Blog
Hazardous Locations Guide: Certification & Markings
Hazardous Locations Guide: North American and IECEx/ATEX Certification & Markings The world of hazardous locations can be challenging to navigate as combustible dusts, flammable gases, mists or vapors can all contribute to potentially explosive atmospheres in the workplace. All equipment manufactured for use in explosive atmospheres must be suitably marked and there are many requirements... Read More
R&TTE to RED Transition Period for Radio Equipment Nearing an End
The European Parliament and Council Directive on Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment (1999/5/EC) was revised in 2014 to become the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The R&TTE Directive covers all equipment that uses the radio frequency spectrum, with a few exceptions. It also covers all terminal equipment attached to public telecommunication networks. The main objective of... Read More
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow: Low power, long range Wi-Fi
In 1985 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made the decision to open, what were considered, “garbage bands” of wireless spectrum (900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz) to allow them to be used for communication purposes. This small swath of unlicensed radio frequencies were already allocated to ISM equipment that used radio-frequency energy for purposes other than communication... Read More
EN 55032 Electromagnetic Compatibility of Multimedia Equipment
EN 55032 is a specific EMC product standard covering EMC compliance testing of Multimedia Equipment (MME) and replaces several other product standards which will soon cease to give presumption of conformity. This new standard will become effective as a harmonized emission standard in compliance with EMC Directive 2014/30/EU The standard was approved in 2012, was subsequently published... Read More
What Every Electrical Inspector Needs to Know: NFPA 790/791
Prior to the publication of NFPA 790 and 791, AHJs did not have a formal process for recognizing Field Evaluation Bodies. Here’s what every electrical inspector should know regarding NFPA 790/791, Field Evaluation Bodies (FEB), listing, and labeling for the NEC. Read More
6 Steps to Successful FCC Testing & Certification of Electrical Products
6 Steps to Successful FCC Testing & Certification of Electrical Products Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers planning to sell their products in the United States must ensure that their equipment won’t electromagnetically interfere with other products or cause harm to the public. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees and enforces this requirement, per Title 47 of CFR.... Read More
IEC Developing Test Standards for Wireless Power Transfer Products in Two Committees
Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology has been around since the early 1900s (Nikola Tesla), but it has become increasingly more popular within the last decade. Consumer awareness of wireless charging doubled to 76% in 2015, according to IHS Inc. The company predicts that by 2019, wireless charging for wearable technology alone could be worth USD... Read More
How the Hoverboard Industry Could Have Dodged a Product Safety Crisis
Once, the hoverboard was the hot new toy. Now, all too often, it is too thermally hot – catching on fire and destroying homes and property. According to a recent CPSC tweet, there are 28 fire investigations in 19 states attributed to hoverboards. Like your laptop, tablet or phone, hoverboards use lithium ion batteries as... Read More
Top 10 Compliance Today Blog Posts for Electrical Compliance Engineers in 2015
Each year we see a significant rise in readers and subscribers for our Compliance Today Blog posts. The following were the most viewed posts in 2015. ETSI EN 300 328 Version 1.9.1 Contains Important Updates to V1.8.1 FCC Incorporates ANSI C63.4-2014 and ANSI C63.10-2013 into Rules for Unintentional and Intentional Radiators External Power Supplies Must... Read More
For ITE KC Approvals in Korea, KN32/KN35 Replacing KN22/KN24
Beginning on January 1, 2016, Korea standards KN32 and KN35 will be replacing KN22 and KN24 for KC EMC approval of IT equipment. After December 31, 2015, KN22/KN24 will no longer be accepted by Korea. For customers with products that have been KN22/KN24 approved previously, no action is required. Permissive change applications using KN22/KN24 reports... Read More