Voluntary Standards Cover the Spectrum: from Interconnection for Portable Media Players to Refrigeration Systems

In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes snapshots of the diverse standards initiatives undertaken in the global and national standards arena, many of which are performed by ANSI members and ANSI-accredited standards developers. Two of the latest selections follow:

Common Interconnection for Portable Media Players

Technical experts describe "portable media player" as an umbrella term for a variety of handheld devices that play back audio, video, or both. Often abbreviated as PMPs, these popular consumer devices have a range of abilities and, due to multimedia playback capabilities, are often used by consumers to read e-books, to organize photo albums, and to access stored music, podcasts, and FM radio. As the demand for PMP interconnectivity rises, so do the possibilities for the consumers and industries that utilize these devices on a regular basis.

The revised standard CTA 2017-A-2010 (R2016), Common Interconnection for Portable Media Players (formerly known as ANSI/CEA-2017-A), defines electrical and mechanical properties for a connector that will pass audio, high definition video, high speed/superspeed Universal Serial Bus (USB) and associated metadata signals, control signals, and power between portable electronic devices and in-home and in-vehicle audio/video systems.

Developed by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CTA-2017-A includes significant changes from ANSI/CTA-2017. Connectors and devices implemented using CTA-2017-A may not be compatible with those that use ANSI/CTA-2017.

CTA is an ANSI member and accredited standards developer. As a catalyst to the dynamic technology industry, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) accelerates growth and progress for the fast-paced economy. With leading market research, CTA educates members, and by establishing standards, CTA shapes the industry at large.

Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems and Designation and Classification of Refrigerants

More than 160 refrigerants are maintained under the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE's) refrigerant classification standard, and this list continues to grow as the industry's need for new refrigerants surges, the organization reports. Within the ASHRAE Standard 15-2016/ASHRAE Standard 34-2016 package, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems and Designation and Classification of Refrigerants, Standard 34 describes a shorthand way of naming refrigerants and assigns safety classifications based on toxicity and flammability data. Standard 15 establishes procedures for operating equipment and systems when using those refrigerants. ASHRAE offers the standards as a set.

ASHRAE, an ANSI member and audited designator, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its more than 56,000 members worldwide focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability. It reports how the changing needs of society are creating requirements for new refrigerants to be developed and used.