3kva and it will fit in a sys3 if you removed some of the casing, only thing is the weight, 17kg in a 180mm square it will need to be central in the sys to carry easy?

 

[egapeg]

what size transformer are you fitting? i just took the lid of my 3.3kva and it will fit in a sys3 if you removed some of the casing, only thing is the weight, 17kg in a 180mm square it will need to be central in the sys to carry easy?

Yes I have a 3.3 kVA Transformer too but mine isn't quite so heavy. I plan to totally remove it from its case and as you say fit it dead center of the systainer. I plan to ruggedise the systainer using PVC sheet cut to size to fit snugly inside the systainer. The power outlets will be mounted on either side of the transformer on a lower level so the plugs when plugged in don't stick above the rim. I will use a 240 V Plug It Lead with a Plug It socket from the Festool Vacuum system, This will enable the cable to be removed and  placed into the Systainer with any extensions. Painted Daffodil yellow unless I can get a yellow one from www.kofferfun shop.de.

 

[ajones]

Hi this is some totaly bonkers idea.. I guess it will be ce marked and conform the all the regs?  [doh]

 

[egapeg]

What is bonkers about it? As for CE Marks that only applies to equipment that is made to be sold. As along as it passes PAT tests all is fine. Also if it is protected in the box and can be transported easier then it is more likely that it will be less likely to be abused like most other "siteformers".

What I do think is bonkers is the way that Health and Safety has been taken to the extreme in this country.  Don't get me wrong there is a place for H&S on all jobs but the way that it is often implemented make site working almost unbearable to the point that I can understand why some people just won't do it. I suppose it is put in place to protect the idiots from themselves, which in my mind is wrong if they are idiots let them kill themselves.

 

[ajones]

Hmmm why do I think its bonkers.

you are taking a electical item out of a specialy designed fibreglass ip44 case and fiting it in a systainer its just wrong on so many levels.

 

[egapeg]

Who says that it will not be IP Rated - And as for a specially designed Fibreglass enclosure - bo***cks to that. Have you never seen a transformer in a steel enclosure. The reason they put them in Fibreglass is for mass production reasons, and price too.

I don't plan to sell them and it will be fully compliant with all regs. If someone else wants to make their own so be it.

 

[jmbfestool]

What is bonkers about it? As for CE Marks that only applies to equipment that is made to be sold. As along as it passes PAT tests all is fine. Also if it is protected in the box and can be transported easier then it is more likely that it will be less likely to be abused like most other "siteformers".

What I do think is bonkers is the way that Health and Safety has been taken to the extreme in this country.  Don't get me wrong there is a place for H&S on all jobs but the way that it is often implemented make site working almost unbearable to the point that I can understand why some people just won't do it. I suppose it is put in place to protect the idiots from themselves, which in my mind is wrong if they are idiots let them kill themselves.

I totaly Agree!!!!  Let them hurt them selves.  I think health and saftey should only come in if some one else can get injured and/or killed by what your do.  e.g. setting up scaffolding for other people to use.

You standing on a set of ladders with both hands in use on the top tread is your on problem and wont kill some one else so its your problem and health and saftey should back off.  I think its gone to far and people should take responsibility for them selves.

JMB

 

[jvsteenb]

I think that's somewhat shortsighted.

You getting killed is seldom just your own problem...
Say someone accidentally trips over a wire that you use while standing on the top thread of the aforementioned ladder while using both hands.... These little accidents happen all the time - but had you been standing 4 threads down, using one hand to secure yourself, a small shake of the ladder wouldn't have caused you to fall down, and the fall wouldn't have broken your back, leaving you weelchair-bound for the rest of your life. Now there's a rat's nest of conflicting responsibilities...

Let them hurt themselves ??? Are you serious ?  Responsibility should only be granted to those who can bear the load.
Safety rules and regulations may be way over the top sometimes, but in the end their primary goal is not to protect YOU, but to protect society from the needless disruption that's caused by accidents and even deaths that could easily have been avoided.
They're far from perfect, but they do exist for a very valid reason.
Suicide is very socially disruptive, it causes a lot of grief. Suicide by stupidity or sheer carelesness isn't that different.

If anyone feels the need to engage in high-risk activities, I suggest basejumping or mountaineering. Play with your safety all you like, in an environment where it's more or less socially acceptable.
But displaying carelessness or simple disregards of given safety protocol reflects poorly on one's professional peers, and invokes biased opinions and prejudism.

OK, My 2c worth of rant is over....

Regards,

Job

 

[nickao]

Let them hurt themselves. Are you kidding?

Exactly the type person I never want working on my crew. It is supposed to be teamwork when all the trades work together or someone will get killed. Even when being safe as possible and everyone is on the same page people can get hurt, guys with that attitude are a menace. I have let go more than one guy that only cared for themselves. The guy that says "let them hurt themselves" is the same guy that says, "I don't care" , "It's not my problem" or the worst " It looks good from my house", is not a good person to work with.

Your attitude and what it leads to is the reason workers comp insurance is outrages in cost.

 

[jmbfestool]

Let them hurt themselves. Are you kidding?

Exactly the type person I never want working on my crew. It is supposed to be teamwork when all the trades work together or someone will get killed. Even when being safe as possible and everyone is on the same page people can get hurt, guys with that attitude are a menace. I have let go more than one guy that only cared for themselves. The guy that says "let them hurt themselves" is the same guy that says, "I don't care" , "It's not my problem" or the worst " It looks good from my house", is not a good person to work with.

Your attitude and what it leads to is the reason workers comp insurance is outrages in cost.

Well your wrong their.  I'm really conscious about my work I always make sure its as good as I can do it.  If I noticed something which isnt right later on while working I always go back and correct it even though the client says its fine their happy with it I just cant leave it but apparently I am in the same category of the people who don't care about anything.

I like working with competent people who work with you and of coarse I would look after them.  I know when its dangerous and I am more care full and if I can ill try and do it a safer way but not to the extreme of setting up a scaffold to just change a light bulb instead of standing on a top thread of a ladder.
I have seen people set up scaffolding and have 4 to 5 bricks stacked to support the other end because its on a slope now thats just plain stupid and their the people who deserve to get hurt!

jmb

 

[jvsteenb]

I respectfully disagree.

People that set up scaffolding with one end resting on a loose stack of bricks deserve to be educated. Safety awareness doesn't come natural for everybody, so it has to be pounded in by repeated message and constant education.
It may seem stupid to set up a scaffold to change a lightbulb ( In most cases I think it is ) but standing on the top thread of a ladder to change a lightbulb is far more stupid IMHO. 10 to 1 you could also use a longer ladder....

If a lightbulb is in a position it can't be changed without "extreme" measures to protect worker safety, it's a stupid design anyway, and the building owner should charge the architect for the extra costs, or whoever wasn't thinking when he put that lightfixture there in the first place.

Protecting yourself ( and your co-workers ) is a constant responsibility - don't let your guard down.  There are lots of pofessional sawyers with digits missing - probably wouldn't have happened when the "ridiculous" safety measures would have been in place that SINGLE moment where things went wrong. Don't think odds - standing on the top thread of a ladder is not a very intelligent thing to do, especially when you are aware of the risks. "It won't happen to me, it's just ONE lightbulb/screw/nail/branch/( fill in what's appropriate ).
Statistics won't be your friend when you wake up in a light room, with an IV drip in your arm and lots of rather worried looking folks in white coats standing by the end of the rather solidly built bed you appear to be lying in...
Some things are called "an accident waiting to happen" because they DO bear the risk of an accident, and they DO happen.

So educate the guy that tries to set up the scaffold on a pile of bricks, and tell him why it's not exactly the most intelligent way to tackle this problem. He may get a bit aggravated, but you're in the right to tell him, as his scaffold may tumble down and cause harm to you or others as well.
Chances are, the same person may spot you doing something that you consider "safe enough" and remind you of the responsibilities you carry. So in the end, the both of you end up saving each others behinds. I do not only expect that from my professional peers, I demand that attitude.  It get's the job done, and get's you home safely when it's done. It works, it's called "Teamwork".

Lending a hand is easy when it's appreciated. It feels good, people like you for it, and all is golden. Helping someone that doesn't seem to appreciate it when you know you're right takes a bit more. It takes personality, selfcertainty and a thick skin sometimes. In the end, as a coworker I'd rather have a complete jurk with a decent sense of responsibility then a superfriendly likeable guy without.

Regards,

Job

 

[jmbfestool]

I respectfully disagree.

People that set up scaffolding with one end resting on a loose stack of bricks deserve to be educated. Safety awareness doesn't come natural for everybody, so it has to be pounded in by repeated message and constant education.
It may seem stupid to set up a scaffold to change a lightbulb ( In most cases I think it is ) but standing on the top thread of a ladder to change a lightbulb is far more stupid IMHO. 10 to 1 you could also use a longer ladder....

Well educating people with repeated message is what happens and is what wasting money. On site you have to have a hour talk about health and safety all the time no mater who you are even if you been in the trade for 20 years you have to attend now why?!?! because like you said people need to be pounded with messages all the time but problem is you cant just pick people you think might not be safty aware so you have to do it to everyone so we all suffer.

Just like going Go-karting I been Millions of times they ask have you been before you say yes but they still have to take you into a room to watch a stupid video everytime. Just annoying, time wasting, cost money and patronises people who are good at what they do.

Sorry when I said about a ladder I was on about just a 3 thread step ladder but some sites dont you let you use small steps like that and you have to set up a small platform. Thats what I meant about extreme sorry didnt explain my self properly.

JMB

 

[Deansocial]

I respectfully disagree.

People that set up scaffolding with one end resting on a loose stack of bricks deserve to be educated. Safety awareness doesn't come natural for everybody, so it has to be pounded in by repeated message and constant education.
It may seem stupid to set up a scaffold to change a lightbulb ( In most cases I think it is ) but standing on the top thread of a ladder to change a lightbulb is far more stupid IMHO. 10 to 1 you could also use a longer ladder....

Well educating people with repeated message is what happens and is what wasting money. On site you have to have a hour talk about health and safety all the time no mater who you are even if you been in the trade for 20 years you have to attend now why?!?! because like you said people need to be pounded with messages all the time but problem is you cant just pick people you think might not be safty aware so you have to do it to everyone so we all suffer.

Just like going Go-karting I been Millions of times they ask have you been before you say yes but they still have to take you into a room to watch a stupid video everytime. Just annoying, time wasting, cost money and patronises people who are good at what they do.

Sorry when I said about a ladder I was on about just a 3 thread step ladder but some sites dont you let you use small steps like that and you have to set up a small platform. Thats what I meant about extreme sorry didnt explain my self properly.

JMB

step or platform who the hell cares, just price it into the job and be glad you have work and stop whining about it

as for the karting it is for their insurance that they show the vid so they are covered

 

[jmbfestool]

[cool]