ARRL hopes 'Consent Decree' will
reduce interference complaints
The FCC has agreed to terminate enforcement action against an importer
and marketer of heated mattress pads and blankets - and associated external
switching power supplies - in exchange for the company's signature on a
Consent Decree.
The case involved numerous interference complaints from
Amateur Radio operators and others related to consumer products marketed
by Perfect Fit Industries (PFI) of Charlotte, North Carolina.
"The Enforcement Bureau and PFI have negotiated the terms of a Consent
Decree that would resolve this matter and terminate the investigation,"
the FCC announced in releasing an Order in the proceeding February 10.
The Order
includes a copy of the Consent Decree. PFI also will make a "voluntary
contribution" of $7000 to the US treasury.
ARRL Laboratory Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer Mike Gruber, W1MG,
said the League has been receiving an increasing number of reports from
radio amateurs about interference from modern switching-type power supplies.
Ironically, one complaint came from Gruber's boss - ARRL Lab Manager Ed
Hare, W1RFI, whose wife had purchased one of the blankets. Hare says a
further irony involves the FCC's reaction in this case to an apparent
Part 15 emissions violation.
"It's paradoxical that an electric blanket marketer is getting this
level of FCC attention for a conducted emission that's less than 1 percent
of the power level BPL manufacturers have told the FCC they use in their
installations," he commented.
The ARRL Lab examined one of the offending blankets, which emitted a
ticking sound even while turned off but still plugged into the ac outlet.
Gruber noted that many products of this type appear to be made overseas
and do not carry the required labeling described in Part 15 of the FCC's
rules. Owing to negligence or ignorance of the FCC requirements for conducted
and radiated emissions limits, he says, some of these devices may operate
at levels significantly higher than the rules permit.
"We hope this case will serve as a reminder to other manufacturers
that their switching supplies need to be tested for compliance with the
rules and carry the proper labeling as required by Part 15," Gruber
said. But, he added, FCC's Part 15 limits are not a cure-all for interference - an
assertion borne out in other cases involving interference from unlicensed
devices such as broadband over power line (BPL) interference or common
power line noise.
"On the contrary, the limits are set high enough that interference - as
was seen in cases involving these products - is likely," he pointed
out. "Part 15 requires that operators of unlicensed devices that
cause harmful interference must take whatever steps are necessary to correct
the interference or cease operation whenever interference occurs."
As part of the Consent Decree, PFI will put into place an FCC "Regulatory
Compliance Plan" with an eye toward ensuring future compliance. Among
other things, the company will have to designate a compliance officer
to
administer the plan. PFI further agreed to replace free of charge any
noncompliant mattress pad or heated blanket with a compliant product upon
receipt of an interference complaint.
In addition, PFI will agree that its electric mattress pads and blankets
and associated external switching power supplies will comply with FCC
Part 2 and Part 15 rules before they're imported and marketed. The Consent
Decree is
good for three years.
Signing the Consent Decree for the FCC was Enforcement Bureau Chief David
H. Solomon. PFI President and CEO Louis R. Morris signed on the company's
behalf.
Sound recordings of the electric blanket and mattress pad RFI are available
on the RF
Noise Identification Web site
operated by VE3HLS.
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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