Hello Robert, this is a good question.
I remember to have asked several test laboratories in Germany regarding this matter. The product I asked about was a mobile GPS-System with a notebook as control unit. This means not a mounted and fixed system but a mobile system which you can easily install and remove in a vehicle. This product is touching the border area between the EMC-Directive and the Automotive-Directive. Usually, equipment which is installed in a vehicle have to obtain the e-Mark but there are also exceptions for some products, like car audio systems until the year 2001. Equipment which is connected via a car power socket (e.g. cigarett lighter socket) is touching now the "border line": Usually equipment, which is connected directly and permanently to the vehicle systems have to obtain the e-mark, because this equipment can have an "influence on the vehicle environment" at least via the cable connection. Using this definition, all parts which have a direct connection to the vehicle systems must obtain the e-mark. This would result in case of a notebook using an DC/AC power transformer (12V>230V) in the fact that the DC/AC power transformer have to obtain the e-mark but the notebook not. >From my point of view you have to view the problem from another side: From the product liability side. Please consider the following: Vehicle manufacturers have restrictions and specifications regarding any accessory or optional product which is designated to be used in (their) vehicle. This specifications are much harder than the requirements of any directive, because vehicle manufacturers check not only EMC and electrical safety but also stability as well as safe installation issues (e.g. well fixing and a design which can cause no injury in case of an accident). Of course you can ignore these specifications, but please be aware that in case of accidents and injuries at least insurance companies may came back to you with demands. Please check the operating instructions of your own car. You may find some sentences about restrictions to use any accesssories not distributed by the related car manufacturer. Hope you'll find "your way" Have a nice X-Mas Andreas Thomas Product Safety Toshiba Europe --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] (the list administrators).
