Analogueage Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 Apologies if this is already addressed. How do I know as a buyer that my cables are certified? From a HiFi perspective I purchase reputable cables (Nordost, Shunyata and Isotek, I now only buy Isotek as this is the brand I have the most of), from reputable retailers in Australia who presumably use the official distributor who presumably get them straight from the manufacturer. I do not check any component I buy for electrical certification, I only buy using the chain described above, so why would I? Are we now saying that some/many/all of these cables are not certified? If any are not certified whose responsibility is it to remedy the problem, assuming there really is a problem?. Thank you, Rob
davewantsmoore Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 On 27/05/2023 at 5:53 AM, 075Congo said: A 0.5m Power cord for $21 AUD with a Free Speed Pack to Australia from Fujian Sheng Quanzhoushi in China. Useful length! Expand With the same plug as your SR cord.
Andythiing Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 @Marc why not simply ban the sale of power cables on SNA - seems to risky a proposition for members to be trading on this forum - ie risk management- worst case being death (electrocution/fire) seems to me you’d be better off leaving the trading of power chords to other means - I realise risks with other equipment but seems easier to at least have some faith in amps etc than what appears an open season on non compliant after market power chords? Too much?
bob_m_54 Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 (edited) On 29/05/2023 at 1:30 AM, rantan said: Fair enough. You certainly have vastly superior knowledge of electrical products and standards than I do ,but I am also sure that you get the drift of what I was saying and its underlying intent. With deep respect I think you know where I am going with this and maybe coming up with exceptions is not ideal yeah? Expand Yes, I see where you're going. But but you can't ban the importation and sale of something that has a legitimate use under the regulations. Edited May 29, 2023 by bob_m_54 clarification
Andythiing Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 On 29/05/2023 at 8:11 AM, bob_m_54 said: Yes, I see where you're going. But but you can't ban the importation and sale of something that has a legitimate use under the regulations. Expand But Marc can choose to not allow it to be traded on SNA?
bob_m_54 Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 (edited) On 29/05/2023 at 8:16 AM, Andythiing said: But Marc can choose to not allow it to be traded on SNA? Expand Yes indeed he can, but that's a separate situation. My post was in context of @rantan's post about banning the importation and sale of these items in Australia in general.. That's why I quoted @rantan's post, and not yours. Edited May 29, 2023 by bob_m_54 1
075Congo Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 (edited) What does the Office of Fair Trading say about selling non-compliant power cords in Australia. Is it LEGAL? Edited May 29, 2023 by 075Congo
Guest Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 A blanket ban here is not the answer and that would effectively just sweep the issue under the trable. Knowledge and education are the way - and as I mentioned previously we are looking into the actual legalities of this once again so that we are armed with the right knowledge, which we can pass on to our readers. Pressure can be applied to the importers and distributors to ensure they are doing the right thing - so the more we can raise awareness of this issue, the better. Our industry will move forward in the right way. Many products do in fact, comply. It would be impossible for us to know what does and what doesn't comply just by the information contained within advertisements so banning all is not the best way forward. 2
lucmor444 Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 I may be missing something here but don’t the valid concerns about the type of power cables referenced here apply to all power cables? Therefore any purchase of a second hand component with a power source requiring mains power has the same applicable issues to the power cord supplied with that component? 1
Guest Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 In theory, you would be right, I imagine - but there's no regulation possible (by relevant authorities) on the second-hand market. It's an even bigger minefield than what it is already with the sale of new products.
lucmor444 Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 On 29/05/2023 at 10:34 PM, Marc said: In theory, you would be right, I imagine - but there's no regulation possible (by relevant authorities) on the second-hand market. It's an even bigger minefield than what it is already with the sale of new products. Expand Agree. To me it just indicates that calls for banning power cord ads (or some other action to restrict such sales) appears to target only a section of the market that, by logical extension, should apply to cords supplied with all mains powered components. Something just not practical. I recently purchased an item from Cash Converters and it's power cord had been tested and tagged - so perhaps they have a regulation they are required to meet as a commercial operator selling second hand items. Any regulation would definitely fail in the private second hand market.
Weka Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 On 29/05/2023 at 10:46 PM, lucmor444 said: Part quote: I recently purchased an item from Cash Converters and it's power cord had been tested and tagged - so perhaps they have a regulation they are required to meet as a commercial operator selling second hand items. Any regulation would definitely fail in the private second hand market. Expand My understanding is that all second-hand electrical appliances (inclusive of power cords) are required to be Tested & Tagged prior to sale by both private and commercial sellers. With respect to new electrical items, the supplier is legally required to supply either Certificate of Approval details or a Suppliers Declaration of Conformity Document (depends on risk classification) when requested by the purchaser.
Guest Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 Is that information relevant to NZ @Weka (noting your location)? You've used and referenced documents and terminology I have not encountered in our research into this. I don't believe the test and tag applies to second-hand private sales in Australia.
Analogueage Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 Time to let @Marc get the real advice on this. Way too much speculation going on. Rob
Andythiing Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 Is it in question (at least in states where adopted - 4?) For a person other than a Responsible Supplier Second or subsequent suppliers in the supply chain must ensure that electrical equipment offered for sale complies with the following: Equipment is sourced from a Responsible Supplier who is registered on the EESS Registration Database; and, that equipment is registered on the EESS Registration Database (mandatory for Level 2 and Level 3); and, the equipment is marked with Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance with the requirements listed in AS/NZS 4417.1 & AS/NZS 4417.2. https://www.eess.gov.au/equipment/selling-electrical-equipment-in-australia/ 2
Ars Paart Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 https://www.eess.gov.au/equipment/second-hand-equipment/ Quote The requirements of the EESS does not apply for second-hand equipment that has previously been sold in Australia and had met the requirements for selling electrical equipment at the time of first offered for sale. Individual jurisdictions may have specific legislative requirements relating to sale of second-hand electrical equipment. Contact the Electrical Safety Regulatory Authority for more information in the jurisdiction you intend to sell such equipment. See Regulatory Authorities contact details here. Expand 1
Guest Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 On 30/05/2023 at 1:46 AM, Andythiing said: Is it in question (at least in states where adopted - 4?) For a person other than a Responsible Supplier Second or subsequent suppliers in the supply chain must ensure that electrical equipment offered for sale complies with the following: Equipment is sourced from a Responsible Supplier who is registered on the EESS Registration Database; and, that equipment is registered on the EESS Registration Database (mandatory for Level 2 and Level 3); and, the equipment is marked with Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance with the requirements listed in AS/NZS 4417.1 & AS/NZS 4417.2. https://www.eess.gov.au/equipment/selling-electrical-equipment-in-australia/ Expand You need to read it in its entirety and context: Quote The requirements of the EESS does not apply for second-hand equipment that has previously been sold in Australia and had met the requirements for selling electrical equipment at the time of first offered for sale. Expand 1 1
Andythiing Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 On 30/05/2023 at 2:18 AM, Marc said: You need to read it in its entirety and context: Expand I guess my point is for many of these cables they have not previously met the standard or have been imported by current owner - hence my reading is they legally have responsibility to meet it? Am I missing something?
Guest Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 Don't know, but that's a bit of a distraction for me at the moment. We're focusing on new products and their first entry point into Australia. From that point on, differences can be made that will flow on for the product's life (including second-hand down the track). Looking at the 2nd hand market at this point seems pointless to me. 2
075Congo Posted May 30, 2023 Posted May 30, 2023 The flow of new power cords into Australia from various online groups (The Cable Company, Future Shop UK , Ali Express ) is problematic. The only regulation on these power cords would seem to be with the Australian and New Zealand Customs process. I am not aware of any Customs regulation applying to importation of power cords. None were applied in my case. 1
Gee Emm Posted June 4, 2023 Posted June 4, 2023 Correct Also, power supplies, wall warts, etc etc... 1
075Congo Posted June 14, 2023 Posted June 14, 2023 Elsewhere on this site the virtues of ICE AGE Power cords are being discussed and promoted. Examining the photos of one of the ICE AGE PC's clearly shows non-compliance with Australian standards. That the member owns to having 20 of them in his possession is a worry for them ultimately being sold on Stereonet. The sheer scale of these power cord products is alarming and they are flooding the Australian market. 1 1
Andythiing Posted June 14, 2023 Posted June 14, 2023 On 14/06/2023 at 12:48 AM, 075Congo said: Elsewhere on this site the virtues of ICE AGE Power cords are being discussed and promoted. Examining the photos of one of the ICE AGE PC's clearly shows non-compliance with Australian standards. That the member owns to having 20 of them in his possession is a worry for them ultimately being sold on Stereonet. The sheer scale of these power cord products is alarming and they are flooding the Australian market. Expand If bricks and mortar stores shouldn’t be selling these I’m not sure why they would be allowed on a reputable audio website? 1
Silver Audiophile Posted June 14, 2023 Posted June 14, 2023 On 14/06/2023 at 12:48 AM, 075Congo said: Elsewhere on this site the virtues of ICE AGE Power cords are being discussed and promoted. Examining the photos of one of the ICE AGE PC's clearly shows non-compliance with Australian standards. That the member owns to having 20 of them in his possession is a worry for them ultimately being sold on Stereonet. The sheer scale of these power cord products is alarming and they are flooding the Australian market. Expand Mick, Mick, calm your knickers. I have absolutely no intention to sell these fine cables on SNA. When I last checked, selling them on SNA is not prohibited, so long as a disclaimer is mentioned in the ad. I am not being paid to 'promote' these power cords, but merely expressing my satisfaction as a customer (I hope this distinction is clear to you).
075Congo Posted June 17, 2023 Posted June 17, 2023 My knickers are very calm. I have replaced the non-compliant power connectors on my Synergistic Research power cables with Furutech Connectors bought locally from Michael at AV Gallery. There might come a day when non compliant power components will be required by regulation to be replaced. We are not there yet. SR has made a decision to fit non-compliant AUS/NZ plugs on all their products . A brave commercial decision. I made some sort of decision when I bought the SR power cords in early 2021.......now I find that I wrong. I have no recourse against The Cable Company in the USA who sold me the SR products. Knickers still very calm.
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