[sdiy] Advice for selling gear: FCC part 15 certification?

[Oren Leavitt]

I wonder what does really pass the tests or even gets tested...
My USRobotics Sportster external modem produces a 120Hz buzz thats 
audible on the FM dial from about 92MHz to 98MHz when the modem is on 
and the computer is turned off.

metasonix at earthlink.net wrote:

>> For CE, you can skip all testing and just claim you
>> pass. But if anyone complains, the powers that be will
>> grab a bunch of your product out of your wahehouse and
>> test it. If it fails AND you have done no testing,
>> you're busted. And in jail. If you fail but have
>> documented tests, then its a slap on the wrist. 
>
>
> No, for CE in Europe they want someone to be legally liable
> for problems. They can't extradite from another country for
> electrical safety issues in a product. So they demand a
> "Responsible Person" within EC jurisdiction.
>
> Excellent book on the subject: PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE LOW
> VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE by Gregg Kervill (Newnes, ISBN 0-7506-3745-5).
>
> Many EEs I know feel the IEC regulations covering EMC
> and electrical safety were simply and blatantly written to
> block all non-European products from the Europe market.
> And those regs were aimed at mass-market consumer electronics.
>
> Music stuff is much lower production, and isn't used by
> average consumers, so it isn't as stringently watched.
> But it depends on the country. France and Italy are especially
> harsh about it, for no good reasons.
>
>> As far as I know, its about the same in the US. No
>> policing except if complaints come in. But don't claim
>> FCC if you haven't done the testing.
>
>
> No, it's more an issue with legal liability in civil cases,
> and if you apply for product-liability insurance.
>
>> Lab time is quite expensive. The very nice at HP
>> charged $500/Hr for the 10 meter chamber, and $150/Hr
>> for all other lab time.
>
>
> One can count on EMC testing in the US to cost about $5k or
> more per product. Again, they will treat your gadget like
> a mass-market product intended for use by any ignorant fool.
> But a specialist product, of limited production, is rarely under
> such severe scrutiny. An external power supply usually makes
> your product a "partial kit", basically exempt.
>
> Wonder what Grant does for his modules.....Hey Grant!
>
>
>
>

-- 
Oren Leavitt
oleavitt at ix.netcom.com
619-579-5379
http://www.betternutrition.healingamerica.com
http://oren.profitmatic.com