Doug, et al, FCC Part 15 addresses digital devices only. And they continue to use the term "digital" over and over again. The scope of FCC Part 15 does not address analog devices, whether they be industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment. However, the FCC are exempting (and some say temporarily) digital devices that are "used exclusively as industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment." Therefore, no, a company that makes analog test equipment does not have to EMC test such products. (And someone tell me please how exactly they would test them if they wanted to!)
[email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: Doug McKean Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 5:46 PM To: EMC-PSTC Discussion Group Subject: Re: Test Equipment ... "Price, Ed" wrote: > > Doug: > > The rationale that I recall is that test equipment is expected to be used by > people who understand the nature of electrical measurements and safety. > These people will have the knowledge and resources, beyond those of a > typical consumer, to recognize and ameliorate interference and other > problems. Further, it is argued that compliance measures might hinder > absolute accuracy and sensitivity of measurement equipment. Also, that test > equipment is not usually manufactured in numbers comparable to typical > consumer equipment, so the impact on a society is less. > > IIRC, there is a somewhat shorter and simpler explanation buried somewhere > in Part 15. Okay, follow me on this for just a minute. " 47 CFR, 15.103, Exempted devices. (c) A digital device used exclusively as industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment." The important word is "digital". Why just digital? Does this mean if a company makes analog industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment, that equipment MUST be tested? Regards, Doug McKean (slowly becoming more confused ...) ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Michael Garretson: [email protected] Dave Heald [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.rcic.com/ click on "Virtual Conference Hall,"
