If you really want to be EMPLOYED in the USA you may find this useful, but as a percentage of users the number is tiny. (Compare with guns or cars).

Oh no David, I don't want to get involved in any way with dangerous rotating machinery. But the thought of becoming a well paid American lawyer does appeal to me.

Z.

My Myford Super 7 lathe that left the factory in 1964 would fail today's H&S standards.

No no emergency stops, no interlocked chuck guard, no lead screw cover, no chip guard etc etc

On the upside I do have a modern drill press with an emergency stop and a foot operated emergency stop and an interlocked chuck clear chuck guard. 

Hi John Peckham ,

Not saying this type of lathe can't be connected, or shouldn't be used, but it's potentially a tricky situation for a professional electrician if anything were to go wrong, especially as for a domestic Client ... you effectively take on all the CDM duties as well as Building Regs bits and pieces etc, PLUS any replacements, mods or wiring within the "machinery" (say of reversing switch) the relevant bits would be to standards other than BS 7671?

Perhaps not a "don't ever go there" position. Would a suitably worded contract help sort out some of the tricky legal issues?

I would guess it's easier (in terms of exposure to a lawsuit) on the electrician or contractor if the same situation came up for commercial/industrial installation (although there'd still be a duty to at least point out any deficiencies the contractor was aware of, for a decision by the Client)?

Apologies, also in the above, I meant to mention something specific.

Alan B said:

The customer has an old forward/reverse switch, my guess is 30 years old with metal case , but looks in good condition. My specific concern is that the switch has a leaver to rotate it and a center off position, it could easily be used to switch the motor off and then knocked on.

So, the main reasoning for mentioning the fact that BS 7671 isn't the standard, is that replacing this switch would not be covered in BS 7671 - out of scope - and other standards, including BS EN 60204-1 and BS EN 60073, plus other attendant standards, would have to be considered. Which causes a plethora of issues, potentially, with older equipment.

Don't worry, I can trump that with a belt driven 1904 Drummond that has no guards at all and occasionally fires the drivebelt over the shoulder of the operator if overloaded

Mike.

I really do think that this is being over-thought for a home workshop.

I don't really see the reason for not having a plug and socket. I do on my Myford 254, which does have an emergency stop button, an interlinked chuck/chip guard, lead screw cover, and (with thanks to this forum) a brake on the motor. There is an isolator on the machine right where the supply enters, but if I am doing anything with the drive belt (interlocked cover too) I still unplug. I have 10 fingers and thumbs and want to keep them.

If the lathe is wired to an NVR switch on the wall, it will still need a reversing switch. I am not sure what IP rating has to do with it.

Perhaps the principle here is no ensure that the installation is no less safe than you found it.

Is the reversing switch that is shown above in the photo mechanical only  Chris? Is reversing achieved only through gears?

Z.

On many single phase machines that have a centrifugal switch to disconnect the starter winding once at speed, as it is the starter winding contacts that reverse  once running it does not reverse, so must pass through dead stop before restarting in the new direction.
M.

IIRC, there are 4 conductors in the cable from the switch to the motor.