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From: pda@Dixie.Com (Paul D. Anderson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Why do they insist on power cubes???
Message-ID: <7431@rsiatl.Dixie.Com>
Date: 28 Feb 91 22:24:29 GMT
References: <191@raysnec.UUCP> <14@mich-ns.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Dixie Communications Services
Lines: 75

>In article <191@raysnec.UUCP> shwake@raysnec.UUCP (Ray Shwake) writes:
] 	What began as an annoyance has become a logistic mess. Some years
] ago, manufacturers of external modems like Hayes moved their power supplies
] to external power cubes which fit directly into the power line. A small
] power lead then fed the small, stylish modem. While some (like Prometheus)
] kept to the internal power supply, most others followed the move to power
] cubes.
]  [...]
] 	Given advances in micro-miniaturization - hey, they can fit
] transformer, electronics, and battery in your rechargeable razor - why do
] modem users have to suffer so? Perhaps engineering should spend less time
] on creating yet another protocol and a little more time on product design!

It is actually more likely due to getting UL approval: a long,
complicated, expensive, political process. 

You see, if I am a manufacturer of computer peripherals, and I
run AC into a unit, then I really need to get UL approval on
that unit.  If I buy a brick that is already UL approved, then
it is one less nightmare that I have to go thru before getting
to market.  And it costs me a hell of a lot less. 

Frankly, it probably has more to do with going to court than anything.   

Imagine the following scenario, where a modem caused a building fire:

	The prosecution attorney: "Mr. Manufacturer, you're 
	product was not UL approved.  Why is that?"

	"We needed to save costs."

	"Oh, and as such you skimped on engineering, causing
	a building fire..."

Versus using a wall cube:

	The defense attorney: "Mr. Manufacturer, your modem
	power supply caused a building fire.  Why is that?"

	"The power supply, supplied by another vendor did.  
	But it was a well designed power supply."

	"Why do you say that?"

	"It was an Underwriters Labratory approved device.  They have
	*National* standards established to guarantee the safety of 
	people and property.  The manufacturer spent many thousands of
	dollars to guarantee that that device was safe, rigourously tested
	the device and submitted it for additional testing and approval.
	UL has done this for years and is recognized as *the* authority
	on such matters."

	"So..."
	
	"So if this device failed, it is probably due to misuse by the
	client.  OR a manufacturing defect.  But we sought out the best
	engineering possible, backed by a National Laboratory 
	Certification, to guarantee our clients safety.  We went the 
	full ten yards to make sure he was safe..."


In other words, buying and reselling power cubes is a form of
insurance. And a darn good one.  Unfortunately, it results in
messes of cables, inefficient use of power, etc.  But, in
today's litigious society, for a business to stay in business,
it means knowing *exactly* where  you will get intro trouble
with the courts.  And for a startup or  small to medium size
business, one good lawsuit, while it may or may not be
financially crippling, will encumber the principle players
enough that the business may flounder. 

-paul

-- 
* Paul Anderson * Dixie Communications * (404) 578-9547 * pda@dixie.com *