Reginald, You can assemble even Class B personal computers for residential use without having to test the whole unit if: 1. The power supply and motherboard were authorized under Declarations of Conformity (DoC's) or grants of certification. 2. You obey FCC 47 CFR Part 15 (FCC Part 15) sections 15.19, 15.101, and 15.102.
The testing of the power supply and motherboard are specified in Section 15.32 of FCC Part 15. Basically, if the power supply and motherboard are both reasonably quiet in an enclosure with the covers removed, they may be used in any enclosure. If the power supply and motherboard must have the covers on the case to pass, they can only be sold with that *specific* enclosure. The FCC had a .pdf file with the July 10, 2008 version of FCC Part 15 on their web site ( http://www.fcc.gov ) for close to 1-1/2 years, but it disappeared a few days ago. So I'll quote from a copy that I saved on my computer. The pertinent sections of FCC 47 CFR Part 15 (FCC Part 15 are: * Paragraph 15.19(b)(1)(ii) says: "If a personal computer is authorized based on assembly using separately authorized components, in accordance with ยง15.101(c)(2) or (c)(3), and the resulting product is not separately tested:" the label must have: - FCC symbol. - Trade name. - Model number. - "Assembled from tested components Complete system not tested". * Paragraph 15.101(c)(2) says: "The personal computer is authorized under a Declaration of Conformity or a grant of certification, and the CPU board or power supply in that computer is replaced with a CPU board or power supply that has been separately authorized under a Declaration of Conformity or a grant of certification; or," * Paragraph 15.101(c)(3) says: "The CPU board and power supply used in the assembly of a personal computer have been separately authorized under a Declaration of Conformity or a grant of certification." * Paragraph 15.101(c)(4) says: "Personal computers assembled using either of the methods specified in paragraphs (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section must, by themselves, also be authorized under a Declaration of Conformity if they are marketed. However, additional testing is not required for this Declaration of Conformity, provided the procedures in Section 15.102(b) of this chapter are followed." * Section 15.102(b) says: "(b) Assemblers of personal computer systems employing modular CPU boards and/or power supplies are not required to test the resulting system provided the following conditions are met: (1) Each device used in the system has been authorized as required under this part (Note: according to Section 15.101(e), some subassemblies used in a personal computer system may not require an authorization); (2) The original label and identification on each piece of equipment remain unchanged; (3) Each responsible party's instructions to ensure compliance (including, if necessary, the use of shielded cables or other accessories or modifications) are followed when the system is assembled; and, (4) If the system is marketed, the resulting equipment combination is authorized under a Declaration of Conformity pursuant to Section 15.101(c)(4) of this part and a compliance information statement, as described in Section 2.1077(b) of this chapter, is supplied with the system. Marketed systems shall also comply with the labelling requirements in Section 15.19 of this part and must be supplied with the information required under Sections 15.21, 15.27 and 15.105 of this part. (5) The assembler of a personal computer system may be required to test the system and/or make necessary modifications if a system is found to cause harmful interference or to be noncompliant with the appropriate standards in the configuration in which it is marketed (see Sections 2.909, 15.1, 15.27(d) and 15.101(e) of this Chapter)." Enjoy! John Barnes KS4GL, PE, NCE, NCT, ESDC Eng, ESDC Tech, PSE, SM IEEE dBi Corporation http://www.dbicorporation.com/ - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to that URL. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
