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Rohs requirements & FCC — Parallax Forums

Rohs requirements & FCC

Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
edited 2009-02-07 22:59 in General Discussion
I am attempting to sell an electronic item of mine.

What are the implications if any of selling an item that is not rohs compliant in the usa? Or is a disclaimer needed?

Post Edited (Erik Friesen) : 1/29/2009 2:57:04 AM GMT

Comments

  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2009-01-28 22:56
    If you are selling it within the USA it may not be an issue since I don't believe it has been mandated (at least for the moment). To my knowledge it is more of an issue with any products being sold in Europe or overseas. I've read that it applies to all new electronics being made but there are possible exemptions for parts with no suitable replacement offered.

    There may also be other exemptions for older equipment but that is a gray area.

    Robert
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-01-28 22:57
    It applies to the EU. CE conformity is also required (EMC etc.)

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-01-28 23:08
    Any merchandise sold in California that contains lead, hexavalent chromium (commonly used to passivate zinc-plated — so-called "bright" — screws, nuts, etc.), and/or other listed chemicals requires a warning label with very specific wording. This is a result of Proposition 65 from 1986. By now, other states may be following California's example on this, too.

    -Phil

    Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 1/28/2009 11:19:10 PM GMT
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-01-28 23:26
    I figured I'd probably put a Prop65 on it having lived in north CA for 25 years.

    Per leon, I is EMC an issue at all?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-01-28 23:44
    Erik Friesen said...
    I figured I'd probably put a Prop65 on it having lived in north CA for 25 years.

    Per leon, I is EMC an issue at all?

    It'll have to satisfy the FCC requirements for the USA, as well as UL.

    Leon

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    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
  • Nick McClickNick McClick Posts: 1,003
    edited 2009-01-29 00:10
    Regarding FCC requirements - you can refer to part 15 of the FCC's regulations, here (pdf)

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  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-01-29 02:57
    Can someone with a little experience down this line (FCC validation) give me a few pointers for the steps I will need to take, and how to choose a qualified testing laboratory(if necessary) that won't break the bank. I am near Louisville,KY.
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2009-01-29 08:33
    FCC Certification is a tedious process and can prevent some very good products from hitting the open market. However, if you are up to the venture, do not hesitate.

    1) Read what you can about FCC part 15. IE: Wikipedia, net searches for "FCC Part 15 certification", and of course http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/
    2) Contact a few authorized certification labs and request more information about their process and fees.
    CCL in Salt Lake does FCC part 15 and 68 certs. www.cclab.com
    Agile www.agiletestgroup.com
    Linx technologies recommends www.celectronics.com
    3) Review your product's design again and again. Do not cut corners where RF emissions are involved.
    4) Have your product reviewed during a quote request by a testing lab. In some cases, they will assist you in being fully prepared to start before the fees begin.
    5) Be prepared to make design changes quickly if issues are found during testing.

    I have been involved with a about a dozen FCC Part 15 certs and most of them went smoothly. The few with issues required minor fab changes, EMI shielding changes, or a wall wart change. (Yes, one failed because the wall wart was a piece of junk, go back to #3)

    Timing ranges from 2-5 months and can cost between $4k and $10K depending on complexity of your design and the cert lab's fee structure.

    good luck!

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    ~~ dRu ~~

    Post Edited (dRudRudRu) : 1/29/2009 8:39:25 AM GMT
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-01-29 12:38
    I don't think certification is necessary. I think verification only. Maybe that is effectively the same difference.

    Here is what I am doing.

    estimationcreation.com/index.html

    Post Edited (Erik Friesen) : 1/29/2009 12:43:22 PM GMT
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2009-01-29 18:22
    There is a definite difference between the two. However, I think you are right. I would give one of the labs a call and they can head you in the right direction pretty easily. Since RF is not directly involved, it may be quick to clear FCC.

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    ~~ dRu ~~
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-02-07 21:27
    I did the FCC test today using dbi corporation in lexington,KY at the lexmark lab. It went well. I had to add a ferrite ring to my usb cable, probably from noise caused by the test computer, who knows. It passed for unintentional radiator class B.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-02-07 21:32
    That was quick and, apparently, painless. How much did it cost?

    -Phil
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-02-07 21:44
    Cables can act as antennas and re-radiate signals produced inside the unit.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-02-07 21:48
    It cost me $572, partly because I wrote a check on the spot for a discount. He charges $250 an hour, which I think is a good deal, when most labs had quoted me around $1500 total. He does testing in the lexmark lab in off hours.

    One thing I had decided early on was to drop the battery charging. That can add an entire dimension to the testing. The equipment they use can pick up harmonics and noise from anything. 30 DBuv doesn't leave a lot of room for something funny going on. The tester told me of one product that failed because of the wall wart.

    I would like to be left alone in the lab for a few hours to play with the equipment. ha ha. Each receiver (there are two of them in the 10m range) can test from 30 mhz to 2 ghz and cost $100,000.
  • Erik FriesenErik Friesen Posts: 1,071
    edited 2009-02-07 21:49
    The ferrite ring had to be placed at the computer side. It brought it from 32 to 27 or so.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-02-07 22:59
    Where I used to work we hired the lab facilities for half a day, and did our own initial testing, which was quite cheap. When we had sorted out any problems we got the unit formally tested and certified by the lab staff.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
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