JW
Jacques W
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2010
13 Feb 2019, 15:21
Inferior ACDC Dynamics High Voltage Tape
I purchased a roll of ACDC High Voltage tape to isolate the the high voltage connection on the installation of a laser tube for one of my customers. We tested the connection properly after the installation and there were no high voltage leaks. I got a call from the customer two weeks later telling me something's wrong. The connection started leaking and this caused the new tube also to get damaged. This was a huge setback for my customer who runs a small business, who cannot afford this. I set up a test comparing the ACDC High Voltage tape with another brand with the same specs. the test is on You Tube video "ACDC Dynamics High Voltage tape test". As you could see from the video it failed the test. I contacted the supplier more than 3 weeks ago, and have still not received any reaction from ACDC Dynamics . It is really shocking that they don't take this seriously, because it is inferior products like these that cause fires, and we have had more than enough of that in South Africa recently.
Helpful (0)
Replies (8)0
Replies (8)
ACDC Dynamics's replyOfficial
14 Feb 2019, 08:08Hi Jacques,
Thank you for taking the time to make the video demonstrating your issue, this is something that we take very seriously. Could you please supply us with the part number of the tape you are using, as well as the invoice number where you purchased it? We will be looking into this issue immediately.
Thank you for taking the time to make the video demonstrating your issue, this is something that we take very seriously. Could you please supply us with the part number of the tape you are using, as well as the invoice number where you purchased it? We will be looking into this issue immediately.
ACDC Dynamics's reply14 Feb 2019, 08:08
Official
Hi Jacques,
Thank you for taking the time to make the video demonstrating your issue, this is something that we take very seriously. Could you please supply us with the part number of the tape you are using, as well as the invoice number where you purchased it? We will be looking into this issue immediately.
Thank you for taking the time to make the video demonstrating your issue, this is something that we take very seriously. Could you please supply us with the part number of the tape you are using, as well as the invoice number where you purchased it? We will be looking into this issue immediately.
ACDC Dynamics's replyOfficial
15 Feb 2019, 08:07Hi Jacques,
After investigating with our technical department, we have discovered that due to your earlier communications, they are aware of your complaint, and they have been communicating with our supplier, as well as conducting tests of their own, in order to get to the bottom of the problem. As soon as we have a resolution we will let you know.
After investigating with our technical department, we have discovered that due to your earlier communications, they are aware of your complaint, and they have been communicating with our supplier, as well as conducting tests of their own, in order to get to the bottom of the problem. As soon as we have a resolution we will let you know.
ACDC Dynamics's reply15 Feb 2019, 08:07
Official
Hi Jacques,
After investigating with our technical department, we have discovered that due to your earlier communications, they are aware of your complaint, and they have been communicating with our supplier, as well as conducting tests of their own, in order to get to the bottom of the problem. As soon as we have a resolution we will let you know.
After investigating with our technical department, we have discovered that due to your earlier communications, they are aware of your complaint, and they have been communicating with our supplier, as well as conducting tests of their own, in order to get to the bottom of the problem. As soon as we have a resolution we will let you know.
JW
Jacques W's updateReviewer Update
03 Mar 2019, 12:42It is now more than 5 weeks, since our complaint. We have still received no feedback up to date. It does not look as if ACDC take this seriously. As I understand it, they are waiting for the Chinese to take responsibility, but I don't think they will. It looks like we don't have any other option than to consider taking legal action.
JW
Jacques W's update03 Mar 2019, 12:42
Reviewer Update
It is now more than 5 weeks, since our complaint. We have still received no feedback up to date. It does not look as if ACDC take this seriously. As I understand it, they are waiting for the Chinese to take responsibility, but I don't think they will. It looks like we don't have any other option than to consider taking legal action.
ACDC Dynamics's replyOfficial
05 Mar 2019, 13:48Hi Jacques,
The investigation that we have undertaken is quite detailed, and has unfortunately taken a substantial amount of time.
We have re-confirmed that our supplier has the correct certification required for the product, which means that all the required tests for the certification have been successfully passed. We are now questioning the specifications of these tests, and further investigating their methodology.
What has been pointed out by our supplier, is that in your video, the tape you are using is rated at 40kV/mm, and you have run the test at 40KW, but the tape you are using is 0.76mm thick, meaning that you are correct, at 40KW, tape that is less than a millimeter thick will understandably fail, as you are exceeding its rated specifications.
The next step in or investigation will be to examine the installation. Will it be possible for you to please send pictures of the installation, as well as of the point where the failure occurred? If you have these on hand, can you please email them through to *** , we will add these to the information pool of the investigation, and continue to search for the issue.
The investigation that we have undertaken is quite detailed, and has unfortunately taken a substantial amount of time.
We have re-confirmed that our supplier has the correct certification required for the product, which means that all the required tests for the certification have been successfully passed. We are now questioning the specifications of these tests, and further investigating their methodology.
What has been pointed out by our supplier, is that in your video, the tape you are using is rated at 40kV/mm, and you have run the test at 40KW, but the tape you are using is 0.76mm thick, meaning that you are correct, at 40KW, tape that is less than a millimeter thick will understandably fail, as you are exceeding its rated specifications.
The next step in or investigation will be to examine the installation. Will it be possible for you to please send pictures of the installation, as well as of the point where the failure occurred? If you have these on hand, can you please email them through to *** , we will add these to the information pool of the investigation, and continue to search for the issue.
ACDC Dynamics's reply05 Mar 2019, 13:48
Official
Hi Jacques,
The investigation that we have undertaken is quite detailed, and has unfortunately taken a substantial amount of time.
We have re-confirmed that our supplier has the correct certification required for the product, which means that all the required tests for the certification have been successfully passed. We are now questioning the specifications of these tests, and further investigating their methodology.
What has been pointed out by our supplier, is that in your video, the tape you are using is rated at 40kV/mm, and you have run the test at 40KW, but the tape you are using is 0.76mm thick, meaning that you are correct, at 40KW, tape that is less than a millimeter thick will understandably fail, as you are exceeding its rated specifications.
The next step in or investigation will be to examine the installation. Will it be possible for you to please send pictures of the installation, as well as of the point where the failure occurred? If you have these on hand, can you please email them through to *** , we will add these to the information pool of the investigation, and continue to search for the issue.
The investigation that we have undertaken is quite detailed, and has unfortunately taken a substantial amount of time.
We have re-confirmed that our supplier has the correct certification required for the product, which means that all the required tests for the certification have been successfully passed. We are now questioning the specifications of these tests, and further investigating their methodology.
What has been pointed out by our supplier, is that in your video, the tape you are using is rated at 40kV/mm, and you have run the test at 40KW, but the tape you are using is 0.76mm thick, meaning that you are correct, at 40KW, tape that is less than a millimeter thick will understandably fail, as you are exceeding its rated specifications.
The next step in or investigation will be to examine the installation. Will it be possible for you to please send pictures of the installation, as well as of the point where the failure occurred? If you have these on hand, can you please email them through to *** , we will add these to the information pool of the investigation, and continue to search for the issue.
JW
Jacques W's updateReviewer Update
05 Mar 2019, 14:03Please take note I have supp**** the specifications of the power supply, that is 35kV and not 40kV. Any reputable engineer ad a safety factor to there specs of at least 10%. It could be concluded from the other brand tape with the same spec that did not burn a hole. I supp**** the image requested where the arc leaked trough about 5 layers of tape over 'n period of 2 weeks.
JW
Jacques W's update05 Mar 2019, 14:03
Reviewer Update
Please take note I have supp**** the specifications of the power supply, that is 35kV and not 40kV. Any reputable engineer ad a safety factor to there specs of at least 10%. It could be concluded from the other brand tape with the same spec that did not burn a hole. I supp**** the image requested where the arc leaked trough about 5 layers of tape over 'n period of 2 weeks.
ACDC Dynamics's replyOfficial
05 Mar 2019, 14:52Hi Jacques,
Even a 35KW power supply (with a 10% safety factor) would be too high for the rating of the tape at a thickness of 0.76mm. Unfortunately we cannot verify the specifications of the other tape that you have used in your video.
In addition to the one image of the affected area that you have supp****, if you could please send as much of the information about your installation (with as many extra pictures as you can provide), through to *** , we will continue with our investigation.
Even a 35KW power supply (with a 10% safety factor) would be too high for the rating of the tape at a thickness of 0.76mm. Unfortunately we cannot verify the specifications of the other tape that you have used in your video.
In addition to the one image of the affected area that you have supp****, if you could please send as much of the information about your installation (with as many extra pictures as you can provide), through to *** , we will continue with our investigation.
ACDC Dynamics's reply05 Mar 2019, 14:52
Official
Hi Jacques,
Even a 35KW power supply (with a 10% safety factor) would be too high for the rating of the tape at a thickness of 0.76mm. Unfortunately we cannot verify the specifications of the other tape that you have used in your video.
In addition to the one image of the affected area that you have supp****, if you could please send as much of the information about your installation (with as many extra pictures as you can provide), through to *** , we will continue with our investigation.
Even a 35KW power supply (with a 10% safety factor) would be too high for the rating of the tape at a thickness of 0.76mm. Unfortunately we cannot verify the specifications of the other tape that you have used in your video.
In addition to the one image of the affected area that you have supp****, if you could please send as much of the information about your installation (with as many extra pictures as you can provide), through to *** , we will continue with our investigation.
JW
Jacques W's updateReviewer Update
05 Mar 2019, 15:17You are more than welcome to come and do the tests on my high voltage transformer, with the ACDC tape that is left on my roll and any other brand with the same specs. A 15% safety factor equates to 35kV. This is the real comparison of the ACDC brand tape and a similar different brand. Keep also in mind that the roll I purchased could be from a faulty batch??
Unfortunately that was the only image taken. If you could tell me what more information you need, I could try to provide it. The High Voltage transformer were exactly the same as I used in the Video. There were at least 5 layers of tape tightly wrapped where the arc leaked trough the tape. You could see the damage on the supp**** image and the conclusion of the tube supplier.
JW
Jacques W's update05 Mar 2019, 15:17
Reviewer Update
You are more than welcome to come and do the tests on my high voltage transformer, with the ACDC tape that is left on my roll and any other brand with the same specs. A 15% safety factor equates to 35kV. This is the real comparison of the ACDC brand tape and a similar different brand. Keep also in mind that the roll I purchased could be from a faulty batch??
Unfortunately that was the only image taken. If you could tell me what more information you need, I could try to provide it. The High Voltage transformer were exactly the same as I used in the Video. There were at least 5 layers of tape tightly wrapped where the arc leaked trough the tape. You could see the damage on the supp**** image and the conclusion of the tube supplier.
ACDC Dynamics's replyOfficial
07 Mar 2019, 13:42Hi Jacques,
We have concluded the investigation.
We are satisfied with the certification provided by our supplier, as well as the testing methodology that was used in order to qualify for this certification, the insulation tape is produced to the standard required.
We have already pointed out the problem with the test video that you have made, and despite the debate on percentage of safety factor that should be built into specifications, believe that this point stands.
The one picture that you have provided us does not clearly show where the electrical tape has failed, we can only see the hole in the tube that you have highlighted, but no apparent damage to the tape.
Unfortunately we cannot claim to be experts on this type of installation, but the research that our technical team has done, does point to the fact that using any high voltage insulation tape is possibly not adequate, as you can see in the following video normally insulation is provided through a rubber sock, a rubber end, or a choc block (at 1:25 in the video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9BbfTltxps&feature=youtu.be
In conclusion we do not believe that the issue you have raised can be attributed to the failure of our high voltage insulation tape to perform at it's rated specifications.
We have concluded the investigation.
We are satisfied with the certification provided by our supplier, as well as the testing methodology that was used in order to qualify for this certification, the insulation tape is produced to the standard required.
We have already pointed out the problem with the test video that you have made, and despite the debate on percentage of safety factor that should be built into specifications, believe that this point stands.
The one picture that you have provided us does not clearly show where the electrical tape has failed, we can only see the hole in the tube that you have highlighted, but no apparent damage to the tape.
Unfortunately we cannot claim to be experts on this type of installation, but the research that our technical team has done, does point to the fact that using any high voltage insulation tape is possibly not adequate, as you can see in the following video normally insulation is provided through a rubber sock, a rubber end, or a choc block (at 1:25 in the video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9BbfTltxps&feature=youtu.be
In conclusion we do not believe that the issue you have raised can be attributed to the failure of our high voltage insulation tape to perform at it's rated specifications.
ACDC Dynamics's reply07 Mar 2019, 13:42
Official
Hi Jacques,
We have concluded the investigation.
We are satisfied with the certification provided by our supplier, as well as the testing methodology that was used in order to qualify for this certification, the insulation tape is produced to the standard required.
We have already pointed out the problem with the test video that you have made, and despite the debate on percentage of safety factor that should be built into specifications, believe that this point stands.
The one picture that you have provided us does not clearly show where the electrical tape has failed, we can only see the hole in the tube that you have highlighted, but no apparent damage to the tape.
Unfortunately we cannot claim to be experts on this type of installation, but the research that our technical team has done, does point to the fact that using any high voltage insulation tape is possibly not adequate, as you can see in the following video normally insulation is provided through a rubber sock, a rubber end, or a choc block (at 1:25 in the video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9BbfTltxps&feature=youtu.be
In conclusion we do not believe that the issue you have raised can be attributed to the failure of our high voltage insulation tape to perform at it's rated specifications.
We have concluded the investigation.
We are satisfied with the certification provided by our supplier, as well as the testing methodology that was used in order to qualify for this certification, the insulation tape is produced to the standard required.
We have already pointed out the problem with the test video that you have made, and despite the debate on percentage of safety factor that should be built into specifications, believe that this point stands.
The one picture that you have provided us does not clearly show where the electrical tape has failed, we can only see the hole in the tube that you have highlighted, but no apparent damage to the tape.
Unfortunately we cannot claim to be experts on this type of installation, but the research that our technical team has done, does point to the fact that using any high voltage insulation tape is possibly not adequate, as you can see in the following video normally insulation is provided through a rubber sock, a rubber end, or a choc block (at 1:25 in the video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9BbfTltxps&feature=youtu.be
In conclusion we do not believe that the issue you have raised can be attributed to the failure of our high voltage insulation tape to perform at it's rated specifications.