FCC/CE/CSA/etc. Approval

[[email protected]]

Can anyone summarize what the rules are for needing FCC/CE/CSA
approvals for custom electronics put into custom one-off industrial
equipment?

If I design a PCB and stick it in a rack of otherwise certified gear
(agilent, NI, etc.) and ship it to a customer for use in an industrial
setting, what is the requirement on me to get my design certified,
tested, etc.?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[[email protected]]

I should be a bit more specific. I'm looking at low voltage (24V at
most,+/-15V maybe for instrumentation), relatively low frequency stuff
(microcontroller controlled, say 40MHz osc., but otherwise everything
happens at less than 100kHz), low power (100W at most, due mostly to
relays).

A good example would be an instrumentation relay mux with some
microcontroller smarts or an array of thermocouple amplifiers.

Chris

 

[Pooh Bear]

I should be a bit more specific. I'm looking at low voltage (24V at
most,+/-15V maybe for instrumentation), relatively low frequency stuff
(microcontroller controlled, say 40MHz osc., but otherwise everything
happens at less than 100kHz), low power (100W at most, due mostly to
relays).

A good example would be an instrumentation relay mux with some
microcontroller smarts or an array of thermocouple amplifiers.

Well.... for starters, if your part of the equipment doesn't run off the
ac mains supply then the European Low Voltage Directive ( safety ) doesn't
apply. I imagine that'll be similar for UL / CSA too.

That leaves EMI / EMC to be addressed.

You can self-declare for CE btw. You don't *have* to have it tested.

Realistically no-one's ever likely to even look at a one-off. The law's
bad in this area since it gives no official 'leniency' for such
instances. It would be better if this kind of thing was covered by a
contractual clause with the customer in practice.

What does your customer require of you ?

Graham

 

[James Waldby]

Can anyone summarize what the rules are for needing FCC/CE/CSA
approvals for custom electronics put into custom one-off industrial
equipment?

If I design a PCB and stick it in a rack of otherwise certified gear
(agilent, NI, etc.) and ship it to a customer for use in an industrial
setting, what is the requirement on me to get my design certified,
tested, etc.?

I think FCC Part 15 regulations might be the relevant FCC rules.
See eg http://www.ce-mag.com/99ARG/Gubish31.html discussion and
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/part15/part15-61305.pdf .

If you have a low-frequency battery operated device it is
exempt from testing, AIUI. Section 15.103 (h) - "Digital
devices in which both the highest frequency generated and
the highest frequency used are less than 1.705 MHz and which
do not operate from the AC power lines or contain provisions
for operation while connected to the AC power lines"
-jiw

 

[Rich Grise]

I should be a bit more specific. I'm looking at low voltage (24V at
most,+/-15V maybe for instrumentation), relatively low frequency stuff
(microcontroller controlled, say 40MHz osc., but otherwise everything
happens at less than 100kHz), low power (100W at most, due mostly to
relays).

A good example would be an instrumentation relay mux with some
microcontroller smarts or an array of thermocouple amplifiers.

The simplest, quick-and-dirty answer is, have somebody sign off on it.
Whoever at the customer site who has responsibility for the insurance
and stuff. The customer will tell you what they want - get it in writing,
and if somebody signs off on it, you're off the hook.

Of course, shipping equipment that actually _meets_ the _spec_ is a
very positive attribute in this process.

Good Luck!
Rich