Because terminology gets tossed around by different organizations, standards, directives, etc., without clear definition, let me see if I understand this correctly.
First of all, the FCC statement identifies a type of product; in this case "Test Equipment". This can be anything that tests or measures something, right? From a free DMM from Harbor Freight to a million dollar Mass Spectrometer (and beyond), these are all considered test equipment. The FCC also identifies three types of locations or environments; commercial, medical, and industrial. There are many more; some are grouped within these three, some get lost in the miss-mash. For instance, our company makes "Laboratory Equipment"; which is of course, equipment that is used in a laboratory environment where the employees are trained to work safety in an environment where added hazards are often present. A laboratory is usually part of or sets within a commercial, medical, or industrial environment, but in rare occasions, a mass spectrometer might end up in a residential environment, such as Batman's cave. But don't worry about those 'rare' occasions because I'm sure Batman is breaking all kinds of zoning and safety laws. The FCC is most concerned about the "Residential" environment. Most anything that could be used in this environment must comply with part 15 class B. For instance, a Digital Multi-meter can be used almost anywhere, in any environment, including residential. So if your product can likely be used in residential areas, then it should be part 15 class B. All-in-all you should consider that if you make something that is considered Electrical Equipment (EE), you should at least have it verified to meet the part 15 class A limits, so your product will play well with other EE. A quick verification test goes a long way in knowing if your product is going to cause trouble once in the field. Also keep in mind that many safety standards require products to meet some kind of emissions and/or immunity tests, so look beyond just what the FCC is requiring. I hope this was somewhat helpful. The Other Brian From: Nyffenegger, Dave [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:43 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [BULK] Re: [PSES] FCC part 18 Importance: Low Yes, I recall we have had this discussion before with the same answer. -Dave From: Bill Stumpf [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 6:16 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [PSES] FCC part 18 Dieter, The statement in 15.103 refers to Industrial test equipment, Commercial test equipment, and Medical test equipment. I am confident of this because I sent the very same question in an inquiry to the FCC in November of 2015. FCC inquiry response: "It is an exemption for demonstrating compliance for the digital logic contained in test equipment exclusively used in commercial, medical and industrial situations, not commercial equipment." Bill Stumpf - Lab / Technical Manager D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc. 166 South Carter Street Genoa City WI 53128 Ph: 262-279-0210 From: Paasche, Dieter [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 3:50 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [PSES] FCC part 18 Dear group, In FCC part 15.103 does the term "test equipment" refer to the medical equipment only or to the industrial and commercial equipment as well. (c) A digital device used exclusively as industrial, commercial, or medical test equipment Means if I have an industrial or commercial digital device (e.g cash register or industrial computer?) that is not for testing, would it have to comply with FCC part 15?. Sincerely, Dieter Paasche Senior Product Developer, Electrical CHRISTIE 809 Wellington Street North Kitchener, ON N2G 4Y7 Phone: 519-744-8005 ext.7211 www.christiedigital.com<http://www.christiedigital.com/> This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is confidential. 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