Services	Make product safety part of your design, not part of your redesign
I am no longer actively involved in product development and my expertise is rapidly becoming obsolete with the imposition of IEC 62368. I still take the opportunity to learn and discuss developments in the field.

My object was to provide expert design guidance during the design and development process for information technology equipment and similar products.

This improves time to market ratios by reducing product approval iterations. The last thing you want is a bounce for relayout during the certification phase.

I provide advice during the design cycle, not generally available from approval agencies. Agencies often avoid providing design advice due commitments which may result in conflict of interest.

Knowlegeable support can be provided during disputes with certification agencies.

Innovative solutions are often provided to save time, space and cost.

Emphasis is placed on knowledge transfer to company employees, to enhance the company's in house design skills.

Below are a list of opportunities during the product cycle to consider product safety planning and design alternatives.

Concept reviews:

• Defining applicable standards
• Creating a project plan for the product safety process
• Identifying required and recommended agency approvals
• Establishing safety related component specifications
• Power entry schemes
• Considering Class I vs. Class II (grounded vs. doubled insulated) designs
• Identifying SELV, TNV, limited power, energy hazard and other circuit types
• Consideration of unusual risks such as software or application problems
• Product safety training

Design reviews:

• Meeting enclosure requirements
• Defining plastic flammability needs
• Establishing insulation and spacing needs
• Overcurrent protection, disconnect requirements
• Review during CAD of circuit spacings
• Evaluation of vendor products such as power supplies or subsystems
• Labeling and documentation
• General review of other hazards and requirements

Prototype evaluation

• Hardware review
• Safety testing

Product approval processes:

• Choosing the agencies
• Creating the submission package
• Minimizing agency expenses
• Manufacturer's self testing options
• Use of the IECEE CB Scheme
• Manufacturing test, audit and quality programs

Product failure or review considerations:

• Liability
• Risk analysis
• Failure analysis
• Retrofit, recall, repair and similar considerations
• Court actions