I have seen three adapter situations which are somewhat reasonable. The first is for a product with an IEC 320 C8 inlet. The coiled power cord was IEC 320 C7 to C8, with molded adapters from C7 to North American, Europlug and Australian pins. Cord and adapters were a UL listed kit, don't remember manufacturer. This was my favorite offering. Just the thing for a traveling laptop. I felt this was a good solution suitable for everyday use.
The second is for a product with an IEC 320 C14 inlet. The power cord was IEC 320 C13 to C14, with molded right angle adapters for North Amercan, Shuko, Australian, and British configurations. The cord was UL/CSA listed, the North American adapter was CSA certified from Electricord. All connectors were good quality, just as good as the normal product connectors, and other than having three connections to loosen rather than two as with the normal cord set, I could see no major issue. The third, a wall mount switching power supply with an IEC 320 C14 inlet and a right angle adapter C13 to US, Shuko, Australian and British configurations. The supply was UL listed from Phihong, I believe, and the North American Adapter was CSA certified from Wellshin. This was a less than ideal but not bad situation. The complications come when the receptacle is oriented other than to have the supply hanging under the adapter. There would probably be some tendency for wiggling of the dc cord to cause the supply to drop off the adapter. However, it eliminates the power cord (only low voltage dc supply cord). I guess that some places prohibit adapters, but I can't name which ones. These solutions are more expensive than simple cord sets, but may be cheaper when considering stocking, ordering and distribution problems. The C7/C8 solution might be considered a desirable product feature. I was aware of the dearth of approval marks on the European and Australian adapters. They may be unattainable but would be necessary for implementation by most manufacturers. I have never used any of these on my products, but might consider it if someone solves the approval issues. Bob CRAIG HENSLEY wrote: > My company manufacturers external high capacity disk drive systems > (computer peripherals) which are shipped worldwide. > > North American shipments include an ac-dc direct plug-in power supply. > International shipments include an ac-dc "desk-top" power supply along > with the appropriate detachable cord set. All the power supplies we use > are UL-Listed, TUV, CSA, and SAA certified. Cordsets carry all the > appropriate certifications/approvals. > > There have been some grumblings internally because of the many > international system "configurations" that must be maintained due to the > number of different cord-sets. Depending on where a particular drive is > being sent dictates the type of cord set that is included. This introduces > additional control, inventory, and warehousing problems. > > One suggestion that has been made is to ship one style of cord (or > power supply) with several different plug adapters. Then we wouldn't > have to worry so much about what power cord goes with what drive. > For example, in South America the direct plug-in power supply could be > provided along with the Euro and Australian style plug adapters. > In Europe, the "desk-top" power supply and Euro-style cord-set could be > provided along with a UK style plug adapter. > > I am not comfortable with this at all and am hoping that some of you out > there have had some experience with these types of plug adapters. My > questions/concerns are: > > * How can the connection to the AC mains be ensured when using a > plug adapter? > * One company claims they have a UL recognized plug adapter. > However, I can't find anything more with regards to safety certifications. > I don't think TUV will even certify this type of adapter. What about the > other agencies? > * Does anyone have any additional recommendations to help > accommodate the various worldwide plug styles? I got to believe others > have gone through this same "dilemma". > * How "acceptable" is it to provide a product without a cord and just > have the user procure the cord set applicable for their particular > country? > * Is anyone aware of other manufacturers that include plug adapters > with their products? > * Which is worse? Providing the direct plug-in power supply with plug > adapters, or providing the "desk-top" power supply and detachable cord > set with plug adapters. > > Any and all information is appreciated as I am once again in the > unenviable position of potentially squashing another brilliant marketing > idea. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but as soon as > someone starts changing the product interfaces with the AC-mains I get > a little nervous. > > Thanks, > > Craig Hensley > Iomega Corp. > Roy, UT. > > --------- > This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. > To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org > with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the > quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, > j...@gwmail.monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or > roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators). --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, j...@gwmail.monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators).
