FCC Certification

[Noto]

What type of products require FCC certification?

Also I was told that it cost 8-10K for this certification... Is this correct?

[jeffs555]

The appropriate FCC regulation is called Part 15. Here is a link.
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/part15/PART15_07-10-08.pdf

Just about any electronic device comes under this regulation. Section 15.103 shows what devices are exempted from regulation. Section 15.101 shows whether a particular device needs Certification, Declaration of Conformity, or Verification.

Not sure how much certification costs, as most of the testing I have been involved with was for Class A devices(used only in industrial environment) which only require verification. I believe the cost for testing these was only a couple thousand. Some Class B (use in residential area) devices also require only verification while some require certification which I am sure is more expensive.

[TomM]

Anything that transmits or receives, or anything that could accidently transmit or receive-lol....noise, hum, clicks, whatever
I did this years ago when my company was making satellite transmitters. Jeff is pretty right about the price. Testing of a product is done by 3rd party private companies, who submit the paperwork to the FCC. They have a list of FCC guidlines required for whatever product. This is around a couple hundred bucks per hour for most consumer devices, unless it's broadcast or microwave communication equipment which requires more expensive test equipment, or a large anechoic chamber (shielded quiet RF room) or a large antenna test range. These would be about $1000/hr, taking between 4 to 20 hours.
The FCC itself only charges a nominal paperwork fee.

[Noto]

Ok, thanks for the info I will read over the link shortly.
If you don't know and don't get it tested what are the consequences?
Fines?

[TomM]

A: What are you building and is it for commercial sale?

2: If it's not for sale and you're the prime user, no one will know unless there are direct complaints to the FCC about you causing interference.

III: If it IS for sale, something in kit form has some loopholes to the rule. The end user would be responsible for it. Sometimes.

[jeffs555]

2: If it's not for sale and you're the prime user, no one will know unless there are direct complaints to the FCC about you causing interference.

III: If it IS for sale, something in kit form has some loopholes to the rule. The end user would be responsible for it. Sometimes.

No problem for personal use. Section 15.25 says you can build up to 5 of any device for personal use and you do not have to do the compliance tests, just use good design principles.

As for selling a kit, the requirements seem to me to be just as stringent and maybe even more so than for selling a competed device. You still have to have it tested just like a completed device, but it has to be designed so that the kit when built to instructions will meet all the test requirements. (section 15.25)


For violations there are fines, and they can be quite high. The base fine is $7000 and can go sky high if the violation continues and is agregeous. Here is a recent write up by one law firm about the requirements and enforcement.
http://www.pillsburylaw.com/content/portal/publications/2008/6/200862085110359/FCC%20Regulations%20Overview%20Part%2015%20Devices %20June%202008%2006-17-08.pdf