Post by thread:[EE] FCC cert low cost RF modules

client wants wireless...doesnt like the prices for certified modules...$10 and up. Has anyone seen anything lower cost in smallish quantities? I looked at some of ths stuff Sparkfun sells...Laipac modules...sub $4 range. Nothing on either Sparkfun or Laipac come out and say...you need to certify the product if you use these. Now I "assume" that even tho they are in the ISM band, and low power, if my client decides to use this in the product, he really should get FCC testing done on them and certify his product...at the tune of 2K-3K tho. Else he spends $10 on a cerified device. Am I correct on this?

> -----Original Message----- > From: spam_OUTpiclist-bouncesTakeThisOuTmit.edu On Behalf Of alan smith > Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 10:30 PM > > client wants wireless...doesnt like the prices for certified > modules...$10 and up. Has anyone seen anything lower cost in > smallish quantities? > > I looked at some of ths stuff Sparkfun sells...Laipac > modules...sub $4 range. Nothing on either Sparkfun or Laipac > come out and say...you need to certify the product if you use > these. Now I "assume" that even tho they are in the ISM band, > and low power, if my client decides to use this in the product, > he really should get FCC testing done on them and certify his > product...at the tune of 2K-3K tho. Else he spends $10 on a > cerified device. > > Am I correct on this? Yes, they are intentional transmitters so they need an FCC ID on them to avoid potential fines of around $10K. Paul Hutch

> > Yes, they are intentional transmitters so they need an FCC ID on them to > avoid potential fines of around $10K. > > Paul Hutch I agree. See subpart C for intentional radiators at http://www.hallikainen.com/FccRules/2009/15/ . Also, at the bottom of each rule section is CiteFind, where you can FCC website documents that cite that rule, such as violation notices they've sent. Harold -- FCC Rules Updated Daily at http://www.hallikainen.com - Advertising opportunities available!

alan smith wrote: > client wants wireless...doesnt like the prices for certified modules...$10 > and up. Has anyone seen anything lower cost in smallish quantities? > > I looked at some of ths stuff Sparkfun sells...Laipac modules...sub $4 > range. Nothing on either Sparkfun or Laipac come out and say...you need > to certify the product if you use these. Now I "assume" that even tho > they are in the ISM band, and low power, if my client decides to use this > in the product, he really should get FCC testing done on them and certify > his product...at the tune of 2K-3K tho. Else he spends $10 on a cerified > device. > > Am I correct on this? Does it really only cost $2k to get a device FCC certified? Maybe I'm thinking about CE? Vitaliy

On Mon, 6 Apr 2009 10:27:42 -0700, Vitaliy wrote: > alan smith wrote: >> client wants wireless...doesnt like the prices for certified >> modules...$10 and up. Has anyone seen anything lower cost in smallish >> quantities? >> >> I looked at some of ths stuff Sparkfun sells...Laipac modules...sub $4 >> range. Nothing on either Sparkfun or Laipac come out and say...you >> need to certify the product if you use these. Now I "assume" that even >> tho they are in the ISM band, and low power, if my client decides to >> use this in the product, he really should get FCC testing done on them >> and certify his product...at the tune of 2K-3K tho. Else he spends $10 >> on a cerified device. >> >> Am I correct on this? >> > > Does it really only cost $2k to get a device FCC certified? Maybe I'm > thinking about CE? I was thinking the same thing. Around here most of the quotes I've gotten have been in the $8-10K range. Matt Pobursky Maximum Performance Systems

John Day wrote: > FCC and whatever European EMC/EMI/RFI testing is always more > expensive, and $2-3k for something small is a reasonable place to start. Maybe for a unintentional radiator, but for a intentional radiator $3K is unrealistically low, at least for FCC testing around here. ******************************************************************** Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products (978) 742-9014. Gold level PIC consultants since 2000.

On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:27 PM, Vitaliy <.....spamKILLspam@spam@maksimov.org> wrote: > Does it really only cost $2k to get a device FCC certified? Maybe I'm > thinking about CE? Ballpark figures I use: FCC cert (Non intentional radiator) $2k FCC cert (Intentional radiator) $8k UL/safety (battery powered, doesn't connect to AC or anything else such as a charger or computer) $1k UL/safety (AC powered, or attaches to AC powered device) $2k EU/CE certifications are similar. Most places will do both at the same time for $1-2k more. So FCC/UL/CE certification with an intentional radiator that plugs in to AC line is about $11-12k. This testing is thorough enough you can probably also sell to Canada with no extra cost - once you get to the $10k+ range, many certification companies will certify for a range of countries beyond the usual US/EU/Canada for little more cost - $100 per report for a few reports per country. FCC/UL testing for a battery powered device that does not intentionally radiate is about $3k, but can only be used/sold in the US. That's assuming it passes the first time (ie, you've already performed pre-testing, and are certain they will not find problems. Otherwise, lather, rinse, repeat, $$$) Also, it's been a few years since I last updated my mental model, so the prices may be slightly higher now. -Adam

OK...I *was* thinking of Non intentional radiator, my mistake. And that was in the 2K-3K range. So we sorta deviated from the real question, but I am pretty sure the answer is...yes. If you use one of these inexpensive RF transmitters, such at http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8945 in a product, not just a hobby thing, its mandatory to get the "product" certified, else run the risk of fines, etc. --- On Tue, 4/7/09, M. Adam Davis <stienmanKILLspamgmail.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> From: M. Adam Davis <.....stienmanKILLspam.....gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [EE] FCC cert low cost RF modules > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <EraseMEpiclistspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmit.edu> > Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 7:48 AM > On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:27 PM, Vitaliy > <spamspam_OUTmaksimov.org> wrote: > > Does it really only cost $2k to get a device FCC > certified? Maybe I'm > > thinking about CE? > > Ballpark figures I use: > > FCC cert (Non intentional radiator) $2k > FCC cert (Intentional radiator) $8k > > UL/safety (battery powered, doesn't connect to AC or > anything else > such as a charger or computer) $1k > UL/safety (AC powered, or attaches to AC powered device) > $2k > > EU/CE certifications are similar. > > Most places will do both at the same time for $1-2k more. > > So FCC/UL/CE certification with an intentional radiator > that plugs in > to AC line is about $11-12k. This testing is thorough > enough you can > probably also sell to Canada with no extra cost - once you > get to the > $10k+ range, many certification companies will certify for > a range of > countries beyond the usual US/EU/Canada for little more > cost - $100 > per report for a few reports per country. > > FCC/UL testing for a battery powered device that does not > intentionally radiate is about $3k, but can only be > used/sold in the > US. > > That's assuming it passes the first time (ie, > you've already performed > pre-testing, and are certain they will not find problems. > Otherwise, > lather, rinse, repeat, $$$) > > Also, it's been a few years since I last updated my > mental model, so > the prices may be slightly higher now. > > -Adam > --

You'll find a reasonable price from Sid at Timco Eng Inc 1-888-472-2424 FCC CERT TESTING PO Box 370 849 SR 45 Newberry, FL 32669 1-352-472-2030 fax Sid Sanders His outfit is very reputable. He was originally in the Miami area, but one of the hurricanes ran him out, so he is near Tampa now. His test environment is VERY quiet. --Bob A On 4/6/09, Olin Lathrop <@spam@olin_piclistKILLspamembedinc.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> John Day wrote: >> FCC and whatever European EMC/EMI/RFI testing is always more >> expensive, and $2-3k for something small is a reasonable place to start. > > Maybe for a unintentional radiator, but for a intentional radiator $3K is > unrealistically low, at least for FCC testing around here. > > > ******************************************************************** > Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products > (978) 742-9014. Gold level PIC consultants since 2000. > -