Power Cable Warning Labels and Confusion

[agedhorse]

I have received several questions regarding the caution labels attached to power cords, including the red ones attached to our power cords. Let me explain why this may be happening, not just with ours but likely with other manufacturers as well.

With the changes of the international safety standards and regulations from IEC/CE/EN-60065 to IEC/CE/EN-62368 due to take effect in December of this year, you may start to see some changes in owner's manuals, screen printed information on the amps themselves and on power cables. This is because things are becoming a bit more complicated and in order to meet the requirements of some EU member states the requirements for warnings are being interpreted more strictly (or literally).

For companies that ship large amounts of products internationally and domestically, in order to be sure that something unique to a region is not accidentally left off (which could cause the entire shipment to be rejected), you may begin to see these labels and tags show up on all products manufactured, even if they don't strictly apply to a particular piece.

This is the case for the red warning label that some of you have received on the power cords for the Subways series amps recently. On one side, they reference using the standby switch which the Subway amps obviously do not have. This label is universal, and this statement addresses the tube guitar amp products which do have the standby switch. They receive this power cord because ALL Subway amps are now dual certified, listed to both the new 62368 safety standard as well as the legacy 60065 standard (for countries that have not yet adopted the new standard and may not for mre than a year).

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[Killed_by_Death]

One cord for many BOMs (bill of materials), makes sense!

 

[Killing Floor]

I know you're not supposed to stick your tongue into an electric outlet. But really, if it's only 1 slot it should be just fine. But I still think there should be a sticker.

 

[DigitalMan]

Imagine writing the warning labels for the power cord to an electric pressure washer...

 

[agedhorse]

Imagine writing the warning labels for the power cord to an electric pressure washer...

The new American safety novel, 200 pages of common sense

 

[Doufuss]

The new American safety novel, 200 pages of common sense

And this manual would be a good thing. Would have saved me a few stitches.

What might be a lot more fun is the "Manual of what NOT to do"

For example, - When someone suggests to you -

"Hold this dynamite", Or,

"Get in this shopping cart", Or,

 

[dbase]

 

[ahc]

How long before the labeling requirements exceed the real estate of the product?

 

[jnewmark]

Couldn't the Mute button be used like a Standby switch ? Mine is always engaged before I turn on the amp.

 

[P_Robyn]

I have received several questions regarding the caution labels attached to power cords, including the red ones attached to our power cords. Let me explain why this may be happening, not just with ours but likely with other manufacturers as well.

With the changes of the international safety standards and regulations from IEC/CE/EN-60065 to IEC/CE/EN-62368 due to take effect in December of this year, you may start to see some changes in owner's manuals, screen printed information on the amps themselves and on power cables. This is because things are becoming a bit more complicated and in order to meet the requirements of some EU member states the requirements for warnings are being interpreted more strictly (or literally).

For companies that ship large amounts of products internationally and domestically, in order to be sure that something unique to a region is not accidentally left off (which could cause the entire shipment to be rejected), you may begin to see these labels and tags show up on all products manufactured, even if they don't strictly apply to a particular piece.

This is the case for the red warning label that some of you have received on the power cords for the Subways series amps recently. On one side, they reference using the standby switch which the Subway amps obviously do not have. This label is universal, and this statement addresses the tube guitar amp products which do have the standby switch. They receive this power cord because ALL Subway amps are now dual certified, listed to both the new 62368 safety standard as well as the legacy 60065 standard (for countries that have not yet adopted the new standard and may not for mre than a year).

Sorry for the confusion.

So now I'm confused. My Mesa D800 is in the other room, but I'm pretty sure it has a standby switch. I'm obviously missing something here.

 

[nnnnnn]

So now I'm confused. My Mesa D800 is in the other room, but I'm pretty sure it has a standby switch. I'm obviously missing something here.

Well mine doesn't, but I can't speak for yours. It does have a Mute switch.

 

[JRA]

My Mesa D800 is in the other room, but I'm pretty sure it has a standby switch.

maybe you can get back to us on that...what's in the room where you're standing now?



per the OP: sounds like a case of too much of 'not enough' information...or vice versa. safety first!

 

[JMarkD]

The new American safety novel, 200 pages of common sense

You spend a great deal of time on this forum dispensing wisdom (or trying to) to folks who, after asking a question, refuse to accept your reply and argue with you to the point of absurdity. The new "American safety novel" gets a lot of derisive comments by the many know-it-alls here, and we all know it's the lawyers that really call the shots. But if one hangs out on Talk Bass long enough one can begin to understand both the need for common sense warning labels and those HUGE Mesa User Manuals!

 

[chris_b]

I'm for anything that improves safety. As long as the guys designing their stuff do so in a way that ensures I can't kill myself because I didn't read the instructions, then I'm happy. I have a mild but weird kind of dyslexia that affects my ability to read and understand official documents, technical instructions etc. I look at legalese and just go word blind!

 

[40Hz]

It’ll only be a matter of time before California (never wanting to be left out of any legislation) requires its own additional warning verbiage since it’s known to the State of California that electrical appliances can cause death or injury.

Might as well slap a “Gluten Free” and “non-GMO” sticker on it while you’re at it.

 

[2tonic]

One tag to rule them all!!

 

[pglaser01]

I have received several questions regarding the caution labels attached to power cords, including the red ones attached to our power cords. Let me explain why this may be happening, not just with ours but likely with other manufacturers as well.

With the changes of the international safety standards and regulations from IEC/CE/EN-60065 to IEC/CE/EN-62368 due to take effect in December of this year, you may start to see some changes in owner's manuals, screen printed information on the amps themselves and on power cables. This is because things are becoming a bit more complicated and in order to meet the requirements of some EU member states the requirements for warnings are being interpreted more strictly (or literally).

For companies that ship large amounts of products internationally and domestically, in order to be sure that something unique to a region is not accidentally left off (which could cause the entire shipment to be rejected), you may begin to see these labels and tags show up on all products manufactured, even if they don't strictly apply to a particular piece.

This is the case for the red warning label that some of you have received on the power cords for the Subways series amps recently. On one side, they reference using the standby switch which the Subway amps obviously do not have. This label is universal, and this statement addresses the tube guitar amp products which do have the standby switch. They receive this power cord because ALL Subway amps are now dual certified, listed to both the new 62368 safety standard as well as the legacy 60065 standard (for countries that have not yet adopted the new standard and may not for mre than a year).

Sorry for the confusion.

Can I assume Mesa receives the power cords from a 3rd party vendor?

If so, are they labeling the cords or is this done within Mesa?

 

[agedhorse]

Couldn't the Mute button be used like a Standby switch ? Mine is always engaged before I turn on the amp.

Not the same thing, tube power amps use a standby switch to remove the plate supply from the output stage.

So now I'm confused. My Mesa D800 is in the other room, but I'm pretty sure it has a standby switch. I'm obviously missing something here.

I sure hope it doesn't have a standby switch...

Can I assume Mesa receives the power cords from a 3rd party vendor?

If so, are they labeling the cords or is this done within Mesa?

We install the labels. Currently, all cables receive this tag.

 

[JimChjones]

... of common sense

And the biggest problem with common sense, other than its rarity, is that those lacking it don't know they do...