"Gardening loving Brit" electrocuted while mowing the lawn in Khon Kaen

 

Source: Sanook

 

A British pensioner was electrocuted while trying to mow his back lawn at his house in Chumpae, Khon Kaen yesterday.

 

Seventy six year old Anthony Stratton was found dressed only in white shorts by an electric mower.

 

The body was found by his wife Saengdao, 41, who had been out for the day.

 

She returned from her shop at 5pm and called the cops.

 

The police arrived at house number 160 in Moo 14 of Ban Non Samran to find a large number of neighbors discussing what had happened.

 

The mower was connected to an extension cord from the mains in the house. There was signs of damage to the extension cord plug.

 

There were signs of swelling on the victim's face and a burn mark on his left thumb. There were no signs of a struggle.

 

Police suspect that Mr Stratton was having problems starting his mower and went to examine the connection. They said he might have forgotten that it was plugged in at the mains. They believe he was electrocuted.

 

Saengdao said they had lived together at the house for ten years. In tears she described her husband as a hard working man who loved gardening.

 

He was home alone at the time.

 

The body was sent for autopsy to hospital in Khon Kaen.

 

Source: Sanook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-08-02

RIP because of no RCD ?

 

We have a petrol mower so no issue there, but I've lost count of the number of times the hired-help has cut the cord of the hedge trimmer and tripped the RCD.

 

It used to be a common cause of death in the UK until RCDs were mandated by law as they are supposed to be in Thailand.

A ground trip device might not have even been sufficient to save this poor guy. 

Wet grass. Wearing non-insulated flip flops? 

Recipe for disaster. 

RIP 

18 minutes ago, Crossy said:

RIP because of no RCD ?

 

We have a petrol mower so no issue there, but I've lost count of the number of times the hired-help has cut the cord of the hedge trimmer and tripped the RCD.

 

It used to be a common cause of death in the UK until RCDs were mandated by law as they are supposed to be in Thailand.

I guess and RCD is a cut out of sorts....but I think it is always helpful not to assume that all the readers are familiar with the "codes" when writing on a subject as serious as this one. There are so many different trades and professions out there ......apart from our own one (if we have one that is).

  My sincerest condolences to the wife, family and loved ones of the deceased.

10 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

I guess and RCD is a cut out of sorts

Indeed it is, you may know it as a GFCI, ELCB or one of a myriad of other acronyms dependent upon where in the world you originate. Generally in Thailand it's known as a "Safe-T-Cut" which is actually a brand name.

 

Do you have one? Look in your electrical panel for a breaker with a "Test" button, no test button = no RCD. Go and look now!

 

If you don't have one I strongly recommend that you get one installed, all the big box stores sell them and most will install for you too. It may well save your life as it probably would this poor chap.

 

Tragic, gets to 76 and all is well, then he passes in the garden he loves. Poor fellow. RIP

 

 

I have one on my fusebox and an extra plug-in one for the garden. Also remember Les Harvey (Stone The Crows).

RIP,

So easily avoided as @Crossy has said, I had my whole house rewired using two pole breakers and an additional RCD on each phase, no desire to end my existence in this manner.

Cost of saving a life, 2,500 Baht https://www.thianthong.com/safe-t-cut-rcbo-special-a-series-r20.html

I know I go on about these every time someone dies needlessly in their shower / pool / garden, but hopefully the message will get across to all our members.

 

33 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

A ground trip device might not have even been sufficient to save this poor guy. 

Wet grass. Wearing non-insulated flip flops? 

Recipe for disaster. 

RIP 

Quite possibly. The limits (30mA, 30ms, 30V) were chosen as a compromise that would minimise nuisance trips whilst protecting 90% of the population. The elderly and very young have a much lower tolerance.

 

BUT. It would likely have tripped as soon as he clipped the cord, before he started looking for the problem.

 

This gardening hating Brit also cut his grass yesterday with a similar setup when your numbers up its up RIP?? 

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Cost of saving a life, 2,500 Baht https://www.thianthong.com/safe-t-cut-rcbo-special-a-series-r20.html

I know I go on about these every time someone dies needlessly in their shower / pool / garden, but hopefully the message will get across to all our members.

 

Yes. please keep on bringing it up every time someone is electrocuted or even when asking about installations.

 

Reading the posts in this sub forum quite a few TV members have indicated that have added RCD s to their installations. Agreed that it's not 100% protection against electrocution but it's helluva lot better than not having one. In fact your urging could have already saved a life or lives.

 

Keep up the 'going on' about RCDs.

 

 

34 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Indeed it is, you may know it as a GFCI, ELCB or one of a myriad of other acronyms dependent upon where in the world you originate. Generally in Thailand it's known as a "Safe-T-Cut" which is actually a brand name.

 

Do you have one? Look in your electrical panel for a breaker with a "Test" button, no test button = no RCD. Go and look now!

 

If you don't have one I strongly recommend that you get one installed, all the big box stores sell them and most will install for you too. It may well save your life as it probably would this poor chap.

 

I wouldnt rely on the "big  stores"  staff whomever  they employ, I once had Tescos finest come and wire up my aircon, two wires only   purple and green and Green wasnt the earth..............told me it didnt need  the earth. 

Got  rid ,never had anyone else in to do electrics anywhere at my place, at least I know whats whats and where and how its  all connected, right size cables breakers and colours in sheathing some undeground

29 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Cost of saving a life, 2,500 Baht https://www.thianthong.com/safe-t-cut-rcbo-special-a-series-r20.html

I know I go on about these every time someone dies needlessly in their shower / pool / garden, but hopefully the message will get across to all our members.

 

Global House sell  much smaller "add on"  ones now as a cheaper way to do it albeit  shutting down the whole  supply not just a circuit, All u have to do is wire the incoming 2  cables into it  and then onto your main box. Various  sizes available but max  cable entry size is 10mm on incoming..........350 baht 30ma trip.

My staff recently managed to drop and extension lead into my lake and then tried to fish it out with bare  hands!! Fortunately the breaker worked and it was  all dead, but they never gave it a second  thought to just grab it whilst submerged............that for me is even more incredible

3 minutes ago, kannot said:

two wires only   purple and green and Green wasnt the earth..............told me it didnt need  the earth. 

I know exactly what you mean, but many of us have no real choice but to use "The Professionals" (cue Bodie and Doyle).

 

We had all our aircons installed by the HomePro chaps, very clean job, correct cable, earthed. This was HomePro Rangsit. YMMV ?

 

26 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Indeed it is, you may know it as a GFCI, ELCB or one of a myriad of other acronyms dependent upon where in the world you originate. Generally in Thailand it's known as a "Safe-T-Cut" which is actually a brand name.

 

Do you have one? Look in your electrical panel for a breaker with a "Test" button, no test button = no RCD. Go and look now!

 

If you don't have one I strongly recommend that you get one installed, all the big box stores sell them and most will install for you too. It may well save your life as it probably would this poor chap.

 

I am just about to install a new consumer unit, probably Siemens or ABB and will be using a RCD with the CB’s.

Are you recommending the Safe T cut simply because they are easier to retrofit as it where, when there is no spare position on the consumer unit, or are there other advantages to the Safe T cut?

In my case the wiring is all new, all outlets 3 pin earthed and installed in a wooden construction.

 

PS you do very well to keep on about Electrical safety devices

you have my fullest support that’s for sure 

 

1 minute ago, kannot said:

Global House sell  much smaller "add on"  ones now as a cheaper way to do it albeit  shutting down the whole  supply not just a circuit, All u have to do is wire the incoming 2  cables into it  and then onto your main box.

Yes, I know the little RCBOs, excellent value and ideal for protecting your water heater. BUT, they are not rated for use as a main breaker (hence the 10mm² max cable)

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

I know exactly what you mean, but many of us have no real choice but to use "The Professionals" (cue Bodie and Doyle).

 

We had all our aircons installed by the HomePro chaps, very clean job, correct cable, earthed. This was HomePro Rangsit. YMMV ?

 

Yep thats half the problem "YMMV"............ this  type is the  breaker they now sell although Its  not a Crabtree its  similar type

1 minute ago, I wonder said:

Are you recommending the Safe T cut simply because they are easier to retrofit as it where, when there is no spare position on the consumer unit, or are there other advantages to the Safe T cut?

Partly. They are definitely an easy retrofit and when talking to a Thai sparks he will (almost) certainly understand "Safe-T-Cut".

 

For a new install using RCDs in your consumer unit / breaker box is a neater and cheaper method.

 

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Yes, I know the little RCBOs, excellent value and ideal for protecting your water heater. BUT, they are not rated for use as a main breaker (hence the 10mm² max cable)

They go up to 40amps max, 40-30-20 marked on the boxes, depends I guess on  how  much you need, I only have 1  aircon, 1  water heater ( built  in trip on that) Lights and sockets, doubt  i draw much at all, house only 50m2

Yes a cut-out would of course be great! Has anybody actually seen the cabling that is running down streets to most places?? You are lucky to walk down any street, without having to dodge a live wire hanging down. I have also seen lots of wiring that has been installed by a professional Thai Electrician!!! Ha!! This poor guy did not have a chance. Just recently a father and son were electrocuted while working on the pool filter system. One man died peeing on a lamp post. I have been in showers, where I could feel small current running. Rubber gloves, rubber boots and a grounding strap attached to your foot at all times, is the only solution. Good luck.

Sad to be thrown out of a supposedly happy life by such an accident.

 

I drive through this neighborhood often.

Not sure but possible that I have seen him on some occasion.

Maybe I will hear more about him.

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Partly. They are definitely an easy retrofit and when talking to a Thai sparks he will (almost) certainly understand "Safe-T-Cut".

 

For a new install using RCDs in your consumer unit / breaker box is a neater and cheaper method.

 

Thanks Crossy.....

I do not wish to change this thread . But I see lots of guys here have good knowledge about these kind of things .Maybe some one can answer a question I have  and explain how to fix.

    My hotwater heater in the shower was well grounded,with a thick copper wire. Some how this got cut on the outside wall. I do not know how to fix other than replace.

  You guys are way more knowledgeable than me I have no idea what a RCBO or YMMV is or how to put it in. But I really like the idea  Do you think I could get something like that installed by a shop I buy it at?

  By the way what is RCBO and YMMV?

 

6 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Partly. They are definitely an easy retrofit and when talking to a Thai sparks he will (almost) certainly understand "Safe-T-Cut".

 

For a new install using RCDs in your consumer unit / breaker box is a neater and cheaper method.

 

what is the life of cycle expectation of these units?     I had one tripping almost on a daily pattern (an undergound cabling conduit to the garden outlets was full of water) 

 The Eleco' said these things wear out quickly from 'cycling, such as what ours was experiencing over time

I had to look it up.

 

RCD means:

Rotating Control Device (oil engineering), or

Reed Construction Data (Norcross, GA), or

Received, or

etc (total 51 meanings)

Source: https://www.acronymfinder.com/RCD.html

 

1 minute ago, Maestro said:

I had to look it up.

 

RCD means:

Rotating Control Device (oil engineering), or

Reed Construction Data (Norcross, GA), or

Received, or

etc,

Source: https://www.acronymfinder.com/RCD.html

 

try this:

https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2014/11/elcb-rcb-rcd.html

2 minutes ago, tifino said:

try this:

https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2014/11/elcb-rcb-rcd.html

 

Thank you.

 

RCD means

Residual circuit breaker, or

Residual Current Devices

Source: https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2014/11/elcb-rcb-rcd.html

So sad for the gentleman who perished. And many thanks to one and all for the posts and information about protecting myself from such dangers. I am grateful.