Legal to sell DC-DC Converter *Kits*?

[Paul]

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Wecan do it]

Only your death will protect you from a lawsuit, but it will
not protect your estate. I think your problems would begin if
you claim UL without actual UL. Otherwise the end user would
need to get UL for the end product.

Having UL would make you insurance more affordable.

If you are really worried be sure to put a disclaimer with the
documentation and size that fuse so if the PS fails it does
not catch on fire or smoke excessively in any possible failure
mode short of total abuse.

BTW: Part of the UL testing regime would ( used to when I
checked it 25 years ago, require a hot cup of oil be poured
into your supply and not ignite. Fun with toasters.

Peace
dawg




"Paul" <energymover@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1a8d8698-3f87-4096-8bbf-0b91c63288f4@s9g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own
DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g.,
UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits
until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed.
The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a
flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC
Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a
guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Joel Koltner]

"Paul" <energymover@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a4f81504-a469-42db-9530-53326c90563d@i20g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
"Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's not just a DC-DC Converter,
but an entire mobile battery powered power supply package with
variable DC voltage up to 12V DC."

IANAL, but I suspect the sales of such a converter (without UL certification)
is in no way illegal. Heck, people sell stuff like 2.4GHz or 27MHz RF
amplifiers or non-cell-blocked RF receivers all the time, and everyone knows
darned well that 99% of the buyers are going to be *using* such equipment in
an illegal manual, yet the sellers are often left alone if they do a good
enough job of describing their goods as "test equipment" or similar. In your
case, there's not even any particular attractoin to use such a device in an
illegal manner.

That being said, if someone buys your product, it starts on fire and burns
their house down, you almost certainly will be sued these days. You can add
as many disclaimers as you want to the product, but that won't prevent your
loss of time and money when you're forced to win your case in court. I would
guess that about the only effective way to prevent much of this would be to
get a *written* agreement from potential customers that you're providing no
guarantees, the product is not UL listed, etc., since they it should be a
pretty much open-and-shut court case should the issue ever arise (unlike
"click-through" or shrinkwrap licenses, signed agreements hold a lot more
weight).

Alternatively, figure out how to set up a real corporation somehow, so that --
worst case -- the corporation is sued out of existance, but your personal
well-being is largely untouchable. (The "corporate veil" and all that --
unless *gross* negligence can be demonstrated, you're safe.)

---Joel

 

[Paul]

On Mar 5, 8:41 am, Paul <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's not just a DC-DC Converter,
but an entire mobile battery powered power supply package with
variable DC voltage up to 12V DC.

Regards,
Paul

 

On Mar 5, 11:41 am, Paul <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Help me out here; why would there be a problem? You can order any
number of DC-DC converters already made from Digikey, delivered next
day.

 

[Paul]

On Mar 5, 9:46 am, "Joel Koltner" <zapwireDASHgro...@yahoo.com> wrote:

"Paul" <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:a4f81504-a469-42db-9530-53326c90563d@i20g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
"Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's not just a DC-DC Converter,
but an entire mobile battery powered power supply package with
variable DC voltage up to 12V DC."

IANAL, but I suspect the sales of such a converter (without UL certification)
is in no way illegal.  Heck, people sell stuff like 2.4GHz or 27MHz RF
amplifiers or non-cell-blocked RF receivers all the time, and everyone knows
darned well that 99% of the buyers are going to be *using* such equipment in
an illegal manual, yet the sellers are often left alone if they do a good
enough job of describing their goods as "test equipment" or similar.  In your
case, there's not even any particular attractoin to use such a device in an
illegal manner.

That being said, if someone buys your product, it starts on fire and burns
their house down, you almost certainly will be sued these days.  You can add
as many disclaimers as you want to the product, but that won't prevent your
loss of time and money when you're forced to win your case in court.  I would
guess that about the only effective way to prevent much of this would be to
get a *written* agreement from potential customers that you're providing no
guarantees, the product is not UL listed, etc., since they it should be a
pretty much open-and-shut court case should the issue ever arise (unlike
"click-through" or shrinkwrap licenses, signed agreements hold a lot more
weight).

Alternatively, figure out how to set up a real corporation somehow, so that --  
worst case -- the corporation is sued out of existance, but your personal
well-being is largely untouchable.  (The "corporate veil" and all that --  
unless *gross* negligence can be demonstrated, you're safe.)

---Joel

Thanks Joel, that helped a lot!! Getting signed agreements until the
product is UL list is great idea. May as well get signed agreements on
both products, the kits and the prefabricated products.

And setting up a real corporation is another great idea I did not
think of-- the "corporate veil."

Many thanks,
Paul

 

[PeterD]

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 09:17:11 -0800 (PST), a7yvm109gf5d1@netzero.com
wrote:

On Mar 5, 11:41 am, Paul <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Help me out here; why would there be a problem? You can order any
number of DC-DC converters already made from Digikey, delivered next
day.

Well, IMHO, Paul needs to:

1. Dump gmail so his posts make it past the gmail.com twit/spam
filters, and

2. Understand the difference between civil (liabilty) and criminal
('lawful' or 'legal'). It is certainly lawful and legal to sell kits.
Whether you'd be exposed to liability should one go wrong, that's a
different story. Despite the often times held belief, everyone doesn't
get a liability suit filed againt them--no lawyer will bother with a
suit if the defendant has no money to speak of (and no liability
insurance), and that applies to virtually all small businesses.

3. The plaintif wuold still have to *prove* negligence, prove a case
where the plaintif acted reasonably, did everything according to the
supplied plans and parts, etc.

 

[PeterD]

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 09:46:37 -0800, "Joel Koltner"
<zapwireDASHgroups@yahoo.com> wrote:

"Paul" <energymover@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a4f81504-a469-42db-9530-53326c90563d@i20g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
"Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's not just a DC-DC Converter,
but an entire mobile battery powered power supply package with
variable DC voltage up to 12V DC."

IANAL, but I suspect the sales of such a converter (without UL certification)
is in no way illegal. Heck, people sell stuff like 2.4GHz or 27MHz RF
amplifiers or non-cell-blocked RF receivers all the time, and everyone knows
darned well that 99% of the buyers are going to be *using* such equipment in
an illegal manual, yet the sellers are often left alone if they do a good
enough job of describing their goods as "test equipment" or similar. In your
case, there's not even any particular attractoin to use such a device in an
illegal manner.

That being said, if someone buys your product, it starts on fire and burns
their house down, you almost certainly will be sued these days.

again, I'll say it: no lawyer will sue when the defendant has no
assets to speak of, and no insurance. There is no value in that type
of suit, nothing significant can be collected, and we all know the
plaintif won't have the money to pay the lawyer.

You can add
as many disclaimers as you want to the product, but that won't prevent your
loss of time and money when you're forced to win your case in court. I would
guess that about the only effective way to prevent much of this would be to
get a *written* agreement from potential customers that you're providing no
guarantees, the product is not UL listed, etc., since they it should be a
pretty much open-and-shut court case should the issue ever arise (unlike
"click-through" or shrinkwrap licenses, signed agreements hold a lot more
weight).

Alternatively, figure out how to set up a real corporation somehow, so that --
worst case -- the corporation is sued out of existance, but your personal
well-being is largely untouchable. (The "corporate veil" and all that --
unless *gross* negligence can be demonstrated, you're safe.)

Not today, not for small comproations that are not publically held.
Courts don't have any problems at all going after private assets in
this situations, and see the corporation as a simple method to avoid
liability.

---Joel

 

[Joel Koltner]

"PeterD" <peter2@hipson.net> wrote in message
news:rqa0r45o7668nb6bg3i238ohrti1bjkoob@4ax.com...

again, I'll say it: no lawyer will sue when the defendant has no
assets to speak of, and no insurance.

Hey, Paul might have millions sitting around, what do I know?

Point taken.

Not today, not for small comproations that are not publically held.
Courts don't have any problems at all going after private assets in
this situations, and see the corporation as a simple method to avoid
liability.

That's too bad. :-(

 

[David L. Jones]

"Paul" <energymover@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1a8d8698-3f87-4096-8bbf-0b91c63288f4@s9g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul
I always find it quite sad when people start getting nervous and worry about
these sorts of things.
I assume you live in the sue-happy US of A?
Really, don't worry about it. Design it properly (heat dissipation, overload
protection etc) and the chances of it burning down someone's home is zero.
How much power are we talking about here?, and what kind of batteries? Mains
power devices are another level, but if your device is not mains powered
then there is much less to worry about.

As others have said, the chances of someone suing you when you don't have
any insurance is very low, and that's on top of the chances of it burning
down someones house. What you have to worry about is people returning the
kit "under warranty" because they assembled it wrong and it doesn't work,
they'll think it's *your* responsibility to fix it. I've been selling kits
for my magazine projects for over 15 years, and that happens occasionally,
you just have to wear it.

Your chances are much higher of someone suing you when they trip and knock
their head in your front garden.

Just sell your kits and be happy.

BTW, here is my latest kit coming out shortly:
http://www.alternatezone.com/electronics/ucurrent/

Regards
Dave.

 

[Tom Biasi]

"Paul" <energymover@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1a8d8698-3f87-4096-8bbf-0b91c63288f4@s9g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Sci.electronics.basics.law

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

On 5 Mar., 23:22, "David L. Jones" <altz...@gmail.com> wrote:

"Paul" <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:1a8d8698-3f87-4096-8bbf-0b91c63288f4@s9g2000prg.googlegroups.com...





Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul
I always find it quite sad when people start getting nervous and worry about
these sorts of things.
I assume you live in the sue-happy US of A?
Really, don't worry about it. Design it properly (heat dissipation, overload
protection etc) and the chances of it burning down someone's home is zero..
How much power are we talking about here?, and what kind of batteries? Mains
power devices are another level, but if your device is not mains powered
then there is much less to worry about.

As others have said, the chances of someone suing you when you don't have
any insurance is very low, and that's on top of the chances of it burning
down someones house. What you have to worry about is people returning the
kit "under warranty" because they assembled it wrong and it doesn't work,
they'll think it's *your* responsibility to fix it. I've been selling kits
for my magazine projects for over 15 years, and that happens occasionally,
you just have to wear it.

Your chances are much higher of someone suing you when they trip and knock
their head in your front garden.

Just sell your kits and be happy.

BTW, here is my latest kit coming out shortly:http://www.alternatezone.com/electronics/ucurrent/

Regards
Dave.- Skjul tekst i anfřrselstegn -

- Vis tekst i anfřrselstegn -

Hi Dave

Cannot resist it, sorry. You site specs states:

3 Current ranges:
+/- 0-300mA (70ľV / mA burden voltage typical)
+/- 0-1000ľA (10ľV / uA burden voltage)
+/- 0-1000nA (10ľV / nA burden voltage)

A lot of typical numbers, ok thats ok for hobbyists ;-)

Output Voltage Units:
1mV/mA
1mV/ľA
1mV/nA
Resolution (nA range): 100pA (3.5digit meter), 10pA (4.5 digit meter)
Accuracy (typical): <0.2% on ľA and nA ranges, <0.5% on mA range.
Output Offset Voltage: Negligible on 4.5 digit meter

Neglible. He he - never seen that in a spec before

Bandwidth: 2KHz nominal (+/-0.1dB)
Temperature Drift: Insignificant over normal ambient range

Insignificant ;-) You should be a sales person (perhaps you are)

Noise: < -90dBV
THD: < -60dB
Battery: CR2032 Lithium coin cell
Battery Life: >200 hours (LED OFF), >50 hours (LED ON)

Regards

Klaus

 

[Frithiof Jensen]

"David L. Jones" <altzone@gmail.com> skrev i meddelelsen
news:OmXrl.21906$ur1.14315@newsfe15.iad...

Really, don't worry about it.

I would say: DO worry about it, at least enough to set up a business to
isolate yourself from any claims; A collegue of mine is being sued+harassed
endlessly by some c*nt he once *helped* with some work and fell out with
over not getting paid even the expenses for helping!

If you are neither working as an employee, nor as a business you are sortof
in the shite basically with endless legal possibilities of draining your
time and money through the courts.

 

[Ashnee]

On Mar 6, 9:59 am, Klaus Kragelund <klausk...@hotmail.com> wrote:

On 5 Mar., 23:22, "David L. Jones" <altz...@gmail.com> wrote:



"Paul" <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:1a8d8698-3f87-4096-8bbf-0b91c63288f4@s9g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul
I always find it quite sad when people start getting nervous and worry about
these sorts of things.
I assume you live in the sue-happy US of A?
Really, don't worry about it. Design it properly (heat dissipation, overload
protection etc) and the chances of it burning down someone's home is zero.
How much power are we talking about here?, and what kind of batteries? Mains
power devices are another level, but if your device is not mains powered
then there is much less to worry about.

As others have said, the chances of someone suing you when you don't have
any insurance is very low, and that's on top of the chances of it burning
down someones house. What you have to worry about is people returning the
kit "under warranty" because they assembled it wrong and it doesn't work,
they'll think it's *your* responsibility to fix it. I've been selling kits
for my magazine projects for over 15 years, and that happens occasionally,
you just have to wear it.

Your chances are much higher of someone suing you when they trip and knock
their head in your front garden.

Just sell your kits and be happy.

BTW, here is my latest kit coming out shortly:http://www.alternatezone.com/electronics/ucurrent/

Regards
Dave.- Skjul tekst i anfřrselstegn -

- Vis tekst i anfřrselstegn -

Hi Dave

Cannot resist it, sorry. You site specs states:

3 Current ranges:
+/- 0-300mA (70ľV / mA burden voltage typical)
+/- 0-1000ľA (10ľV / uA burden voltage)
+/- 0-1000nA (10ľV / nA burden voltage)

A lot of typical numbers, ok thats ok for hobbyists ;-)

Output Voltage Units:
1mV/mA
1mV/ľA
1mV/nA
Resolution (nA range): 100pA (3.5digit meter), 10pA (4.5 digit meter)
Accuracy (typical): <0.2% on ľA and nA ranges, <0.5% on mA range.
Output Offset Voltage: Negligible on 4.5 digit meter

Neglible. He he - never seen that in a spec before

Bandwidth: 2KHz nominal (+/-0.1dB)
Temperature Drift: Insignificant over normal ambient range

Insignificant ;-)  You should be a sales person (perhaps you are)

Noise: < -90dBV
THD: < -60dB
Battery: CR2032 Lithium coin cell
Battery Life: >200 hours (LED OFF), >50 hours (LED ON)

Regards

Klaus

my friend about movies for basketball game tonight 6:30 to 9

 

[PeterD]

On Fri, 6 Mar 2009 17:29:14 +0100, "Frithiof Jensen"
<frithiof.jensen@diespammerdie.jensen.tdcadsl.dk> wrote:

"David L. Jones" <altzone@gmail.com> skrev i meddelelsen
news:OmXrl.21906$ur1.14315@newsfe15.iad...

Really, don't worry about it.

I would say: DO worry about it, at least enough to set up a business to
isolate yourself from any claims;

Again, in the US such isolation is virtually impossible to obtain
without a public company. If the courts determine you were negligent
you will be liable. The only way to absolutely avoid liability is to
both have the company a publicly owned corporation, and to NOT work
for the company.

A collegue of mine is being sued+harassed
endlessly by some c*nt he once *helped* with some work and fell out with
over not getting paid even the expenses for helping!

If you are neither working as an employee, nor as a business you are sortof
in the shite basically with endless legal possibilities of draining your
time and money through the courts.

 

[David L. Jones]

"Klaus Kragelund" <klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:06071cbb-6459-4363-9c83-

Hi Dave
Cannot resist it, sorry. You site specs states:
3 Current ranges:
+/- 0-300mA (70ľV / mA burden voltage typical)
+/- 0-1000ľA (10ľV / uA burden voltage)
+/- 0-1000nA (10ľV / nA burden voltage)

A lot of typical numbers, ok thats ok for hobbyists ;-)

Typical?
Show me one multimeter that even comes close to those burden voltages.

Dave.

 

[John Fields]

On Thu, 5 Mar 2009 08:41:07 -0800 (PST), Paul <energymover@gmail.com>
wrote:

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit?

---
Yes.
---

I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters,

---
Why? UL is a testing laboratory, not a regulatory agency, so they can't
keep you from doing whatever you want to.

so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

---
You'd be better off getting legal advice from a lawyer rather than the
likes of us.

JF

 

[John Nagle]

Paul wrote:

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit?

Yes. But it's pointless.

Nobody sells kits any more, other than in very tiny volume. It's
cheaper to have the whole thing assembled in Asia.

Also, in an assembly plant, surface mount components, which are
cheaper, can be used.

John Nagle

 

[FunkyPunk FieldEffectTrol]

On Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:18:31 -0800, John Nagle <nagle@animats.com> wrote:

Paul wrote:
Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit?

Yes. But it's pointless.

Nobody sells kits any more, other than in very tiny volume. It's
cheaper to have the whole thing assembled in Asia.

Also, in an assembly plant, surface mount components, which are
cheaper, can be used.

John Nagle

SMT can also be used in kits, ya big dopey ditz.

 

On Mar 5, 12:41 pm, Paul <energymo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

Is it legal to sell a kit that includes all of the parts,
instructions, and diagrams so someone could build there own DC-DC
Converter kit? I believe it requires certifications (e.g., UL) to make
& sell DC-DC Converters, so someone suggested selling kits until I
make enough $ to get the DC-DC Converter fully UL listed. The kit
would also include the DC batteries and the chassis.

It's legal to sell kits. Don't assemble it at all. Assuming you have
a disclaimer of liability statement prominently displayed within the
purchasing process, it is the person who builds the device who assumes
liability.

Once you start preassembling them, UL listing or not it is you who
assumes liability, a good insurance policy should be in place by that
point.

This seems a little iffy to me because what if there's a flaw in my
circuit design, someone buys my kit that includes all of the
directions and parts (everything) to make the DC-DC Converter, they
build it, and it burns down their house? That might be a guaranteed
lawsuit win for them, no?

Thanks,
Paul

Nothing is bulletproof, nor do you have any reasonable guarantee that
even if your design is perfect, that someone won't improperly assemble
it or spill a bottle of liquid inside, throw it in the bathtub, knock
it off a shelf and then try to use it attached to a kite during an
electrical storm.

All you can do in that regard is put thought into it's ruggedness and
test it as much as your conscience demands. Spontaneous failure and
fire can usually be prevented with basic steps like a good strain
relief at the chassis, fuse(s), adequate clearance between parts and
cementing down anything prone to flop around due to it's height vs
weight (though in this latter case, it's part of the instructions for
the assembler). Test it in high ambient temperature conditions, power
cycle the heck out of it. Drop it on the floor a few times and see
what goes wrong. At that point you have exceeded due diligence, most
finished products you buy won't survive these conditions.

Make sure you clearly state there are no refunds once assembly has
begun and emphasize safety during construction and use. At that point
each individual customer assumes responsibility for their ability to
understand the circuit and build it properly, but if you don't have an
EE degree it would be good to have an EE validate it in writing just
in case anyone ever tried to sue you for their own mistakes.