Today we’re talking about what you need to know about FCC digital sign compliance. Nearly everything in the world is regulated to some extent, and digital signs are no exception. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates digital signs in several ways, and it’s imperative to remain in compliance with these rules. If you don’t, you might end up having your sign shut down or even confiscated. That adds up to lost revenue that no one can afford.
In this article, we will go over the basics of FCC digital sign compliance. There is no need to memorize the full legal code; remembering a few simple rules should cover the matter.
Signs Produce Electromagnetic Interference
All electronic devices produce a certain amount of electromagnetic interference. Because the use of electricity is related to the earth’s magnetic field, there is no way to remove this problem entirely. For most electronic devices, the amount of interference is small. The range of the interference will be so limited that it won’t pose any real risk.
However, large electronic devices can be another story. These produce a much higher level of interference and can inhibit the function of other electronic devices within range. What causes this interference? The answer is radio waves. Believe it or not, most electronic devices emit radio waves to some extent.
Because of this problem, the FCC has created rules that limit the size and power of specific devices. It is especially important that you need to know about FCC digital sign compliance in order to regulate those located in crowded city centers. In these areas, there is much more of a chance that RF interference will cause a problem.
Do All Products Comply With FCC Rules?
There are, unfortunately, many products on the market which fail to comply with the regulations. These regulations are not enforced that strongly, and that is why many companies will choose to roll the dice. The problem is most pronounced in companies outside the United States. Since they are not under the jurisdiction of U.S. law, they may not feel any obligation to obey those FCC rules.
This can create a terrible situation for a business owner. Let’s say you go out and buy the biggest, fanciest, and most well-lit sign you can find. It probably won’t be cheap, and all that money is likely to be wasted. The FCC does not generally go around conducting checks, but they will react quickly to a problem of this sort. Not only will you have to take down that huge sign, but you will also likely have to pay some fines. That’s a case of losing money on two fronts at once and is definitely not what anyone wants.
What Does The Law Say?
When we refer to these FCC regulations, we should note that these regulations carry the force of law. If you want to read the specifics, you can look in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). You can find the relevant rules in title 47, part 15. When looking in a search engine, just type “47 CFR 15.”
The law covers both intentional and unintentional sources of RF interference, including computers and cell phones. To maintain compliance with the law, you might want to consult this set of tables. They will tell you just how much interference (also called impedance) your device will cause. The numbers are measured in Ohms, so make sure that you find this crucial information before purchasing a large digital sign!
Unfortunately, what you need to know about FCC digital sign compliance law is somewhat complicated when it comes to frequencies. All electromagnetic energy has a specific frequency, which is what allows you to tune from one radio station to another. When you change stations, you are just changing frequencies. When you look at the specs for your new digital sign, you need to make sure that the frequency information is presented to you. The regulations will change depending on which frequency range your device operates.
The relative power level of a device is also quite important. For most electronic devices, their electricity usage is calculated in watts or volts, so this information isn’t too hard to find. Most electronic devices will have these numbers printed somewhere on their underside. Sometimes, even an approved device can become illegal if its power is considered to be too high. For instance, consider this case. A CB radio operator incurred a fine of $15,000 because he modified his home CB with an amplifier. There is a four-watt limit for radios of this type, and his CB was putting out about 750!
One of the biggest problems is the relative lack of accountability in this field. While the FCC does require companies to test their products for EMI compliance and general safety, no law requires them to report violations of these standards. Thus, everything is running on an “honor system.” Of course, companies can be prosecuted for failing to meet standards, but these companies are often trusted to police themselves. As you might imagine, this creates an opportunity for some people and companies to commit fraud. That’s why you should always maintain a sense of healthy skepticism.
How To Ensure Compliance
There are several steps that you can take to help ensure that you don’t get stuck with a considerable fine, like that poor CB radio operator mentioned above. It mostly comes down to two basic principles: Check out the product and check out the company. Let’s clarify our meaning here. You should always check out the specs on a given product, as that will tell you whether or not it falls within acceptable EMI ranges. You should look for electricity usage, frequency, and impedance numbers, as these are probably the most significant factors from a compliance perspective.
At the same time, you also need to check out the company from whom you are buying your digital sign. You should begin with a visit to this website. It is run by the FCC and meant to give consumers an easy-to-use database of compliance information. Using the tools provided here, you can do your homework on a particular company and see if they have a history of violations. Companies that have been repeatedly cited or fined are likely to be a poor choice, especially if they are located outside the United States.
For a large company, it is a good idea to get some expert advice on what you need to know about FCC digital sign compliance. You may have already noticed that these regulations are highly technical. That’s not good, because you need to have a thorough understanding of these rules to follow them. To solve this problem, you might want to consult a trusted IT professional or an attorney who specializes in these kinds of cases. They should be able to “fill in the gaps” by explaining any aspects of the law that you might not understand.
Before buying a digital sign from a given company, you should ask them whether or not their products have been tested and certified. Their answers might be very revealing. If they try to dodge the question, or if they give you a vague answer that you cannot verify, that is a big red flag. There are both national and international standards of testing in place, and all reputable companies follow them. These standards govern both electronic equipment and virtually all other consumer products.
What you are looking for is evidence of ISO testing. The International Organization for Standardization (better known as ISO) has laboratories all over the world, and it isn’t that hard to find one. They have worldwide accrediting programs that allow the various testing facilities to become certified, so there is no excuse for going with a substandard inspection.
Any company that doesn’t adhere to strict standards of quality control is likely to be selling substandard merchandise. It is also better to choose a company that has its products tested in the USA. While many countries have manufacturing standards and laws, you want to make sure that your product was approved by people who understand U.S. law in particular.
As a general rule, product reviews can also be quite helpful. By looking at the company’s record, you can get an idea of how they do business. Of course, business signs are not really consumer products, as most people do not need them. As such, it might be a little harder finding reviews, but you should take the extra trouble to find them anyway. It is essential that you find out if this company has a good track record or not. You can also check the Better Business Bureau for a general evaluation of the sign company.
Ways To Control EMI
Electromagnetic interference shouldn’t be a huge problem. There are many ways in which product manufacturers can deal with this issue, but they usually choose to use the minimum required by law. The three most common methods of dealing with EMI are filtering, grounding, and shielding.
Most electronic devices contain an EMI filter. As you might guess, this is just a component that collects electromagnetic energy and dissipates it more efficiently. Without these little filtering devices, the problem of EMI would be far worse. Once again, though, we run into a question of cost vs. effectiveness. Larger devices require a larger EMI filter, and companies are often motivated to use the smallest one possible.
Grounding is always an excellent way to control excess energy. However, it is not a perfect solution for EMI. In most cases, a grounded device will still emit a certain amount of EMI, although it is likely to be much lower than average. If you don’t understand the basic principle of electrical grounding, it’s not too hard. By connecting a device to the ground, you can allow it to disperse any excess energy.
Electrical frequencies will also play a role in whether or not your device should be grounded. Those that run on low-frequency currents may not require any grounding at all, as they are not producing enough of an electromagnetic field to interfere with anything else. Those based on the use of high frequencies, however, can be very problematic in the grounding department.
Shielding is probably the simplest method of protecting your devices from EMI issues. By enclosing the device in a metal casing of some kind (like a box), it is possible to reflect or absorb the excess electromagnetic energy that might otherwise cause problems. Most common metals (like steel, aluminum, copper, etc.) can be used as EMI shielding, but you could still run into trouble if the shielding isn’t thick enough. In addition, some shields can also reflect heat. That leads to overheating issues for the device in question. To solve this problem, researchers learned that a heat shield doesn’t always have to be a solid piece. Plates of a metallic mesh can do just as good a job with less risk of overheating.
Conclusion
We have tried to simplify the details, but it is a complex subject. We recommend that you review this article and the links we have given so you have a clear understanding on what you need to know about FCC digital sign compliance. In this way, you can come to a better understanding of how EMI works, how the law governs it, and what you can do to mitigate the problem. In a world full of electronic devices, EMI is a regular everyday hazard, but there is no reason to let it get you down. If you just make sure to buy your digital signs from trustworthy companies, you should have no problems. Of course, finding a reliable company with which to do business can be a chore in itself. Still, we are confident that you are up to the task. If you would like to learn more, please fill out the contact form below to be kept updated.