Alan Hudson writes and I agree with him in that a collection of EMC compliant bits do not necessarily make for a compliant system. It's always a good idea to undergo an objective evaluation whenever a board or other component (EMC CE-marked or not) is added to a compliant PC for continued compliance. Whenever I have assumed anything in the past, I usually got bit. So, I don't assume anything which keeps me and my employer honest.
>(1) If I buy a PC "package" from, say, Dell or HP or Opus, where the "package" is a >PC plus an installed Ethernet card plus a "Soundblaster" card, and maybe a printer >with its cable:- Can I expect the EMC CE-mark to refer to the "package" and not to >each of the "bits". My answer to that would be to request a MDofC or some other evidence that the supplier has shown due diligence in meeting the protection requirements for that system. If a MDofC or some other evidence cannot be supplied, it's a good bet that a system-level test was not performed and whatever CE marks are present only pertain to the individual system components. >In other words, can I expect (or even demand that) the suppliers (such as Dell, HP, >etc) will be testing their "packages" (or sample "worst case" representatives of >these)? I wouldn't expect anything, but most of the major PC suppliers do expend a sizable amount on and are quite conscientious of compliance. However, ask what assembly level of their product was tested for CE compliance. That information may or may not surprise you. Again, ask for proof of compliance and at what level was compliance claimed. Regards, Ron Pickard [email protected] The usual opinion disclaimer applies.
