Patton Standardizes AC/Mains Connections

As worldwide distribution of Patton products has risen, so have the complications associated with supplying hardware for international AC/mainsconnections on our powered products. After careful consideration, we have devised a standardized approach to international AC/Mains cabling. Webelieve this new approach will satisfy the broadest possible range of distributor and customer needs.

A Shared Solution
Patton products can be divided into three categories with respect to the way they derive operating power: Self-powered products derive their operatingpower from the data interface, so no AC/Mains power is required. (Ex. Model 1000 Short Range Modem). Internally powered products, on the "highend" of Patton's product line, have an internal power transformer. These need only the country-appropriate cable for connection to the AC/Mains outlet.(Ex. Model 2703 G.703 Converter.) Externally powered products have no internal transformer, and therefore require both a country-appropriate powertransformer and a country-appropriate power cable. (Ex. Model 1060 Short Range Modem). The key to Patton's new approach is that it provides ashared solution for internally and externally powered products.

Two Standard Elements

Our new approach to international AC/Mains power separates the power connection into two standard elements: the transformer and the power cord.First, let's look at how we have standardized the transformer.

Whether a product uses an internal or external transformer, it will always present a shrouded, male IEC-320 connector to the outside world. On internallypowered products, the IEC-320 connector will generally be mounted to the back panel (the internal transformer itself will vary in description from productto product). On externally powered products, the 230 VAC transformer will itself be equipped with an IEC-320 connector, and will then connect viapigtail to a cannon jack on the rear of the product. This way, you will know that whenever you order a powered Patton product, it will always have anIEC-320 connector.

The second standardized element will be the power cord. Since every powered Patton product will now present a male IEC-320 connector, every powercord will have a female IEC-320 connector at one end. The other end will be a country-specific AC/Mains connection. With Patton's new approach toAC/Mains Power, the same power cord will now work with both internally and externally powered Patton products. And this type of power cord iswidely available. So in the case of externally powered Patton products (which are shipped with a transformer, but not a power cord), distributors nowhave the option of purchasing a country-specific power cord from Patton or purchasing a cord from a local vendor. It should be noted that internallypowered Patton products are shipped with a power cord, and the type must be specified when ordering.