Re: Ethics grad work Therac-25

2008-05-08 Thread ooverton
Curt, You might wish to check out Nancy Levison's book, Safeware: System Safety and Computers She is one of the primer authorities on software safety in the country, if not the world. She addresses the Therac 25 incident in her book, not necessarily from an ethical point of view but after checki

Fw: resend environmental quotation.

2008-05-06 Thread ooverton
Ken Javor wrote: "It is not coincidence that the excuse for imposing these controls during nominal peace time is a crisis advertised to once again doom civilization - global warming. The would-be Overlords, who are in reality Untermensch, fully recognize that a crisis of global proportions is nec

New Technology

2008-05-02 Thread ooverton
>A more basic question. Would Edison? slight bulb have ever illuminated >the night if an environmental impact statement had predicted the >electrical power infrastructure necessary to support it, and the >resultant ?man-made global warming?? When measured against the emissions of the candles, oil

In Search of Power Cord Test Equipment

2002-12-26 Thread ooverton
One of our vendors is looking for test equipment for the IEC-320-1, Clauses 16.2 and 16.3, "Withdraw Force Tests". It is illustrated in Figure 12 of the same standard. We have such a tester but it is decades old and before my time. Does anyone know where such a device can be purchased? Oscar Over

Re: Laser Warnings

2002-08-15 Thread ooverton
Richard, Another good one is "http://www.freetranslation.com/";. I usually translate the same text using both and compare the differences. There usually are some. I find this one easier to use when translating from another language into English if you are having to type text directly as it has

Are There Any Standards that Apply to Digital Cameras

2002-08-08 Thread ooverton
Everyone, Does anyone know of any product safety standards that apply to digital cameras? The simple, personal, "AA" battery powered type of digital cameras. Thank you. Oscar Overton Ph: 859-232-2284 --- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Pr

RE: Nema 5-15R sockets

2002-07-19 Thread ooverton
Jim, This also can be affected by the cordage that comes with an appliance. We have a refrigerator with the ground pin at the bottom. It has to be plugged in that way because the plug is designed to lay flat against the wall. To put the plug in the other way would cause the cord to come out u

Re: Required: Ability to WHAT?

2002-07-09 Thread ooverton
Sounds like the pointy haired must have written it ! ! Cortland Richmond <72146.373%compuserve@interlock.lexmark.com> on 07/09/2002 01:06:52 PM Please respond to Cortland Richmond <72146.373%compuserve@interlock.lexmark.com> To: ieee pstc list cc:(bcc: Oscar Overton/

RE: EMC and Safety PCB Reviews

2002-03-08 Thread ooverton
I think that we all need to get a grip on our job title envy. If all one is his/her job title then that person is in a heap of trouble, especially in today's job market. I was a GI for 23 years. Does anyone know what that means? "Government Issue" That didn't change who I was/am. Nor did it

Re: Different shades of UL

2002-02-22 Thread ooverton
Chris, Go to the following site and it explains it very well with examples. http://www.ul.com/mark/index.html The information not covered are the : product type (e.g., "I.T.E.") (there is a lot of variation allowed here), 4 character "Listing Mark Control Number" (LMCN) which is a co

Re: South Korean Power System

2002-02-20 Thread ooverton
To add a bit to Rich's comment. The Argentina and China (PRC) plugs have polarized plugs that are very similar to Australian style (without a caliper it is hard to tell the dimensonal differences). The PRC plugs are the same as the Australian polarization while the Argentina plugs are opposite

International Power Requirements

2002-02-20 Thread ooverton
Check out this website for power requirements, plug styles, and languages. Look under South Korea for Korea. ftp://ftp.lexmark.com/pub/networking/internat.htm --- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discu

Re: radar (Germany)

2002-01-10 Thread ooverton
Imagine that, holding someone accountable for their own actions! What a novel concept. I doubt it would ever be accepted in the US. MOO "J.Feldhaar" on 01/10/2002 08:00:52 AM Please respond to "J.Feldhaar" To: "Price, Ed" , emc-pstc%majordomo.ieee@interlock.lexmark.com cc:

RE: European and North American Cordage

2002-01-08 Thread ooverton
Because of the different mains plugs required in the different countries I have never seen much advantage to "universal" cordage. The one exception to this is a "jumper" cord that has an IEC320, C-13 connector on one end and a C-14 connector on the other. This type of power cord is independent

Re: Sometimes product safety just isn't enough

2001-12-17 Thread ooverton
In the spirit of the season: "John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locust and wild honey." Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6 "There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on

Re: Sometimes product safety just isn't enough

2001-12-17 Thread ooverton
This particular labeling of "Nut" products is not an isolated event. Pick up viturally any container of mixed nuts and it will have a similar warning. Of course don't start reading too many food labels, it can get really scary. FDA's Food Alergen page is: http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/

Re: FW: Quality Assurance and Product Approvals

2001-11-28 Thread ooverton
The Board of Certified Safety Processionals used to have a Certification Specialty in Product Safety. There was so little interest in it that it was dropped. The closest that they have now is a Specialty in System Safety. Just like Dan says below about the requirement for PEs to sign off drawi

Re: Quality Assurance and product approvals

2001-11-21 Thread ooverton
Mike, Tania hits the nail on the head with her comments. Something that I find useful in this situation is a "Process Flowchart". These can be used for more than just chemical production. It more graphically illustrates the processes, interrelationships, and possible sequencing involved, especi

RE: Metrics cost at 1991

2001-11-05 Thread ooverton
I cannot confirm the following statement but I have attached a link identifying the actual event. Here, supposedly, is a quote from a Petrobras executive extolling the benefits of cutting QA and inspection cost on the drilling/production platform project that sunk into the Atlantic Ocean off the

RE: Definition for Safety Critical Component

2001-10-31 Thread ooverton
Gregg brings up a good point. I haven't followed all of this thread and I hope I'm not repeating someone else; but, just in case: Some of the things necessary to comply with the standards have less to do with safety than they do with compliance to the standard. Or in some cases the safety implic

RE: Steel ball for impact tests

2001-09-26 Thread ooverton
Just don't let your ES&H people see you standing on a chair to perform this test. <; ) "Scott Lacey" on 09/25/2001 05:38:44 PM Please respond to "Scott Lacey" To: emc-pstc%majordomo.ieee@interlock.lexmark.com cc:(bcc: Oscar Overton/Lex/Lexmark) Subject: RE: Steel ball for

Re: CFR requirements for the workplace

2001-09-14 Thread ooverton
Patty, Here is a little something that I put together previously to give to some of our folks when they asked the same question. I found it has saved a lot of time in having to present it every time I'm asked the question. (See attached file: Why NRTL Required - Generic.doc) Oscar (The usual

RE: TV nostalgia

2001-08-03 Thread ooverton
I have noticed several responses related to the smell of the old equipment. I had been thinking the very same thing. You could trouble-shoot by the type of smell a failed component produced (cap vs. resistor, vs choke, etc.) Ever notice how connected one's memory and smells are connected? Think

RE: How Safe ???

2001-07-30 Thread ooverton
Two quotes for which I can not give attribution. "That that does not kill me, makes me stronger." "That that does not kill me, only delays the inevitable." "Nerad, Daren HS-SNS" on 07/30/2001 04:13:20 PM To: "'oover...@lexmark.com'" <"Oscar_Overton/Lex/Lexmark.LEXMARK"@sweep

Re: Front-access PDU

2001-07-30 Thread ooverton
Actually there are many meanings for PDU. Here are those listed in a web site of acronyms (http://www.acronymfinder.com/). Acronym Definition PDU Packet Data Unit PDU Parachute Deployment Unit PDU Philippine Digital Upgrade PDU Photographic Development Unit (RAF) PDU Pilot Display Unit P

Re: How Safe ???

2001-07-25 Thread ooverton
I find it interesting the example that was given here as contrasting with another case this site also has. http://www.injurycases.com/news.html This case is quite different and from my perspective exemplifies the problem we have been discussing here. At what point must you take responsibility

How Safe ???

2001-07-25 Thread ooverton
In light of the recent e-traffic on labels, warnings, and litigation I think that this is a good article. A better rant than I could write (and have written). When you need a break ... ___ By Mark Morford morning...@sfgate.com All co

RE: Voltage Range in Asia

2001-06-28 Thread ooverton
Judd, Thanks for the comment. We intend to keep the information at its present site until a more permanent site is available. This new site will be provided by the emc-pstc folks. It is not in operation yet but stay tuned as I'm sure they will announce it when it does happen. Like I said thoug

Re: Voltage Range in Asia

2001-06-22 Thread ooverton
Luis, Try the following site. We are not trying to sell anything, just provide information. ftp://ftp.lexmark.com/pub/networking/internat.htm We would appreciate any feedback on your assessment of the site. Any way to improve it would be appreciated. Oscar "Luiz Claudio" on 06/22/2001

Re: Safety in General ...

2001-06-21 Thread ooverton
Let me interject a bit here. In the introduction the "System Safety Analysis Handbook", published by the System Safety Society (http://www.system-safety.org/), it identifies a hazard control precedence for not only minimizing risk due to the hazard itself, but also to minimize the chances of pe

Re: Useful Typing Shortcuts

2001-06-14 Thread ooverton
This is a great idea. Thx. A similar approach, used a lot in U.S. government documents, is to state the acronym in parentheses immediately after the first use and then just use the acronym throughout the rest of the document as if everyone knows what it means. (i.e., "When setting up the Real

RE: Typing Shortcuts

2001-06-13 Thread ooverton
FWIW - HTH A couple of others I have encountered. Not in alphabetical order but more in context order. AFAIK, probably too many to really be beneficial. NRN OO TLA - three letter acronym IAW - in accordance with IMCO - in my considered opinion IMNSHO - in my not so humble opinion FTHP - faster

Re: Public Health and Safety Signs - Tomfoolery so delete if you

2001-05-21 Thread ooverton
I once read a safety article (tongue-in-cheek I believe) that said that the safety industry was weaking the species by allowing the weak and feable to continue exist and procreate. I believe that this was directed toward the mentally weak and feable (read stoopid). By warning them about things

Re: AC Power Primer?

2001-05-03 Thread ooverton
Re:Rick Busche's question. We all probably agree that a phase to neutral connection is single phase and devices that use all three phases, whether they are 208V 60Hz or 400V 50Hz, are truly three phase. The discussion heats up when you are talking about a phase to phase connection on a three ph

Re: switching NRTLs

2001-03-13 Thread ooverton
Chris, There may be some "hungry" NRTLs or some that have existing cooperative agreements with another NRTL, but would you take complete responsibility and liability to sell a product under your name that another company designed and tested by "taking their word" that everything was OK with th

Re: Product "Risks"

2001-01-24 Thread ooverton
My two cents . . . And many of those related to part failure are still related to human error. There is some evidence that the Firestone problem is related to under inflated tires which is a driver responsibility. This doesn't even address the faulty maintenance that causes accidents that may n

RE: UL60950, Third Edition

2001-01-03 Thread ooverton
You can go to the following site: "http://www.comm-2000.com/"; This is the new UL vendor for standards. UL 60950 is at the bottom of the following page: "http://www.comm-2000.com/ULstandard7.asp?PassCondition=ALL&Pages=16"; Took me about a week to get one in the mail and they also have electro

Re: Seeking assistance from Chemical Experts

2001-01-02 Thread ooverton
>From the UL Test Data Sheets provided to me by my UL engineering office, the material listed in the text of the test data sheet is kerosene. I don't know what the actual physical characteristics are, but if UL uses this for their test I would assume that it is acceptable for me to use. Kerosene is

RE: Risk assessment

2000-12-08 Thread ooverton
This is also the Risk Assessment matrix that all military services and several other government agencies used in program/product development. It is included in Mil-Std-882D, "DOD Standard Practice for System Safety" - released February 2000. "System Safety" is generally the equivalent to "Product

RE: safe voltage limits for cattle ( cows horses etc)

2000-11-14 Thread ooverton
This was quite a moooving exchange. Gert was obviously on the horns of a dilema. Even though there was a lot at steak, I believe that Gert was steered in the right direction. In addition to the voltage, the current would depend on whether your beef was ground(ed) but you can't hide from the real ri

Re: Safety of Add on components

2000-11-02 Thread ooverton
Brian, If the system has low levels of energy that present low levels of risk then you don't have to take matters as seriously. However, if you have high levels of energy then you must take every effort to ensure a safe installation. (Energy sources include mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemic

Re: Power Line Voltages

2000-10-05 Thread ooverton
Randy, I know that you already received a couple of sites but I've noticed that different sites have different data. Most of it is in agreement but some of it is not. Here are several that I use to compare. http://www.panelcomponents.com/guide.htm http://www.quail.com/locator/index.html http://ww

Re: Protection or Control?

2000-09-22 Thread ooverton
Luiz, I am coming from a risk assessment perspective only, not a standards or regulation one. What is the worst case result of every device going bad and leaving the heat on? What is the probability of this occuring? Base your decision on these points. Where is your limit of risk? What if the b

Re: What safety lesson we may learn from Concord crash?

2000-08-01 Thread ooverton
The question was "Do we really have to pay so high price to learn the lesson?" My response is in two parts. The first one is, as I assume you believe since you ask the question in the context you did, no -- not really. The second one is yes, look at history. I was in the US Air Force for 23 year

RE: Mars Lander EMC problem?

2000-03-31 Thread ooverton
IMNSHO I must disagree. It is the political influences that cause most of the poor management within NASA. Granted, you have some senators that are wanting to look good by sticking their fingers into the NASA business but the NASA higher management is doing the same in return in order to get mor

Re: Lifting restrictions

2000-03-30 Thread ooverton
Brian and Group, Attached is a word document that I used at a prior employeer for doing safety design analysis. It was extracted from NIOSH. I don't know if it is still current but I believe it is. Here is the NIOSH web site address: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html (See attached file: RW

SEMI and SHARP EDGES

2000-03-21 Thread ooverton
In the introduction to IEC60950 it says: "It is essential that designers understand the underlying principles of safety requirements in order that they can engineer safe equipment. The following is not an alternative to the detailed requirements of this standard, but is intended to provide desig

RE: Product Safety Certification School

2000-03-06 Thread ooverton
I don't know if they still do, but USC, Univ of Washington, and Univ of Cincinnati used to have some courses in system safety and hazard analysis. I know that this isn't product safety per se but it does address the issues of identifying, understanding, and mitigating hazards in engineered system

RE: Open Letter re ITE Flammability (Source is NAFM)

2000-01-21 Thread ooverton
I don't see this issue as one of whether manufacturers meet the standards. It is more one of whether the standards are "adequate". Now the task becomes one of defining "adequate." We've all see the hatchet jobs that the press or special interest group will do when they get on a mission. I'm not s

RE: Y3K

2000-01-07 Thread ooverton
I saw a CPS to Hz conversion chart in a military (AF) test report back in the 70s. The 'X' axis (CPS) was decimal and the 'Y' axis (Hz) was Log. It provided an interesting conversion curve. It even had a formula to do the conversion long hand. We need more of this type of aids today =; >

Re: Notified Bodies

1999-12-16 Thread ooverton
It is allowed but what about the integrity issue? Do you intend on telling the agency from which you are seeking the opinion of your approach? How would you feel about your customers doing the same thing with your opinion? woods%sensormatic@interlock.lexmark.com on 12/16/99 02:42:26 PM P

RE: Cell Phone Hazards?

1999-12-10 Thread ooverton
I've been reading with interest this discussion and appreciate those of you who have provided sources of research and data regarding this topic. One thing that does bother me is the un-substantiated and un-trackable claims and suppositions made by some. This only gives fuel to the misinformation

Ignition Temperature of Cotton Cheesecloth

1999-12-07 Thread ooverton
Does anyone know, or have a reference that might tell, the ignition temperature of cotton cheesecloth. UL 1950, Annex B, Clause B.7.3 references the use of this. I know that the ignition temperature of paper, according to Ray Bradbury is 451 (superscript: o)F OO - This message is comi

Re: NRTL Acceptance

1999-11-22 Thread ooverton
Try this website for current information on approved NRTLs. "http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/optsc/nrtl/index.html"; OO -- Forwarded by Oscar Overton/Lex/Lexmark on 11/22/99 08:46 AM --- "George_Alspaugh/Lex/Lexmark.LEXMARK"@lexmta01.notes.lexmark.co

Any Standards for an Automobile Cigarette Lighter Connector?

1999-11-16 Thread ooverton
Group, I have a design engineer with a power supply which is to be powered from 13.8 Vdc automobile source. Does anyone know of any IEC or other standards for the power plug that goes into the cigarette lighter / power plug of a vehicle. Many Thanks. Oscar - This message is coming fro