Numark Mixers Class 2 or not?

[theoloyla]

I have just had all my kit PAT tested again. I have recently bought a new small system for my line dancing evenings which includes a Numark mixer. I am very happy with the mixer. It seems much better than the KAM. My PAT tester is Brian Davies who is about as experienced as they come with disco equipment (former technical editor for "Disco International" and "Jocks" etc) and highly qualified in all matters electric and acoustic etc. When he tested the Numark it failed the earth test. When he examined it further it is fitted with a 3 pin IEC socket but the earth connection is not connected to the chasis (or anything). This is obviously to avoid hum. He commented that the unit was very well made and was double insulated and only needed a 2 pin mains connection but it was fitted with a 3 pin one and was not marked with the Class 2 symbol; so it should be tested as Class 1. He got onto Numark's UK technical director who confirmed that this was the case and he had raised it with his american head office who insisted on fitting the uneccessary 3 pin socket and this therefore prevented them from being able to carry the class 2 symbol. Brian has also been onto the HSE who confirm that the equipment should in theory be failed even though it is perfectly safe. Has anyone else come accross this?

[theoloyla]

I have e-mailed news of this forum to loads of other dj's etc. I hope we get some input.

[Danno13]

My numark cm200usb also failed PAT for the same reason.

I've just attached one of the turntable grounding posts to the PSU on my PC thats built into my console.. so that's restored the earth connection and i don't get any hum :)

[sleah]

and he had raised it with his american head office who insisted on fitting the uneccessary 3 pin socket and this therefore prevented them from being able to carry the class 2 symbol.

This is a case of different standards and regs accross the pond. Sadly as many Americans think they run the world, they don't see the need to make versions to comply with other local regs. We should change to suit them.
I wonder how this works with warranties?
If it fails a PAT as you state, then technically is is unfit for the purpose and a return and full refund is the order of the day, but then Numark would say it is fit for the purpose when it leaves the factory so would refuse a refund on those grounds.
Luckily, our consumer laws would actually be on our side and Numark would have no choice.

Just thought, maybe Trading Standards should be informed, then they could figure out the answer!

[CRAZY K]

I have e-mailed news of this forum to loads of other dj's etc. I hope we get some input.

On a related matter just got results of my PAT test today.

Existing gear fine, a newish looking Carlsboro mixer I had on approval from a local shop failed due to reasons not clear to the engineer or a phone call to Carlsboro:eek:

Probably component failure they said---not necessarily dangerous but COULD BREAK DOWN---

Yeah---right in the middle of the Bride and Grooms first dance:eek: :eek:

So good old PAT I say--not just safety but maybe face saving as well.

CRAZY K

[soundscapes]

both my numark cdn36, cdn35, and cm200fx failed for this and my pat tester had to get confirmation from numark themselves before he would issue a certificate.

[theoloyla]

both my numark cdn36, cdn35, and cm200fx failed for this and my pat tester had to get confirmation from numark themselves before he would issue a certificate.
Yes my experience was the same. Brian had to speak to Numark's technical director and then reluctantly passed it but he wrote to the Health & Safety Executive who told him that officially he should have failed it as it is not legal spec in this country - even though it is not dangerous.

[spin mobile disco]

Never had a problem with P.A.T on my old numark stuff, mind you I use earthed fixing rails on my system anyway. I use the cm 200 mixer and used to use cdn - 88 decks with no problems earth related. Ant the new D2 is run from an external transformer so no earth is required.