[geeks] Wireless Routers

[Janet Campbell]

On Thu, 6 Jul 2006, Micah R Ledbetter wrote:

> But why should my switch, VCR, alarm clock, other switch, wireless
> router (whether actually routing or not), usb hub, external drive
> enclosures, etc etc, all need external power packs?

In a nutshell, because it's cheaper for the manufacturer and simpler, from 
a regulatory point of view.

Seriously.  When a power supply is built into a device, the whole device 
has to go through an electrical safety approval process, probably an FCC 
approval (if it's a switching p/s), and needs to meet certain 
flameproofing requirements, at a minimum.

When a manufacturer buys a power brick, all that legwork has already been 
done - and if a given 'brick' is used for more than just one application, 
it's a win for both the brick manufacturers and the actual device 
manufacturers.

-Janet