[BC] Re: Providing schematics

[Mike McCarthy]

In two words...product liability.  Anything which is UL listed is voided 
should the box be repaired by anyone by the certifying vendor.  That has 
HUGE liability implications to the general public.  Hence the reason why 
APC won't supply schematics or root software for programming their UPS's.

Also, in the case of non-UL listed equipment, there is also the dynamic of 
modification or ill-advised repairs which further damages or creates 
unexpected operation and could either harm or hinder the functional 
operation of/by the user.  In this case, phone systems are really touchy.

Proprietary design is a distant third when it comes to the two above 
liability issues.

MM

At 09:01 AM 10/5/2007 -0700, k7cr wrote
>I loved reading this thread -
>I suspect there are a number of reasons for folks not wanting to provide 
>schematics, the main one is the fear that someone will simply copy their 
>work and become a competitor.   I recall dealing with telephone system 
>vendors a while back, with a lot of cash on the table.  I told them all 
>that I had to have schematics
>and they - ALL  - told me that this was a deal breaker.
>
>Another factor is that there are a whole lot fewer folks out there that - 
>can- repair equipment to the component level these days.
>Or has the time to do so!
>
>Then there is the use of LSI that pretty much precludes bench repair.
>
>Some of this stuff is so cheap today that it's simply thrown away when it 
>breaks, because it's cheaper than spending the time to research the 
>problem, order parts, install and hope etc.
>I hate to say it, but this has become normal. (The older you
>are the harder this is to understand)
>And Yes I remember Sams - I recall vividly the invitations to come over 
>for dinner...........and bring your tool box.  Come to think of it, those 
>U-Test-Um tube testers seem to be missing at the grocery stores.
>
>Clay Freinwald
>
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