As an electronics manufacturer or importer, staying compliant with regulatory standards is a key part of gaining and maintaining market access. 

Among these standards, radiated emissions testing is one of several important processes that’s needed for achieving compliance. This common form of testing involves measuring the strength of the electromagnetic field that’s generated by your product.

As specialists in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, we’ve helped many manufacturers test their device and achieve compliance with EMC regulations, including FCC Part 15 in the US and similar regulations in the EU and other markets.

To request a quote for radiated emissions testing, or ask a question about the process, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.

You can also continue reading below to learn more about what radiated emissions testing is, as well as why it’s such a critical step in the EMC testing and regulatory compliance process. 

What is Radiated Emissions Testing?

Radiated emissions testing is a process that’s used to measure the electromagnetic emissions that are produced by an electronic device. It’s one of several important tests carried out as part of EMC testing for electrical devices, including compliance testing for FCC regulations.

Testing for radiated emissions is crucial, because every electronic device, whether it’s a simple household appliance or a complex industrial machine, naturally emits some level of radiation as it operates. This radiation can potentially interfere with other devices.

The purpose of radiated emissions testing is to ensure that the level of electromagnetic energy emitted from a device doesn’t exceed limits imposed by regulatory bodies, such as the FCC. 

Testing for radiated emissions typically involves placing a device in a controlled environment in an anechoic chamber. This is a chamber designed to absorb reflections of the electromagnetic waves produced by the device. 

Equipment such as spectrum analyzers and antennas are used to measure the emissions from the device across a range of frequencies. This data is used to verify that the device operates in a way that doesn’t cause interference with other electronic equipment, and that it complies with EMC requirements within its target market.

Importance of Radiated Emissions Testing

Radiated emissions testing is important for several reasons, from regulatory compliance to your product’s quality and reliability.

Prevents Interference

One of the most important reasons for conducting radiated emissions testing is to ensure that your device won’t interfere with other electronic devices.

Excessive electromagnetic emissions can disrupt the normal functioning of other devices near your device. This can potentially cause data loss, device malfunctions, or inaccurate readings from certain devices. In some settings, these issues may lead to safety risks.

Compliance With Regulations

All major countries and regions, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and others, have regulations governing electromagnetic emissions. 

In the United States, these regulations are set by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. Failing to comply with electromagnetic compatibility regulations can potentially result in a product recall, financial penalty, or ban of your product from the market.

Market Access

In many markets, compliance with radiated emissions standards is a prerequisite for marketing your device. This means that you’ll need to ensure your device is compliant with relevant EMC standards, including radiated emissions, to market it internationally. 

Product Quality and Reliability

Radiated emissions testing is one of several tests that can play a role in improving your device’s overall quality and reliability. It helps to identify and fix potential issues that produce interference with other devices, leading to a better experience for end users of your device.

Brand Reputation

Because of its impact on reliability and product usability, radiated emissions testing can provide brand value. End users of your products can identify them as reliable, trustworthy devices that are unlikely to cause issues when used near other electronic equipment. 

Regulatory compliance markings related to EMC compliance, such as the FCC Mark in the US and the CE Mark in Europe, are also signals of your brand and product’s reliability.

This is important in a competitive market in which consumers have lots of choice and are aware of product standards and compliance. 

Radiated Emissions Testing & FCC Part 15

In the United States, the FCC’s Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of Regulations (usually referred to as FCC Part 15) plays a key role in governing radiated emissions.

This regulation is particularly important for electronics manufactures, as it sets emissions limits for unintentional radiators — devices that emit radiofrequency energy during their operation, but are not intended to radiate such energy intentionally. 

FCC Part 15 covers a broad range of devices, from personal computers and consumer devices to industrial, scientific and medical equipment. Compliance with Part 15 is mandatory if you plan to sell your device in the United States market.

Radiated emissions testing is one of several tests your device will need to complete in order to comply with the FCC’s Part 15 rules. 

This process involves testing your device in a lab accredited by FCC to verify that its emissions are within the permissible levels. If your device complies with the FCC Part 15 standards, it will gain the FCC mark and is legally compliant to go on sale in the United States.

As specialists in electronics testing and regulatory compliance, we regularly perform FCC Part 15 testing, including radiated emissions testing. Contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287 to request a free quote for testing your device and achieving compliance.

Contact Us About Radiated Emissions Testing

Achieving compliance with emissions standards, whether it’s FCC Part 15 of the EMC Directive in the European Union, is a key step towards bringing your electronic device onto the market.

Our team can help you with all aspects of EMC testing and compliance, from emissions testing for your device to a wide range of other tests to ensure you comply with any relevant standards and can legally sell your device in your target markets. 

For more information, to request a quote for your device, or to ask our engineering team your questions, contact us now or call us at 866-540-5287.