FCC Part 15

All electronics device manufacturers need to familiarize themselves with the FCC Part 15 and its requirements. Notably, if you are working with any device that operates at 9 kHz or higher, you are working with a Part 15 device regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the FCC Part 15 regulations.

Compliance Testing will guide you through the entire FCC Part 15 testing process to ensure you quickly and efficiently meet the current FCC regulations and access the market faster. We will show you how FCC conducts their testing and duplicate their test techniques in our state-of-the-art labs. Additionally, our staff keeps up to speed with current regulations and will be at hand to help with all the new paperwork and labeling requirements.

What Is a Part 15 Device?

A Part 15 device is anything falling under the 47 CFR § 15.3(k). These are unlicensed devices that must comply with regulations to prevent their frequencies from interfering with other devices. There are myriads of devices falling under part 15 regulations, each with its own relevant guidelines to adhere to.

Failure to comply with FCC part 15 regulations can result in a severe impact on any person or entity associated with your product, including engineers, distributors, retailers, and even your customers. The immediate steps that the FCC takes against non-complying products include the issuance of fines to the offending manufacturer and stopping all distribution of the product.

At Compliance Testing, we feature modern, well-equipped testing labs, cutting-edge technologies, and a highly experienced testing team that guarantee efficient and comprehensive testing for your product to reach the market sooner. We will work with you from the design stage and guide you through essential steps to avoid potential FCC Part 15 and EMC non-compliances.

Where possible, we will also recommend low-cost, easily implemented product design alternatives to ensure you complete your product within the stipulated timeframe and reach the market quickly.

What Are the Types of Part 15 Devices?

There are two types of Part 15 devices: Class A and Class B.

• Class A devices: Class A devices are designed for industrial and commercial usages. These devices are usually sensitive as they produce a higher EMI activity. Equipment under this category is better insulated against radiofrequency radiation and electromagnetic interferences than Class B devices. Class A devices, therefore, have less strenuous requirements than Class B.
• Class B devices: Class B devices are designed for consumer or residential use. Consumer electronics are typically low-powered and are not as vigorously used as Class B devices. They, therefore, attract more stringent requirements relating to internal protection and EMI tolerance. FCC requires all Class B devices designed for residential use must have lower radiation levels to prevent them from causing harmful disruptions or annoyance to the owner of devices.

What Are the Part 15 Radiation Types?

FCC Part 15 devices must be subjected to a range of radiation tests that make up Part 15 regulations. These include intentional radiation, unintentional radiation, and incidental radiation. Notably, although not all devices produce intentional radiation, any electronic device creates unintentional and EMI radiation.

Intentional radiation

The FCC defines intentional radiators as any electronic device that deliberately uses radio waves / RF to communicate or connect to other devices. Common examples of intentional radiators include wireless microphones, cell phones, remote controls, cell phones, garage door openers, and a range of IoT sensors designed for home use.

At Compliance Testing, we provide comprehension high-quality FCC testing for all classes of intentional radiators. If you are working with a device that requires FCC certifications, contact us today.

Unintentional radiation

The 47 CFR § 15.3 defines unintentional radiators as any device that “intentionally generates radio frequency energy for use within the device, or that sends radio frequency signals by conduction to associated equipment via connected wiring, but which is not intended to emit RF energy by radiation or induction.” Typical examples of devices falling under this category include computers and similar devices.

Incidental radiators

These are mechanical devices that produce some amount of incidental radiation. Such devices include mechanical light switches, DC motors, and power lines. FCC Part 15 regulations require that manufacturers use excellent engineering to ensure the devices don’t cause harmful interference to radio services. In most cases, incidental radiators are end components that have to be integrated into a final product.

As part of the FCC Part 15 testing, Compliance Testing, we will help you demonstrate that your product can be successfully integrated into an end product in a manner that won’t cause any radio frequency emissions.

What Is Required for FCC Part 15 Testing?

FCC Part 15C Testing requires the following:

• All FCC certification testing should be conducted by an accredited laboratory such as Compliance Testing. Failure to comply with these requirements results in automatic rejections of the results by the FCC.
• If you are a new applicant, you must apply for a Grantee Code. This Code is part of your final FCC ID, a unique identifier required on each end device.
• A chamber testing must be performed for radiated and conducted emissions. Additionally, you have to run the product’s radio in a particular pattern to show wireless compliance.
• You also need to provide some specific disclosures and warnings in your product manual. This information helps assure users that the device meets the FCC’s certification requirements and it is safe to use.
• Devices designed to be worn on the body may have to undergo Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing. This testing typically measures the intentional emissions of the device to guarantee its RF exposure characteristics don’t cause any harm to the body.

How Compliance Testing Assist with Your FCC Part 15 Testing

At Compliance Testing, we have well-equipped and accredited laboratories for conducting testing that meets international requirements. Our experts are ready to walk through every step with you, from the product design and development stage to the filing and certification stage. We are experts in SDoC EMC testing and boast experienced in the updated testing requirements the FCC requirements.

Our experts also have an in-depth understanding of all the requirements of leading regulatory bodies and governments across the planet to ensure exceptional product testing, compliance, and certifications. Whether you are bringing intentional or unintentional devices to the market, we are ready to guide your Part 15 testing needed to market your product. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our testing solutions.