In message
<64D32EE8B9CBDD44963ACB076A5F6ABB01C6BDAA@Mailbox-Tech.lecotech.local>,
dated Wed, 15 Feb 2012, "Kunde, Brian" <[email protected]> writes:
When you purchase an electric dryer or range in Europe, do they come
with a flexible power cord?
A dryer, normally yes, a range is permanently wired-in.
Does it also come with a plug, if so what plug? For instance, in North
America for a 30 amp device there are 11 different NEMA plugs you can
use depending on the type of power you have and plug style you want to
use. So most high current devices are not shipped with a plug because
it will mostly likely be the wrong plug.
There are only about four different wall-sockets in Europe, and plugs
that will fit more than one type exist.
If you ship a product without a power cord is it assumed that it is
"PERMANENTLY CONNECTED EQUIPMENT" which would make it ok to sell and
ship? Even on permanently connected equipment, a flexible power cord
can be used, right? What makes it Permanently Connected is whether it
is wired into a box or uses a plug/receptacle. So to ship without a
power cord should be ok.
Yes, if it's a product that is designated for permanent connection,
installed by an electrician.
Now, if the customer decides to install a flexible cord and a plug
instead of permanently wiring the equipment, is this his right and is
it OK to do so as long as it meets local electric codes?
If the customer is a qualified electrician.
What would be wrong with a manufacturer intending their product to be
permanently connected but then provide information to acquire a strain
relief and flexible cord if the customer so choose because flexible
cords can be used on Permanently Connected Equipment?
If it's designated 'to be permanently connected by a qualified
electrician' it's OK. I think it is risky to try to adapt this to a
plug-in product; that has never, as far as I know, been officially
blessed.
What problems can these scenarios cause?
There is a history; to avoid shipping consumer electronic products with
different attached mains leads and plugs to different European
countries, they were either fitted with a lead with bare ends (legal in
UK and maybe Denmark at that time but not elsewhere in Europe), or
provided an appliance connector and required the importer to supply the
mains lead, which was held to be illegal because the importer wasn't
qualified under product safety legislation.
The safety scenario has changed since those days of mandatory
third-party certification (like UL), but there is still a focus on the
dangers of incorrect connection by unqualified people.
--
OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk
John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK
If 'QWERTY' is an English keyboard, what language is 'WYSIWYG' for?
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