Purchased New Fan on eBay and Has Exposed Electrical Wires, Is It Safe?

t_c on 17/01/2018 - 12:54
Last edited 17/01/2018 - 13:13 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I purchased this duct fan on eBay to help cool a computer server room and I noticed it has exposed wires on the back.

I didn't notice till after plugging it in and there's no safety switch in this house.

At first I thought it must be like unused wires that serve no purpose.

But now I'm not so sure.

Is this thing even safe?

Pic

• 

  bremo on 17/01/2018 - 12:59

  I'd wrap it up with some electrical tape just to be safe.

• 

  Mikinoz on 17/01/2018 - 13:05

  +6

  Id also be concerned there's no safety/cutoff switch in the house

  • 

    Peace Maker on 17/01/2018 - 13:06

    Yep. I thought they are compulsory now.

    • 

      t_c on 17/01/2018 - 13:08

      Old house built before safety switches existed. Only compulsory if you sell the house or have electrical work done post safety switch laws.

      • 

        Mikinoz on 17/01/2018 - 13:23

        +4

        Maybe as a safety measure wrap the house in electrical tape

      • 

        pat_mac on 17/01/2018 - 13:41

        +3

        Only compulsory if you value your life, and that of your family….

• 

  jsb on 17/01/2018 - 13:44

  Looks like the silicon cap has fallen off. Just cover it with electric tape. After switching the fan off. You will be fine

• 

  QW3RTY on 17/01/2018 - 13:51

  there's no safety switch in this house

  On a side note, is your Home Insurer aware of this?

  • 

    t_c on 17/01/2018 - 13:53

    I don't own the home. But this will provide good ammo for my argument. ty.

    • 

      QW3RTY on 17/01/2018 - 13:56

      I feel an insurance-related OzBargain forum post coming on…

• 

  BensonP on 17/01/2018 - 18:08

  DO NOT PLUG THIS APPLIANCE IN!!

  That's either the neutral (not a big deal) or the active (HUGE DEAL).

  You need to get a screw cap for that wire as it only has a little solder on it. That won't hold forever.

  As you've said there is not safety switch, I'm going to assume there is no Residual Current Device either? If that exposed wire is the active and contacts the frame of the fan, it could become live, and if anyone touches the exposed metal could be in for a world of pain/death.

  Get a screw cap and electrical tape it, and you should be sweet.

• 

  kipps on 18/01/2018 - 09:22

  +3

  Why repair it? Contact the seller and get a refund. This sloppy shit should cost the seller.