Jon, Some of my FCC knowledge is a little old, but here's what I believe still applies.
If your widget uses digital logic clocked at 10kHz or above, it is subject to FCC regulations and all that entails. The FCC does permit self-declaration for some types of products, but you would be in a tough spot if you self-declared without any reasonable emissions testing and data at some kind of EMC test facility. The self-declaration allowed for CE marking does not apply unless you were selling in Europe, and again would have to have the data to back up your self declaration. The FCC does engage in enforcement activities, e.g. sampling products from store shelves. However, it is more likely that a complaint would have to occur before it reached their attention. If it meets requirements, you have to explain why it bore no FCC marking. If it did not meet, and bore no marking, you might be in deep doo doo. If the remore control for my TV set must bear an FCC statement (and it does) there is little doubt that a more powerful microcontroller would be subject as well, even though it is an unintentional radiator. These are only my opinions and are worth what you paid for them..... George Alspaugh Lexmark International ---------------------- Forwarded by George Alspaugh on 02/20/98 12:31 PM --------------------------- Please respond to jonb%[email protected] To: emc-pstc%[email protected] cc: (bcc: George Alspaugh) bcc: George Alspaugh Subject: FCC Questions. Hello Everyone, A lot of "budding midnight designers" ask these questions on the microcontroller newsgroups so I thought I'd ask them here - and learn something :) (If I've missed some FAQ that covers this please let me know.) 1) Say I'm building some microcontroller based widget in my home business that runs model trains (or whatever). It's not an intential transmitter, its typically used in the home. And I want to sell them. Do I need some FCC approval. Specifically do I need to: 1.a) Spend money having someone test emissions. 1.b) File some paperwork with the FCC. 2) If I don't have the money for testing - but I really do know how to keep my microcontroller quiet (i.e I know loop area, di/dt, and maybe even have done lots of other 'approved' products) - and a little in-home testing shows it doesn't bother the rabbit ears or show-up on the AM or FM radio. Would I be in violation of some law if I just sold the darn thing. 2.a) Would I be in violation if it really was quiet to CISPR (i.e. would have passed). (i.e. is there now a CE mark like compliance that lets me self declare and assert who's responsible). 3) How does the FCC verify that I don't pollute the EM band - do they random sample train widgets or wait for someone to complain. Thanks, Jon Bertrand [email protected]
