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Subject: Re: low-tech ways to avoid polarity problems
From: Brian Wolven (brian.wolven_at_verizon.net)
Date: 2004-03-18

Fred Maxwell wrote:

> Chris Weaver wrote:
>
>>It is a real shame that all coaxial power plugs couldn't be standard on
>>polarity. The V2 doesn't even show voltage or polarity on
>>the unit.
>>IMHO the coaxial connectors should all be for low voltage DC, ground
>>center, and even better would have been color coding for
>>voltage!
>>Who is to blame for this wall-wart mess?
>
> This is what happens when you allow the "free market" to run wild rather
> than having a government body set standards. We now have coaxial power
> plugs that are 2.35mm x 0.7mm (OD x ID), 3mm x 1.1mm, 3.4mm x 1.3mm, 3.8mm x
> 1.1mm, 4.0mm x 1.7mm, 4.2mm x 0.7mm, 4.75 x 1.7mm, 5mm x 1.5mm, 5mm x 2.1mm,
> 5mm x 2.5mm, 5.5mm x 2.1mm, 5.5mm x 2.5mm, 5.5mm x 2.8mm, 5.5mm x 3.3mm,
> 6.3mm x 3mm, and probably more. Each of these plugs can be AC or DC at any
> voltage. If they are DC, the polarity can be either way, with negative on
> the center pin or positive on the center pin.
>
> Many right-wingers are violently opposed to the government regulating
> anything, but imagine what it would be like if there were no government
> standards for the AC power and the electrical connectors in your home.

Hmmm, very true. But then again, I'd hate to see us all driving
Hummvee's, too. The dividing line between promoting compatibility and
stifling innovation is not perhaps as clear as we'd like it to be! In
the meantime, we'll just have to consider this a form of Darwinian
evolution for electronics (and their owners). =)

- Brian (more of a mid-fielder than a right-winger)

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