In message
<caey+zho7p8ud3cpwftnkrbzvembc0fgrfclkaqrcoz4pdh2...@mail.gmail.com>,
dated Thu, 24 Oct 2013, EMC Guy <[email protected]> writes:
Big chip makers like Texas Instruments and others sell "Eval boards" to
let developers test out a chip before deciding if they want to include
it in their design. These boards are usually not encased in a metal
box, and are meant to be used "naked" on a workbench with often many,
many cables attached to them.
I would like to know the EMC requirements for, let's say the US and
Europe (FCC and CE), on this type of equipment not intended for sale to
the general public.
If these "products" (they are sold, not given away) are exempt, what is
the method to get through customs without any EMC labeling on the
device or packaging?
I have some new information. For Europe, the EMC Directive (or perhaps
the RTTE Directive) does apply. (The LVD might apply to some products as
well.) This clarification may be due to the introduction of 'bare board'
products like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, which differ from evaluation
boards in target market, price and volume shipped, but could be
difficult for regulators to distinguish and there might be fears of
abuse of any concession.
The way to cope with this seems to be to apply the Directive and use the
EMC Assessment file to record and justify interpretations of the
standards (the Generic EMC standards may be appropriate) necessary when
applied to a bare board for use in a laboratory environment. For
example, the ESD tests might be applied only to the shells of
connectors, not everywhere, and cable lengths might be restricted to 2
metres. These interpretations would need to be notified to users in the
product documentation, to ensure as far as possible that they are
observed. The ESD issue could be covered by a warning to take normal
anti-static precautions.
There is no guarantee that this will fully resolve a challenge to the CE
marking by a zealous regulator, but without such a comprehensive EMC
Assessment file, the exposure is greatly increased.
--
OOO - Own Opinions Only. With best wishes. See www.jmwa.demon.co.uk
Nondum ex silvis sumus
John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK
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