FCC certification on boards, etc?

[picdude777]

Looking at starting a small kitbiz, dealing with Arduino compatible and other robotics boards (motor drivers, etc.)

Does FCC certification ever come into play with MCU and other electronic project boards (never "finished" products pre-se)? If not, does anyone have the specific clause the FCC documentation that allows such exemptions?


Thanks.

[adafruit]

Looking at starting a small kitbiz, dealing with Arduino compatible and other robotics boards (motor drivers, etc.)
Does FCC certification ever come into play with MCU and other electronic project boards (never "finished" products pre-se)? If not, does anyone have the specific clause the FCC documentation that allows such exemptions?
Thanks.

we recall a previous discussion on the arduino forums, since your other posts says you make arduino-compatibles this might be a good thread to check out:

http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 1289227545

please do not ask for specific fcc/legal advice here!

thanks,
adafruit

[picdude777]

Weel, let's be a bit more specific...

Are any of the Adafruit-designed MCU boards (BoArduino, etc.) FCC certified? Even the USBtiny would theoretically be considered a stand-alone "computer peripheral", so how does that work?

I've done a lot of searching, and it's hard to find any kind of definitive answer. There's lots of talk about "hobby" uses, and "kits", but I have yet to see any actual FCC guidelines allowing specific exemptions.

I'm guessing that it's simply a case of comparatively low volume, with the regulatory body simply not having the resources to prosecute relatively insignificant infractions.


Comments?

[adafruit]

I've done a lot of searching, and it's hard to find any kind of definitive answer. There's lots of talk about "hobby" uses, and "kits", but I have yet to see any actual FCC guidelines allowing specific exemptions. I'm guessing that it's simply a case of comparatively low volume, with the regulatory body simply not having the resources to prosecute relatively insignificant infractions. Comments?

good question, but this one of the few topics in the kit biz topic area we have a policy on where we can't assist, sorry! please be sure to read the topic rule(s) at the top of the page and the forum listing "Get help, and assist others in with open source kits and running a business! Do not ask for legal advice or for consulting services in this forum, only general biz questions!"... in your other post you indicated your are dead-set against open-source hardware. we're not sure why you're posting here

it is hard to find specific answers you require because this is involves legal/insurance/engineering and a lot of very specific things. you'll hear "it depends".. the most from any expert.

you'll need to study/work with someone that can accurate interpret giant documents like this:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... tab_02.tpl

when people spend the time and effort to research this for their own products you usually do not know or hear about it for various legal, liability and common sense reasons. we're happy to share almost everything we can about our business but - tax stuff, insurance stuff and legal stuff (like this) are ones we do not. we're sure that's understandable!

we believe the products you mentioned, boarduino and usbtiny are in fcc compliance/exemption, etc, but again - we cannot advise on specific fcc exemption or compliance - they're out there, they do exist - but you'll need to research or work with an expert. it's a time consuming process for sure. we spent significant time, effort and resources for our specific needs, but you're unlikely to find anyone willing to give you specific advice in a public/online forum, it would basically be legal advice. we were always told to avoid that by the folks we work with on these matters.

however, since you mentioned sparkfun a few times in your other posts, they have threads on the sparkfun forums where they explain what they do for their fcc compliance and it sounds like it's closer to what you may be doing or asking - like the arduino thread you might want to check that out and ask there as well. they also seem to have some people who are willing to dispense a lot of advice on this subject:

http://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php ... fcc#p98553
http://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?t=1276
http://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?t=20227

you might want to consider working with an expert in your area if this is a major concern about your specific product. there are testings, certifications and exemptions for a variety of types of devices - you'll need to spend the time, money and effort on getting consultation for this or work with someone who can assist you. anyone will tell you that you need to consult with an expert on this.

we'll keep this thread open for a bit but we'll lock it down later.

thanks,
adafruit