BS EN 61243-3 2010 Voltage Indicators

[bramptonnozzers]

Might be panicking a bit here but, have been looking at getting a proving unit and noticed a few Martindale packages come with the voltage indicator and they have this message in the write-up which states ;

Martindale VI13800 Voltage Indicator
The new VI13800 is identical to the industry standard VI13700 except that it doesn’t have a fuse.

This is so that it will comply with BS EN61243-3 2010 which came into force in May 2013. This standard bans the use of fuses in 2 pole voltage indicators.

What are people using at the moment and have they now binned their fused AVI's? I struggle to understand why a piece of equipment can be deemed acceptable to use at 23:59 on the 30th April 2013 but a minute later it no longer conforms to legislation! My voltage indicator is in excellent condition and has served me well and also has BS EN 61243-3 stamped on it! Only concerned because ELECSA are due round next month and don't want a £200+ revisit to see a shiny new AVI I have tried searching on here for any mention of this but to no avail and have also looked at the NICEIC pocket guide 12 on TEST INSTRUMENT LEADS
http://niceic.com/en/account/media/17thpg12.pdf
my interpretation of section 7 means a fuse may not be necessary (I couldn't find it banning the use of fused AVI's anywhere). If I am missing the obvious please let me know. Or is it Martindale's interpretation of how to sell the unfused AVI's as now allegedly compliant for a few squid more.

Cheers
ps anyone want to buy a fused AVI as I might be selling one

 

[Brightspark2]

It will just mean the British standard has been updated not that it is un-acceptable to use ones built to the old British standard.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Might be panicking a bit here but, have been looking at getting a proving unit and noticed a few Martindale packages come with the voltage indicator and they have this message in the write-up which states ;

Martindale VI13800 Voltage Indicator
The new VI13800 is identical to the industry standard VI13700 except that it doesn’t have a fuse.

This is so that it will comply with BS EN61243-3 2010 which came into force in May 2013. This standard bans the use of fuses in 2 pole voltage indicators.

What are people using at the moment and have they now binned their fused AVI's? I struggle to understand why a piece of equipment can be deemed acceptable to use at 23:59 on the 30th April 2013 but a minute later it no longer conforms to legislation! My voltage indicator is in excellent condition and has served me well and also has BS EN 61243-3 stamped on it! Only concerned because ELECSA are due round next month and don't want a £200+ revisit to see a shiny new AVI I have tried searching on here for any mention of this but to no avail and have also looked at the NICEIC pocket guide 12 on TEST INSTRUMENT LEADS
http://niceic.com/en/account/media/17thpg12.pdf
my interpretation of section 7 means a fuse may not be necessary (I couldn't find it banning the use of fused AVI's anywhere). If I am missing the obvious please let me know. Or is it Martindale's interpretation of how to sell the unfused AVI's as now allegedly compliant for a few squid more.

Cheers
ps anyone want to buy a fused AVI as I might be selling one

what does it say in GN3....

go on...take a look in there...dont be scared..its designed to help you...

tell you what...just this once (as i`m feeling in a good mood) i`ll explain:

1.1 -3 GN3 states:
checking that the instruments being used conform to the appropriate british standard safety specifications. These are BS EN 61010 (safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use) and BS 5458; 1977 (1993) specification for safety requirements for indicating and recording electrical measuring instruments and their accessories. BS 5458 has been withdrawn, but is the standard to which older instruments should have been manufactured.

so...the point here is just because you have an AVI which has been manufactured to an older BS no./spec....doesn`t mean that it isn`t good for continued service....does it...

 

[bramptonnozzers]

Agree with you brightspark2 and glennspark I should not have got sucked into Martindales scaremongering selling tactics! Mine even has the current BS EN61243-3 2010 mark which is what got me wondering why it was marked as such even though it is a fused AVI. Did pick up GN3 but threw it back in the cupboard after noticing it was 5th edition (yellow/red band) ordering the full set as hoping to sit C&G 2396 this year. Obviously need to buff up on my interpretation/deciphering skills

 

[bramptonnozzers]

Thanks for being in a good mood GLENNSPARK

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Thanks for being in a good mood GLENNSPARK

enjoy it while it lasts...