Is It Safe to Use a Cabbing Grinder Machine from India? Urgent Advice Needed

[Stefi]

TL;DR Summary

In doubt to use motor of unknown origin because of missing labels and certifications

Hello all
I recently bought a cabbing grinder machine from India and now recognize that the motor(1/2hp 230v~) doesn't have any safety label or certificate whatsoever.
I know close to nothing about motors or electricity and ask myself if it is safe to use the machine. To be honest I don't even dare to plug it in. Before I assumed that it would be safe like any other product one never worried about. I assume that the circuits and wirings must be isolated from the outer shell but what if it has leaks?
I ask myself if I am overcautious because it is not from the USA or Europe or if my concerns are legitimate.

And in general even if one has a motor from a reputable company, what happens when after many years the isolation fails? How does one recognize this failure before getting a shock. Does this always pose a hazard threat?

Thank you in advance for your help and effort.
Stefi

[Moderator's note: commercial link removed.]

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.
Your fears are real, but we cannot tell how well justified they are. If you are the importer, then you will need to get the machine inspected by a competent local electrician or engineer. We cannot perform that service reliably over the internet.

 

[Rive]

...the motor... doesn't have any safety label or certificate whatsoever.

Cannot tell from here, but likely, that big metal thing in the middle is actually not the motor, but a motor-like cover over the actual motor. Makes it look more industrial and beefy.
So on that bucket you'll find only the general label of the product, and not the details of the motor inside.

I assume that the circuits and wirings must be isolated from the outer shell but what if it has leaks?

I think for this kind of product safety ground would be a requirement (works with water). Check the plug type:

If it's a 'grounded' plug, then as long as it's used in a properly wired matching outlet, it's supposed to keep the device at safe voltage level even in case of a 'leak'.
If you have doubts then you should ask some local electrician to check the grounding (of the device and the outlet too: only works if both are proper).

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

Summary: In doubt to use motor of unknown origin because of missing labels and certifications

And in general even if one has a motor from a reputable company, what happens when after many years the isolation fails? How does one recognize this failure before getting a shock. Does this always pose a hazard threat?

To be sold in Europe, devices like that need to carry a "CE" mark and a safety mark (typically TUV in Europe). If they don't, they can't be sold there. If you bought it directly from the vendor instead of through a local distributor, then you can get sub-par equipment. So your worries are justified, IMO.

You can ask the vendor in India to send you the certification documents ("Declaration of Conformity" or DOC) for the device. If they refuse or say there are none, you can ask to return the equipment for a refund, but that likely won't go well.

As already mentioned, we cannot help you with a remote safety inspection over the Internet. You could ask a local Electrician to look at it for a fee, but I don't know if they would be willing to do that or not.

Thread will remain closed. Please be safe.