Thread: Bandsaw

Originally Posted by normanarch

Could someone on the forum please advise re the following:
I`ve recently purchased a small bandsaw and I find the plug on the lead has 2 round pins. (European type plug)
I have an adaptor to convert the lead to suite a 3 pin power point and the machine works.
Should the electric motor on the bandsaw require an earth.?
Is it ok to operate the machine using an adaptor that obviously does`nt have an earth connection.??

New or used?

If you bought it from EU then chances are (the motor) is doubly insulated and hence probably certified to run without an earth.
If you bought it from "China" or "used" then even if it says it's certified it may not be.
Even some gear from China that is supposed earthed is sometimes not.

It should be marked for voltage etc. sounds like it works. (don't know what happens when american -110V stuff is fed 240V ) A simple test would be to hook up multi meter or very low voltage power to the pins and the body to see if anything is obviously live. Would ask a propper(ie. not me) sparky and get a proper plug put on.

Get it checked by a licensed electrician, it may cost but what cost do you put it n your life

Originally Posted by wood spirit

It should be marked for voltage etc. sounds like it works. (don't know what happens when american -110V stuff is fed 240V ) A simple test would be to hook up multi meter or very low voltage power to the pins and the body to see if anything is obviously live. Would ask a propper(ie. not me) sparky and get a proper plug put on.

It likely lets the blue smoke escape. Saw it happen to a stereo bought in Japan. The guy brought it back to the ship and plugged into 240v. Some smoke, some smell no music. Electricity is great when things are done right and not so good when things are not done right.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

It likely lets the blue smoke escape. Saw it happen to a stereo bought in Japan. The guy brought it back to the ship and plugged into 240v. Some smoke, some smell no music. Electricity is great when things are done right and not so good when things are not done right.
Regards
John

Thanks to all those who responded to my query re the bandsaw with the European connection.
I bought an adaptor and plugged in the machine and it works ok.
According to the people I bought the machine from, that is all that was required.
No smoke, no electrical smell and no shock using the machine so I have taken their word for it that it is safe to use the machine.
Fingers crossed,
Norm.

Hi normanarch, I saw that the machine is working, however, it doesn't require an earth to operate. It does require an earth if there is a possibility that the frame can come in contact with a live wire. If something is damaged and the frame contacts a live wire then the electricity's route back to the switchboard is via your body. We don't want that.
Check on the motor and look for the double insulated symbol

If it has that you should be good to go. If it doesn't you should get an electrician to wire it to Australian standards with a good earth connection.