Harold Hallikainen wrote:
>> You are unable to purchase already-tested wall warts?
>>
>> UL will be happy if the UL number is valid.
>> But be careful, many aren't.
>>
>> Jameco sells tested UL-certified wall-warts.
>>
>> --Bob
>>     
>
>
> The problem is that our customers don't like wall warts, so I'd like to
> stick it in the box and have a standard AC inlet. From another comment on
> the thread, it appears UL would still charge us thousands of dollars to
> look at the power supply because AC is entering our box...
>
> Harold
>
>   
Yep, that's right. UL-met wall warts solve a lot of costs, but they 
aren't "slick".

Look at it like this... UL simply wants to see if the product will cause 
a fire.  If
you use a wall wart , all the fire-susceptible stuff is in an 
already-tested box, and
you are golden (as long as your product is within the rating of the 
wall-wart). UL
doesn't care if it even WORKS, they ONLY care if it causes or sustains a 
fire.

It is your job to design a safe product FIRST. That's what an engineer
does, in the eyes of the public, and the legal system.

Imagine being at a jury trial between your client and a user whose home 
burned down.
What will you say when the user's lawyer asks you whether your product 
was approved
as fire-safe by UL? If UL passed your product, you can rest easy- it's a 
cakewalk.
Without the UL mark, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to win a jury trial, 
because juries
cannot make complex technical judgments.

I've been hammered by clients, too, but you must convince them to make 
safe decisions
FIRST. They will later be glad you stood your ground.

--Bob Axtell

 



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