Issue Date:  -  Friday, 26 August 2005

More Unsafe Portable Generators Banned

Energy Safety has ordered that additional unsafe portable generators be withdrawn from sale, hire or use.

Director of Energy Safety Albert Koenig issued a prohibition notice on the following generators and associated battery charging leads sold between 1984 and 1996: Crommelins (model R1210), Robin (model R1200 and R1210), Subaru (model R1200), Dunlite (model D1210) and Nissan (model GL1200).

“Owners of these types of generators or similarly configured generators and battery charging leads must stop using them immediately,” Mr Koenig said.

The action stems from a recent death involving a similarly configured early model portable generator and an associated flexible lead that had a plug top that could be plugged into both the 12 Volt DC and the 240 Volt AC socket-outlets of the generator.

These generator models were sold between 1984 and 1996 and incorporated both a 240 Volt AC socket-outlet and a 12 Volt DC socket-outlet (typically used for battery charging purposes) that has a similar configuration to a 240 Volt socket-outlet.

 “Any lead that has a plug that can be inserted into both the generator 12 Volt DC and the 240 Volt AC socket-outlet must be destroyed immediately,” Mr Koenig said.

Crommelins Machinery imported and distributed most of the generators and are cooperating with Energy Safety and will arrange suitable ‘at no cost’ modifications for any of the above mentioned generators.

In April this year, a similar ban was imposed on Honda EM500 generators and associated leads sold before 1981.

For further information, persons should contact Crommelins Machinery: WA (metro) 9350 5588, WA (country) 1800 655 588, all other States/Territories 1300 650 659.