Selling home made electrical equipment?

[Kayos]

Anyone know the rules on this?
A few members on a photography forum are interested in the temp controller I built, basically a PID in a box with an SSR, and some strain relief clamps on the cables

It seems like easy money, I'm just concerned that if something goes wrong I could be blamed

I've read if I sell it in kit form or without a plug then I'm covered, but I'm not sure

Anyone done this, or have any facts about it?

 

[winchman]

First thing you need is to get some insurance, see what they say and take if forom there.

 

[julianf]

I'd sell without a plug and with a disclaimer.

 

[brightspark]

I'd sell without a plug and with a disclaimer.

and supply a wired rcd plug for them to wire in

 

[Kayos]

I thought about the no plug, an rcd would be a good idea as it's designed to control water heaters

Would a disclaimer be worth anything? I don't want to get insurance as I'm not going to be making a lot on them

 

[Sidewinder]

It MUST comply with the Low Voltage Directive requirements to be legal for sale.

 

[Kent]

product or proper trade insurance might make it less viable financially but I shouldn't do it otherwise

 

[daleyd]

Could you get them to purchase the parts and bill them for your time/ expertise in assembling it?

 

[winchman]

product or proper trade insurance might make it less viable financially but I shouldn't do it otherwise

If it wont fund the insurance its not worth doing, a disclaimer wont fight for you in court insurance will.
Most of us have no doubt had ideas about making and selling a product me included, but once you look at the must have costs IE Insurance and a good accountant and then any tax you may pay its often a non starter

 

[winchman]

Could you get them to purchase the parts and bill them for your time/ expertise in assembling it?

Yes but you still have a liability and as you charge you could have a claim made agenised you

 

[Kayos]

It's a very niche product and alltho it's pretty simple it's looking like it's not gonna be worth the hassle, I posted a guide using the Pt1000 I used originally and a lot struggled with it, the new design is more complicated hence thinking of building a few.

I will put another guide up and leave it to people's own devices

 

[Kent]

If it wont fund the insurance its not worth doing, a disclaimer wont fight for you in court insurance will.
Most of us have no doubt had ideas about making and selling a product me included, but once you look at the must have costs IE Insurance and a good accountant and then any tax you may pay its often a non starter

Disclaimers are pretty much useless as you cannot actually sign away your rights in British law

 

[Sidewinder]

It's not just the insurance there are other costs of at least £1k in the first year that are MUST have to comply with statue law and your insutance requirements if you are going to design & build anything electrical for sale.
I know, because we do!

 

[mike os]

ce marking also required?

 

[Robotstar5]

ce marking also required?

If it is not complete when sold (kit etc.) a Declaration of Incorporation will be easier/cheaper than CE marking.

 

[zx9]

ce marking also required?

That's your answer get it built and 'tested' in China, they will add the Chinese Equivalent mark.

Though could you not sell it as a kit of parts?

Edit: Crossed post with Robotstar5, great minds think alike.

 

[Kayos]

Bit of reading and it seems if it isn't mains powered it doesn't need to conform, however I'm not sure if that applies to switching on mains powered heaters

It is rather more complicated than I expected, and I don't fancy a £20k fine and 3 months inside for a few hundred quid!

 

[wookie]

If it is not complete when sold (kit etc.) a Declaration of Incorporation will be easier/cheaper than CE marking.

How about you do the "complicated stuff" and then let your customer complete the "kit" by following your basic instructions ?

I suppose it all depends on whether you can trust your customers...
a) to follow your instructions to the letter
b) agree that they only bought a kit
c) that you aren't liable if their incompetence leads them to burn their house down.

 

[colnerov]

.

 

[mike os]

How about you do the "complicated stuff" and then let your customer complete the "kit" by following your basic instructions ?

I suppose it all depends on whether you can trust your customers...
a) to follow your instructions to the letter
b) agree that they only bought a kit
c) that you aren't liable if their incompetence leads them to burn their house down.

Won't hold up.. If you are doing stuff like this you need to comply with the relevant legislation, you cannot contract out of a legal obligation