Mark,
With regard to your No.1, 2, and 3: Check Annex ZB and ZC of your
EN60950:1993.
I am sure it is not ILLEGAL to ship a different power cord to another
country. I have not checked all power cords, but most plugs will not
fit another country's socket. Note that Europe has separate standards
for the cord and the plug. Thus, you could ship just the appropriate
attached cord with leads unterminated. However, several country
deviations would require you to provide instructions in their language
on how to attach the proper plug. It's easier to provide the appropriate
cordset to start with.
We have no problem with your No.4 since we provide the appropriate
cordsets. However, if your U.S. manufacturer cannot or does not
want to stock them in the U.S., then your European entity who "places
the equipment in the marketplace" (agent, distributor, etc.) is
responsible for providing the proper cordset or the proper instructions
on how to connect this equipment in the particular country.
Hope this helps.
Tania Grant, Octel Communications Corporation
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: European Power Cords
Author: "Montrose; Mark" <[email protected]> at P_Internet_mail
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: 5/20/96 10:17 AM
This question relates to the use and application of power cords provided
into the EU when shipped from the USA.
A company builds one version of a highly configurable product. The user
chooses any combination of optional pwbs (over 20 different options) plugged
anywhere into a large backplane along with a choice of several different
power supply assemblies (universal auto-voltage detect, redundant,
non-redundant, etc.). The product is handled by European distributors who
order a large number of units for their warehouses for reshipment to any
country within Europe, including non-European countries. The manufacturer,
located in the USA, has no idea what country the unit will be sold to or how
it is finally configured since this is up to the European distributor to
configure and sell the unit.
The USA manufacturer provides a North American power cord set as a default
item to all shipping assemblies, since most units sold are to North America.
The company, at no charge, will provide to the distributor a power cord
appropriate to the end country's application. This power cord is purchased
from a European power cord manufacturer, located in the UK, and dropped
shipped to the distributor, also located in the UK (one of several European
distributors throughout the continent).
The following issues have now been raised by a sales manager in the UK which
we are unable to answer.
1. Is it legal to ship North American, 120VAC power cords into the UK,
knowing that these cords will be thrown away upon receipt? Please provide
the statutory Instrument in UK law that says 120 VAC rated cords are illegal
for importation, even if they will never be used.
2. Please provide the UK statutory Instrument (and any other European
Country National Law) that mandates products received from North America
must contain a power cord appropriate to their national electric
requirements, plug specific.
3. In examining the LVD and EN 60950, no mention is made regarding the
legal requirement to ship a particular power cord into Europe. The LVD para
3.2.4 mandates electrical requirements and type of cordage required.
4. If the USA manufacturer cannot stock variations of European power
cords, then how does your company handle this issue of multiple power
cordsets for use worldwide.
5. Are their any other statutory Instruments or requirements related to
power cord usage within the EU not addressed above.
Thank you.
Mark Montrose
[email protected]
