Black Museum

This is our 'Black Museum' were we show examples of some of the unsafe items we have found in the course of our work. Many of these items were in regular use despite obvious problems. This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of unsafe or potentially unsafe items we have found over the years, which demonstrates the need for routing checking of equipment.

	This little cracker blew a hole in the earth conductor but left the live phase wire intact. The fault was caused by incorrect assembly of the plug.
	The casing on this plug has been cracked right open exposing the live wiring. And it was still in active service just as you see it here!
	Here is another damaged plug. This one was also being used just as you see it!
	Sometimes an attempt is made to repair damaged plugs - in this instance with double sided sticky tape.
	Electrical first aid. Another attempt to repair a broken plug.
	Cord grips are sometimes prone to failure. Eventually the inside insulation may fail too, exposing live conductors.
	This plug and socket was removed from a diathermy unit. It was used to connect a foot switch and the socket terminals were live with mains power when the switch was unplugged! It was supplied like this from the factory and was in regular use.
	Kapow! This cord exploded. The appliance was then put back on the shelf ready for the next unwary user.
	This badly cut cord was found on a physiotherapy couch. It had repeatedly been damaged by the metal feet on the couch to the point where the copper conductors are exposed. A repair has been attempted with tape on the lower section.
	Another cord from a physiotherapy couch. This one had become entangled in the lifting mechanism. Note that these couches have a metal frame which is usually unearthed (the actuator is double insulated). If live conductors contact the frame it too will become live.
	Yes, that's copper you can see there! Both conductors just ready to short out, all nicely hidden under a piece of sticking plaster. DIY repairs are not a good idea!!!
	The switch is broken on this examination lamp. Where the button should be are live contacts. The cord is cut where it exits the equipoise arm (lower right) and the cord grip has pulled out. Still in daily use when found, this is another accident waiting to happen.
	This time a DIY modification. A switch as been added to a nebuliser. The only trouble is the switch terminals are exposed (fingers can easily be inserted) and the only cord restraint is a couple of cable ties. People who undertake such illegal and dangerous modifications leave themselves open to prosecution.
	A reasonably modern lamp, but the manufacturer has got it wrong this time. The switch is in the neutral (blue) wire instead of the phase (brown) wire. This means the lamp terminals are still live even when the switch is off - be careful where you put your fingers when changing the bulb!
	Another problem with colour coding. The earth wire on this Asian appliance is red. In New Zealand red wires are used for phase (live). How easy it would be to liven up the case of the appliance if the plug was to be replaced. Good reason why overseas appliances must meet local standard for use here.
	This appliance should be earthed; however the adaptor used with the foreign plug only has two pins. The unit works so why worry?
	Another example of a dangerous adaptor. It the switch was turned on the exposed pin would be live. Such 2-pin adaptors are not approved for use in New Zealand.