Blog
More Products Are Subject to FCC and R&TTE Wireless Module Compliance
Wireless modules are increasingly being integrated into everyday products, like refrigerators, cars, and consumer medical devices. Therefore, more manufacturers need to be aware of the regulatory requirements of wireless transmitters. European Union In the European Union, it is mandatory that radio equipment meets the requirements for the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE) 1999/5/EC... Read More
New UL 2735 Electric Utility Meter Standard Ensures Safety and Performance
In the past, design flaws in smart meter units have been known to cause serious fire hazards and spotty performance. This has caused a lot of concern for utilities and manufacturers of smart meters. To prevent problems like this, a new voluntary safety standard – UL 2735 – has been created for electric utility meters.... Read More
EMC Testing Requires Robust Traceability in EMI Measurements
As a leading 3rd party EMC Test Lab, MET Labs maintains a strict ISO/IEC 17025-2005 Quality System. This system includes a set of requirements addressing the subject of traceability of measurement results. Traceability means that the result of a measurement can be related to a national or international measurement standard, and that this relationship is... Read More
UK & Australian Companies May Be Exempt from ITAR Licensing for MIL-STD Testing
Foreign manufacturers of products that require U.S. Military Standard (MIL-STD) testing need to comply with the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Obtaining ITAR licensing and development of technical agreements can be a lengthy process. Fortunately, clients in the United Kingdom and Australia can simplify the process and bypass... Read More
RF Product Modifications May Be Eligible for an FCC Permissive Change
When an RF product is revised due to obsolete parts, cost cutting, or product improvements, how does the engineer know what the FCC requirements are for the altered product? Will it require a new FCC filing and ID number or will a Permissive Change be allowed? To allow products to be modified without requiring a... Read More
Q4 Product Safety Recall List Filled with Electronics & Electrical Products
In the last three months of 2014, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada maintained their torrid pace of recall announcements. Here is a list of electrical/electronic products that were recalled in the 4th quarter of 2014, per the Consumer Product Safety Commission: UL-Listed Keurig MINI Plus Brewing Systems AP Specialties Power Bank Chargers... Read More
FDA Adds 4th edition of IEC 60601-1-2 to EMC Consensus Standards List
In July 2014, the FDA recognized the 4th edition of IEC 60601-1-2 as a standard that can be used to show EMC compliance for medical electrical devices and systems. The complete standard is recognized with the following exception: In Subclause 8.9, Table 8 on Page 39: The citation of Note b) under “Conducted disturbances induced... Read More
Top 10 Compliance Today Blog Posts for Electrical Compliance Engineers in 2014
Just like last year, the Compliance Today blog for electrical product manufacturer compliance engineers saw a significant increase in readers and subscribers for 2014. Following were the most popular posts, by pageviews. IEC 60601-1-2 4th Edition for Medical EMC Has Immunity & Risk Management Changes EN 61326-1: 2013 Replacing 2006 Version for EMC Directive Evaluation... Read More
EU Inverters Mostly Non-Compliant to EMC Emissions Requirements in EN 55011 and EN 61000-6-3
In the first half of 2014, the European Union’s EMC Administrative Cooperation Working Group (EMC ADCO) performed a cross-border EMC market surveillance campaign to assess the compliance of grid-connected solar panel inverters (and optimisers) intended to be used by consumers. Inverters allow electricity generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to be fed into the mains... Read More
UL 508A 2nd Edition Now Required for Industrial Control Panels
The requirements for Industrial Control Panels have been recently updated to the 2nd edition. The second edition changes made to UL 508A will take effect this month. Changes in the new edition are extensive. They include: Air conditioners installed in panels need to comply with UL 1995 and clause 26.3 When protectors (fuse, breaker, etc.)... Read More
