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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 6:05 pm   #1
ianm
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Default Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Back in about 1983, I purchased a new an electric glue pot, which is used for heating animal glue, typically known by its brand name of 'Pearl'.

Recently, a friend of mine saw the glue pot and commented that the outer cladding of the mains cable has the appearance of being asbestos. I had never given this any thought, but now I am wondering. It hadn't occurred to me that any electric appliance made as recently as the 1980s could still be using asbestos, as I understood it had been phased out for health and safety reasons.

Is there any easy way in which I could check this, please? I don't wish to take any unnecessary risks, so am inclined to change it if it really is what I'm suggesting.

Many thanks.
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 6:37 pm   #2
Julesomega
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

That's too modern to have used asbestos, looks like nylon braid and strands
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 6:40 pm   #3
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

I doubt that asbestos was used that recently, but OTOH it does look a bit like asbestos. I think that it is more likely to be rayon covered or similar.
I would be inclined to replace it for two reasons, firstly just in case it IS asbestos, and secondly because it has started to perish at the termination.

I suggest wearing a dust mask and doing the replacement outdoors.

Any modern type of heat resisting flexible cord should suit.

(I suspect that some asbestos covered cable was sold long after it was banned. Consider a small privately owned factory manufacturing specialist appliances. It seems possible that they might have carried on using asbestos flex until their stocks were exhausted. That could take some years. If the appliance was then kept un-sold on a distributors shelf for some more years, one might see how the odd appliance with an asbestos flex might be sold ten years or more after the ban.)
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 6:42 pm   #4
David G4EBT
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Looks like nylon to me too.

Easiest way to find out is to apply a lighter or match to the frayed end. If it’s nylon, it will melt rather than char.
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 7:02 pm   #5
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

I'd be thinking it's more like spun-glass fibres. Though perhaps with asbestos included?

Either way, looking at how it's frayed and exposed the inner wires, I'd be replacing it. Silicone-jacketed heat-resistant flex is cheap and easily-available.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-he...5m-white/5703t
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 7:11 pm   #6
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Certain forms of asbestos were still in common use in the 80s. Remember Artex? The authorities were incredibly slow to ban the stuff completely. All forms of asbestos were not banned in the UK until August 1999.

Alan

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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 10:21 pm   #7
Dave757
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Hi,

I believe CAF (Compressed Asbestos Fibre) was still permitted for
gaskets for certain gases (I can't remember which) until the early 2000's.

Kind regards
Dave

Last edited by Dave757; 23rd Nov 2019 at 10:49 pm.
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 10:27 pm   #8
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

That flex looks very similar to the one on my Philips steam iron (new in 1987)

And do I spy an MK SafetyPlug...?
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 11:30 pm   #9
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

One possiblity is to take a couple strands take them outside and put a Match to them .if it’s asbestos it won’t burn or disintegrate.
One other thing is the item double insulated as unless it’s hidden in the photo I can’t see an earth wire .
Andy
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Old 23rd Nov 2019, 11:42 pm   #10
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

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Originally Posted by Lancs Lad View Post
And do I spy an MK SafetyPlug...?
Nope, that looks like a BICC plug. Quite well made but a bit thin to grip for pulling out.

David
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 12:46 am   #11
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

It is a Legrand plug on my iron, David - but I actually meant the MK one on the glue pot!

See second picture in post #1.
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 1:41 am   #12
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

I'm sure the asbestos queries will continue but if this was mine I'd change the cable entry grommet as the existing one shows a certain amount of disintegration and appears to have been slit end to end to allow fitting to the cable after connecting the conductors.I've been there many times.Peter.
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 1:55 am   #13
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

I think that's probably a moulding mark, but the blue/brown wiring colour code would seem to me to make any asbestos in it's manufacture unlikely.
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 10:44 am   #14
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

You're probably right about the moulding mark Bill,but if you look at the right hand clamp screw there appears to be a split in the rubber which whilst not life threatening will require attention at some time.Peter.
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 12:09 pm   #15
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Whatever else might need attention, the strain relief arrangement at the pot end needs to be remade properly!

Hope it's better controlled at the plug end.
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Old 24th Nov 2019, 7:51 pm   #16
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Hello,
It might be cotton covered which was quite common for heat resisting flexes at one time.
Yours Richard
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Old 25th Nov 2019, 12:52 pm   #17
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

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Originally Posted by AC/HL View Post
....... but the blue/brown wiring colour code would seem to me to make any asbestos in it's manufacture unlikely.
Sorry but I fail to see the connection between asbestos use and the switch to the blue/brown wiring code. The colour code change began in the late 60s long before the true dangers of asbestos were widely accepted or known.

I would reiterate what I said in an earlier post in that many things manufactured in the UK right up until the end of the last century could contain asbestos in some form or other. Furthermore it was still in widespread use in the early 80s when the cable in question was made.

If it were my appliance I'd replace the cable with a silicone version along with the strain relief which is clearly perished.

Alan
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Old 25th Nov 2019, 7:06 pm   #18
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

I have an iron with similar flex, used for iron on edging strip. Would be vintage 1988 probably. Pretty certain its some kind of cotton blend over rubber (hopefully silicon rubber).
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Old 25th Nov 2019, 8:16 pm   #19
ajgriff
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

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Originally Posted by duncanlowe View Post
..... cotton blend over rubber (hopefully silicon rubber).
I'm sure it's been mentioned before but the element silicon should not be confused with polymers (polysiloxanes) generally referred to as silicones. As ever, sorry to be pedantic.

Alan
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Old 26th Nov 2019, 10:34 am   #20
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Default Re: Is this appliance mains cable asbestos clad?

Asbestos flexibles tend to be 'fluffy' to the touch. That one looks like a modern-day 'heatproof' type, but without the garish colour.
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