Fcc Part 18 Rf Lighting Devices

Laboratory division home approval guide overview radio frequency rf devices are required to be properly authorized under 47 cfr part 2 prior to being marketed or imported into the united states.

Fcc part 18 rf lighting devices.

Rf led lighting devices are classified as unintentional radiators and are therefore are subject to the fcc s part 15 rules. A revised draft was released on october 22 2015 which now limits its coverage to led lighting. Draft document 640677 d01 rf lighting v01 was initially circulated for comments august 27 2014. Ranging from lighting and motors to televisions and medical equipment most electronics using digital logic i e.

For this reason the commission classifies an electronic ballast as an ism device. Examples of these types of devices include ballasts for fluorescent lamps and self ballasted lamps powered from an rf source. Lighting devices that power the bulb tube etc. Heat light etc and where the operating frequency of the rf energy is defined as being above 9 khz.

The federal communications commission fcc published guidelines that clarify how fcc rules apply to radio frequency rf light emitting diode led lighting products. It covered part 15 and part 18 rf lighting devices including led lighting devices. Circuit boards for processing which inherently produces a radio signal are covered under part 15. Incandescent lamps are not considered rf devices.

Newer electronic ballasts which along with cfl bulbs operate under part 18 as rf lighting devices in this case the fcc considers these devices to be converting rf energy above 9 khz directly into light i e another form of energy. Using an rf signal that is applied to a gas inside a lamp are authorized under part 18. October 21 23 2014 tcb workshop 8. The office of engineering and technology oet administers the equipment authorization program under the authority delegated to it by the commission.

Also led lamps powered by internal direct current. Fcc part 18 interference free. 2 other lighting devices such as fluorescent lighting devices and led retro fit tubes intended to replace linear fluorescent tubes operated by rf ballasts are subject to compliance with part 18 and are not addressed in this guidance document. There is a fine line in determining when to apply part 15 or part 18 rules.

Legacy lighting products such as incandescent fluorescent high intensity discharge hid or part 18 rf ballasts cfl s large led digital displays used for visual or advertisement purposes considered digital peripheral devices under part 15. Part 18 takes it a step further.