EU Safety Gate · Report-2008-2

Vidal · Lighting chains of 100 miniature coloured lamps

The product poses a risk of electric shock because:the transformer is not compliant in respect of: - protection against adverse effects: the transformer did not pass the subsequent hygroscopic test and the test of electrical rigidity between the live parts of the primary circuit and the live parts of the secondary circuit, - the primary and secondary circuits are not electrically separated from each other,- the transformer does not have a protection rating of IP 24, - it does not bear the symbol indicating that it is a short-circuit-proof transformer for portable Class III luminaires for use with tungsten filament lamps (integrated or not), instead of the symbol for a short-circuit proof transformer with circuit separation, and the marks printed on the transformer information panel are not indelible,- the transformer is equipped with condensers that create an electrical connection between the primary and secondary circuits;and because the luminaire is not compliant in respect of: - the terminals do not pass the test for the efficiency of permanent connections and the cable did not pass the tensile test,- in accordance with the type of protection against electric shock this appears to be a Class II lighting chain, but on the electronic control equipment it is shown as being Class III. Furthermore, the packaging bears the words “100% exterior”, while both the instructions and a label attached to the chain state that this is for indoor use. It therefore presents contradictory information regarding its classification. The product does not comply with the Low Voltage Directive and the relevant European standard EN 60598.