110v industrial sockets

Question

I have come across some 110v industrial sockets (BSEN60309) which are installed in a utilities company's premises and which are not installed as Reduced Low Voltage (RLV) as detailed in BS7671. 
 
 I do understand that the RLV is required for constructions sites and similar premises due to the method of connection of the secondary which had a Line to Earth voltage of 55V. 
 
 The ones I have encountered have the Earth pin of the yellow 110v sockets connected to the primary earth, and when tested at the sockets there is 110v Line to Earth, and there is no connection of the Earth pin to a centre tapping of the double wound 240/110v transformer. 
 
 My thoughts are that, although the premises is not actually a BS7671 section 704 location, it does actually present similar hazards that might be encountered on a building site, and that having decided to install 110v sockets, presumably for safety reasons, why would you not ensure they were RLV where I believe there are no known incidents of electrocution? 
 
 I cannot find any guidance in the Safety First Best Practice Guide as to if a Classification code should be applied, but I am thinking that as an absolute minimum, the client should be informed in writing of the situation. 
 
 What do others think?

gkenyon · Answer

BS 7671 permits RLV to be used anywhere, but it's only mandated on construction sites. 
 
 According to BS EN IEC 60209-2, there is really nothing to prevent the 4h-keyed yellow plugs and socket-outlets from being used on either system. 
 
 This would really be an observation to discuss with the duty-holder, as it's their H&S / electrical safety risk assessment at the end of the day. I agree that the system does not offer any additional safety over a 230 V supply at present, and so it's a fair question to ask. However, unless 10 or 30 mA RCD protection has been omitted (which you don't discuss yourself, but has been mentioned by others) it does not appear, at least from the information provided in this thread, to be a non-conformity with BS 7671. 
 However, if 30 mA or 10 mA RCD protection is not provided for socket-outlets with rating not exceeding 32 A, I would definitely consider providing a coding.

110v industrial sockets

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