Brent,
I checked the Panel Components Corporations "Export Designer's Reference &
Catalog #9" and found the following information on Laos. For additional
information they can be contacted at 1-800-662-2290 or email at
[email protected]. Their information indicates that there are three
possible plugs for Laos and the distribution system may be ungrounded.
It indicates that the most frequently specified plug pattern in Laos is the
standard North American Nema 5-15 plug. It also indicates that the North
American ungrounded plug and the Europlug CEE 7/16 are also used.
The Europlug is a 2-wire Class II, ungrounded plug. It is rated for up to
2.5A.
The information in the catalog on the Grounded North American plug has the
following caveats. Most electrical systems in developing countries are
usually ungrounded. It is therefore common for equipment users to simply cut
off the ground pin so that the plug can be mated with a 2-blade, ungrounded
socket. This of course eliminates the safety ground connection.
Then in a section titled "Power Connections in Developing Countries" is the
following information:
Information on electrical systems used in developing countries is
imprecise at best. Formal electrical standards, where they exist at all,
frequently do not cover plugs and sockets or are ignored in the marketplace.
Furthermore, with regard to voltages and frequencies, power generating and
distribution systems have been installed at various times by different
contractors. These systems occasionally produce power at different
frequencies and provide for final distribution at different voltages.
Therefore, some cities-even individual buildings in those cities-may be
supplied by two or more generating plants and power distribution systems,
each with a different single-phase voltage and frequency.
Most third world electrical distribution systems are ungrounded,
hence three-contact, grounded plugs, while mateable with the sockets, are
not necessarily providing the expected equipment ground. Alternative methods
of equipment grounding is advisable in these cases. (Panel Components
Corporation offers a Class I to Class II adapter-see page 97).
Then on page 97 the information on the Grounding Adapter says the following:
When exporting your product to Japan or other parts of the world (such as
Central America) where a 2-wire, unpolarized mains power is typical, it is
advisable to include a grounding adapter to ensure that your product will be
properly grounded. The grounding adapter shown below is a 3-wire to 2-wire
adapter with unpolarized blades. It carries Japanese approvals.
Hope this helps,
Kurt Andrews
Compliance Engineer
Tracewell Systems, Inc.
567 Enterprise Dr.
Westerville, OH 43081
Ph. 614-846-6175
Fax 614-846-7791
Email: [email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 11:44 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Laotian power cords?
It appears Laos uses U.S. style power cords. Can anyone confirm
this?
Thanks,
Brent DeWitt
Datex-Ohmeda
Louisville, CO
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