Uk and European Power
bl
market.
We have had numerous requests to have the same products run on UK and
European power mains.
Our question is what are the power mains in these countries, what do the
recepticles look like and how are they wired.
Those are the easy questions. The hard one is how do you go about selling
to these countries ?
Eric W
They have a catalog full of information on plug types, voltages, and
requirments. They also sell the plugs and power cords to attach to these
voltages, so they are not giving this information out for nothing. Phone
number is (800) 662-2290. Every time we go to a new country I check out
this catalog to get an idea of what we are getting into.
bl <bjla...@mich.com> wrote in article
<01bdc3d8$23fa4b40$ccb24acf@bjlavoie>...
John Woodgate
writes
>We have a company that manufactures small electrical devices for the USA
>market.
>We have had numerous requests to have the same products run on UK and
>European power mains.
> Our question is what are the power mains in these countries,
230 V 50 Hz. To be OK in all countries, you need to allow +/-10% limits
on the 230 V, i.e. the product must be safe (but possibly need not work)
at 207 V and 253 V. (NOTE: 230 V, not 220 V or 240 V.)
> what do the
>recepticles look like and how are they wired.
There are three main types, but there are several others. One is called
'CEE7 standard sheet 7' and has two round pins, with both side-contacts
and a socket for earthing: it is rated at 10/16 A. Then there is one
(CEE7 standard sheet XVI, lowest diagram) with two round pins, partially
insulated, for Class 2 (double-insulated) equipment, rated at 6 A or
below. Both of those are used on the Continent. The standard 'CEE 7' is
obsolete, but copies may still be obtainable. But any good mains lead
supplier should be able to explain the intricacies of European pluggery.
UK is different. There, there is only one plug, with three rectangular
pins and incorporating a fuse. See British Standard BS1363.
Not possible to explain about wiring in detail in a news post! Diagrams
would be needed. Plugs should be moulded-on (with exceptions permitted
in some countries). Cable conductor colours: Brown - live, Blue -
neutral, Green and Yellow (50% green) - Earth.
> Those are the easy questions. The hard one is how do you go about
>selling
>to these countries ?
>
You need to conform to the requirements of the Low Voltage and EMC
Dirctives. Apart from that, it is just a matter of being 50% cheaper and
100% better, like any other sales venture (;-).
--
Regards, John Woodgate, Phone +44 (0)1268 747839 Fax +44 (0)1268 777124.
OOO - Own Opinions Only. You can fool all of the people some of the time, but
you can't please some of the people any of the time.