Martin, A couple of quotes from the emissions standards should help.
>From EN 55011:1990, paragraph 4.2 (there probably is a newer version): "Although Class A limits have been derived for industrial and commercial establishments, administrations may allow, with whatever additional measures are necessary, the installation and use of Class A ISM equipment in a domestic establishment or in an establishment connected directly to domestic electricity power supplies." >From EN 55022:1994, paragraph 4.2 "Class A ITE is a category of all other ITE which satisfies the Class A ITE limits but not the Class B limits. Such equipment should not be restricted in its sale but the following warning shall be included in the instructions for use: WARNING This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures." We produce Class A type test equipment. We include the above warning in the manual. We also include installation instructions in the manual which give the user guidelines on how to set up a "compliant" installation as tested: such as using shielded cables, grounded line cords ... I interpret the above quotes to say that the manufacturer is not liable when Class A equipment is installed in a Class B environment. The onus is put on the user to take additional measures to limit interference. However, as a matter of being a responsible manufacturer, I would do whatever I could to help a customer who calls us with a concern regarding our product causing interference. I think its important that equipment be classified carefully in the first place. It wouldn't be appropriate to call a piece of equipment intended for domestic use "Class A" just to take advantage of easier emissions limits. On the other hand, if your equipment is justifiably Class A equipment; then it wouldn't be fair for you to have to incorporate additional cost and time to market in order to meet Class B limits. Have a great day and sell that Class A product! > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [SMTP:[email protected]] > Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2000 6:02 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Class A Laboratory Equipment in Europe > > > > > We have designed an instrument for use in laboratories that only meets > Class A > requirements for the EMC Directive. Our sales brochures, user manuals, > and > product label specify that the product only meets Class A limits. If we > sell > this product to a customer in a Class B environment, what is our potential > liability? The customer knows the product only meets Class A limits. > > In the situation above, is there any requirement to receive documentation > from > the customer, such as a signed letter, acknowledging that they are aware > that > the product is a Class A instrument? > > Is anyone aware of any legal cases in the European Union where legal > action was > taken for any situation similar to the one listed above? > > All responses are appreciated. > > Regards > > > Joe Martin > EMC/Product Safety Engineer > P.E. Biosystems > [email protected] > > > > ------------------------------------------- > This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety > Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. > > To cancel your subscription, send mail to: > [email protected] > with the single line: > unsubscribe emc-pstc > > For help, send mail to the list administrators: > Jim Bacher: [email protected] > Michael Garretson: [email protected] > > For policy questions, send mail to: > Richard Nute: [email protected] > ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected]
