[EAS]High-Tech Era Instructions

[pjk]

Subject:   High-Tech Era Instructions

Dear Colleagues -

My wife came home today from the hardware store with a simple six-foot
two-wire extension cord for operating some decorative lights in the
window. This large label is permanantly attached to the cord:

-------------- side 1 ----------------

       DANGER! ELECTRICAL
     CORDS CAN BE HAZARDOUS!
Misuse Can Result in FIRE or DEATH 
      by ELECTRICAL SHOCK.
Please Read BOTH SIDES Carefully and
     Follow All Directions.

          BEFORE USE

* A Cord Set Not Marked For Outdoor Use
  Is To Be Used Indoors Only.
  See Label For Outdoor Marking.
* Inspect Thoroughly Before Each Use.
  DO NOT USE IF DAMAGED.
* Look For The NUMBER OF WATTS
  On Appliances To BE PLugged Into Cord.
* See LABEL On Cord For SPECIFIC WATTAGE.
* Do Not Plug More Than The SPECIFIED
  NUMBER OF WATTS Into This Cord.
* Do Not Run Through Doorways,
  Holes In Ceilings, Walls or Floors.
* Make Sure The Appliance is OFF Before
  Connecting Cord To Outlet.
* FULLY INSERT Plug Into Outlet.
* Do Not Remove, Bend or Modify Any Metal
  Prongs or Pins of Cord.
* Do Not Use Excessive Force to
  Make Connections.
* Do Not Connect a Three-Prong
  Plug to a Two-Hole Cord.

    THIS IS A POLARIZED CORD


-------------- side 2 ----------------

       DANGER! ELECTRICAL
     CORDS CAN BE HAZARDOUS!
Misuse Can Result in FIRE or DEATH 
      by ELECTRICAL SHOCK.
Please Read BOTH SIDES Carefully and
     Follow All Directions.

          DURING USE

* Keep Away From Water.
* DO NOT USE WHEN WET.
* Keep Children and Pets Away From Cord.
* Do Not PLug One Extension Cord Into Another.
* AVOID OVERHEATING. Uncoil Cord 
  and Do Not Cover It With Any Material.
* Do Not Drive, Drag or Place 
  Objects Over Cord.
* Do Not Walk On Cord.

          AFTER USE

* GRASP PLUG to Remove From Outlet.
* Always Store Cord INDOORS.
* Always Unplug When Not In Use.
* Do Not Unplug By Pulling On Cord.

     DO NOT REMOVE THIS TAG

----------------------------------------
Not for the first time I find the implied consumer helplessness quite
frightening, combined as of course it is with litigiousness. How come
such labels were unheard of 20 years ago? 

Millions of transistors pass through our hands each day, in cell
phones, PDAs, CD players, etc., yet that simple two-wire cord is seen
threatening our lives like an easily irritated poisonous snake. Are we
even sure that all the engineering students we educate fully
understand all the obvious dangers behind the injunctions? ABET quite
apart, should we try a quiz? 

Personally, I understood the reason for those cautions at age twelve,
when I was already building line-voltage-powered electronics. My kids
learned the cautions from me. I guess Sesame Street doesn't cover
that.   --PJK