8.1.5 – Protected at least by basic insulation before installation or assembly
Clause 8.1.1 mentions that the test probe should be used when the appliance is under “normal use”, while clause 8.1.5 is evaluated prior to installation. Products such as these, which are delivered in several parts, generally require on-site installation. “Live parts of built-in appliances, fixed appliances and appliances delivered in separate units, shall be protected at least by basic insulation before installation or assembly.” Here a type of hazard during installation arises. An example is as follows:
An air-conditioning product with an auxiliary electric heater in the air-conditioner, which is installed in the indoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are packaged in two separate parts, and the two parts are delivered together to the user’s place of use. In the process of installation, if the power supply of the indoor unit is accomplished through the outdoor unit, then it is possible that, the installer first carries out the connection between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit (Note that the indoor and outdoor connection wires – interconnection cord – are already connected to the terminals of the indoor unit before distribution.), and then energizes the outdoor unit for commissioning. During the commissioning process, the installer himself or other installers may not realize that some of the components of the indoor unit are actually electrically charged (because the electrified part is the outdoor unit), and if these electrically charged parts are not protected by basic insulation, there is a risk of electric shock.
Here is just an example from the electric auxiliary heater of the air conditioner, most of the common problem points are the terminals.
From the left picture below, you can see that the air conditioner indoor unit opens the front panel, and there is a plastic cover plate on the right side of the interior that is held in place with screws, and underneath the cover plate are the terminals, and you can see the terminals in the right picture. The lower part of the terminal has several wires, which are the interconnection cord connected to the outdoor unit. if without the cover plate (the front panel is a removable part and is not generally considered to be substantially insulated), after completing the connection of the indoor and outdoor units as well as the connection of the power supply to the outdoor unit, the indoor unit terminals will be electrically charged, and there is a risk of electrocution if they are not protected by the cover panel.
