David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (05/03/91)
Index Number: 15301
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
GD> I received a demonstration radio from S N C International, a
GD> maker of radios which receive the S C A signal used by Radio
GD> Reading Services. I called them with some comments from people
GD> to whom I'd shown the radio including the question "Why is the
GD> power supply separate from the radio itself. In other words
GD> why isn't it inside the radio's chasi?" The sales
GD> representative went away to ask her supervisor and came back to
GD> me and said "Because the blind are more apt to drop a radio in
GD> the water we decided to use an external power supply as there
GD> would be less electrical shock to the user. If the power
GD> supply were inside the radio they would get a lethal shock.
GD> With only the voltage generated by the power supply they would
GD> get a slight buz." I couldn't believe it. I never knew that
GD> there were statistics that showed blind people more apt to drop
GD> radios into the water have you? Needless to say I'm taking my
GD> order of 150 radios elsewhere. Grant
That idea is of course rediculous. What is sadder is that everyone there
believed it. In fact, I understand there is another reason that many companies
use external power supplies. They can buy an external supply that already has
Underwriters' Laboratories certification. If they use an internal supply, or
design one, they must get the whole thing certified at a cost of $15,000 or
more, which can be burdensome for a small company.
... David Andrews
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