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   Home Page > Executive Branch > Code of Federal Regulations > Electronic Code
   of Federal Regulations

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                e-CFR Data is current as of October 1, 2007

   Title 47: Telecommunication

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PART 18—INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
   ___________________________________

   Section Contents
   
                       Subpart A—General Information

   § 18.101   Basis and purpose.
   § 18.107   Definitions.
   § 18.109   General technical requirements.
   § 18.111   General operating conditions.
   § 18.113   Inspection by Commission representatives.
   § 18.115   Elimination and investigation of harmful interference.
   § 18.117   Report of interference investigation.
   § 18.121   Exemptions.
   § 18.123   Transition provisions for compliance with the rules.
   
                 Subpart B—Applications and Authorizations

   § 18.201   Scope.
   § 18.203   Equipment authorization.
   § 18.207   Technical report.
   § 18.209   Identification of authorized equipment.
   § 18.211   Multiple listing of equipment.
   § 18.212   Compliance information.
   § 18.213   Information to the user.
   
                       Subpart C—Technical Standards

   § 18.301   Operating frequencies.
   § 18.303   Prohibited frequency bands.
   § 18.305   Field strength limits.
   § 18.307   Conduction limits.
   § 18.309   Frequency range of measurements.
   § 18.311   Methods of measurements.
   ___________________________________

   Authority:   47 U.S.C. 4, 301, 302, 303, 304, 307.

   Source:    50 FR 36067 , Sept. 5, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—General Information

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§ 18.101   Basis and purpose.

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   The rules in this part, in accordance with the applicable treaties and
   agreements to which the United States is a party, are promulgated pursuant
   to section 302 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, vesting the
   Federal Communications Commission with authority to regulate industrial,
   scientific, and medical equipment (ISM) that emits electromagnetic energy on
   frequencies within the radio frequency spectrum in order to prevent harmful
   interference to authorized radio communication services. This part sets
   forth the conditions under which the equipment in question may be operated.

§ 18.107   Definitions.

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   (a) Radio frequency (RF) energy. Electromagnetic energy at any frequency in
   the radio spectrum from 9 kHz to 3 THz (3,000 GHz).

   (b) Harmful interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a
   radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades,
   obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in
   accordance with this chapter.

   (c)  Industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment. Equipment or
   appliances designed to generate and use locally RF energy for industrial,
   scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in
   the field of telecommunication. Typical ISM applications are the production
   of physical, biological, or chemical effects such as heating, ionization of
   gases, mechanical vibrations, hair removal and acceleration of charged
   particles.

   (d) Industrial heating equipment. A category of ISM equipment used for or in
   connection with industrial heating operations utilized in a manufacturing or
   production process.

   (e)  Medical diathermy equipment. A category of ISM equipment used for
   therapeutic purposes, not including surgical diathermy apparatus designed
   for intermittent operation with low power.

   (f) Ultrasonic equipment. A category of ISM equipment in which the RF energy
   is  used  to  excite  or drive an electromechanical transducer for the
   production  of  sonic  or ultrasonic mechanical energy for industrial,
   scientific, medical or other noncommunication purposes.

   (g) Consumer ISM equipment. A category of ISM equipment used or intended to
   be used by the general public in a residential environment, notwithstanding
   use in other areas. Examples are domestic microwave ovens, jewelry cleaners
   for home use, ultrasonic humidifiers.

   (h) ISM frequency. A frequency assigned by this part for the use of ISM
   equipment. A specified tolerance is associated with each ISM frequency. See
   §18.301.

   (i) Marketing. As used in this part, marketing shall include sale or lease,
   offer  for sale or lease, advertising for sale or lease, the import or
   shipment or other distribution for the purpose of sale or lease or offer for
   sale or lease. See subpart I of part 2 of this chapter.

   (j) Magnetic resonance equipment. A category of ISM equipment in which RF
   energy is used to create images and data representing spatially resolved
   density of transient atomic resources within an object.

   Note: In the foregoing, sale (or lease) shall mean sale (or lease) to the
   user or a vendor who in turn sells (or leases) to the user. Sale shall not
   be construed to apply to devices sold to a second party for manufacture or
   fabrication into a device which is subsequently sold (or leased) to the
   user.

   [ 50 FR 36067 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  59 FR 39472 , Aug. 3, 1994]

§ 18.109   General technical requirements.

   top

   ISM equipment shall be designed and constructed in accordance with good
   engineering practice with sufficient shielding and filtering to provide
   adequate suppression of emissions on frequencies outside the frequency bands
   specified in §18.301.

§ 18.111   General operating conditions.

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   (a) Persons operating ISM equipment shall not be deemed to have any vested
   or recognizable right to the continued use of any given frequency, by virtue
   of any prior equipment authorization and/or compliance with the applicable
   rules.

   (b) Subject to the exceptions in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section and
   irrespective of whether the equipment otherwise complies with the rules in
   this part, the operator of ISM equipment that causes harmful interference to
   any authorized radio service shall promptly take whatever steps may be
   necessary to eliminate the interference.

   (c) The provisions of paragraph (b) of this section shall not apply in the
   case of interference to an authorized radio station or a radiocommunication
   device operating in an ISM frequency band.

   (d) The provisions of paragraph (b) of this section shall not apply in the
   case  of  interference  to a receiver arising from direct intermediate
   frequency pickup by the receiver of the fundamental frequency emissions of
   ISM equipment operating in an ISM frequency band and otherwise complying
   with the requirements of this part.

§ 18.113   Inspection by Commission representatives.

   top

   Upon request by a representative of the Commission the manufacturer, owner,
   or operator of any ISM equipment shall make the equipment available for
   inspection and promptly furnish the Commission with such information as may
   be required to indicate that the equipment complies with this part.

§ 18.115   Elimination and investigation of harmful interference.

   top

   (a) The operator of ISM equipment that causes harmful interference to radio
   services shall promptly take appropriate measures to correct the problem.

   (b)  If  the operator of ISM equipment is notified by the Commission's
   Engineer in Charge (EIC) that operation of such equipment is endangering the
   functioning of a radionavigation or safety service, the operator shall
   immediately cease operating the equipment. Operation may be resumed on a
   temporary  basis  only  for  the  purpose  of  eliminating the harmful
   interference. Operation may be resumed on a regular basis only after the
   harmful interference has been eliminated and approval from the EIC obtained.

   (c) When notified by the EIC that a particular installation is causing
   harmful interference, the operator or manufacturer shall arrange for an
   engineer skilled in techniques of interference measurement and control to
   make an investigation to ensure that the harmful interference has been
   eliminated. The EIC may require the engineer making the investigation to
   furnish proof of his or her qualifications.

§ 18.117   Report of interference investigation.

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   (a)  An interim report on investigations and corrective measures taken
   pursuant to §18.115 of this part shall be filed with the EIC of the local
   FCC office within 30 days of notification of harmful interference. The final
   report shall be filed with the EIC within 60 days of notification.

   (b) The date for filing the final report may be extended by the Engineer in
   Charge when additional time is required to put into effect the corrective
   measures or to complete the investigation. The request for extension of time
   shall be accompanied by a progress report showing what has been accomplished
   to date.

§ 18.121   Exemptions.

   top

   Non-consumer ultrasonic equipment, and non-consumer magnetic resonance
   equipment, that is used for medical diagnostic and monitoring applications
   is subject only to the provisions of §§18.105, 18.109 through 18.119, 18.301
   and 18.303 of this part.

   [ 59 FR 39472 , Aug. 3, 1994;  60 FR 47302 , Sept. 12, 1995]

§ 18.123   Transition provisions for compliance with the rules.

   top

   Consumer ISM devices, induction cooking ranges and ultrasonic equipment that
   are authorized under the certification, verification or declaration of
   conformity  procedures on or after July 12, 2004 shall comply with the
   conducted  limits  specified  in  §18.307.  All  such devices that are
   manufactured or imported on or after July 11, 2005 shall comply with the
   conducted limits specified in §18.307. Equipment authorized, imported or
   manufactured prior to these dates shall comply with the conducted limits
   specified  in §18.307 or with the conducted limits that were in effect
   immediately prior to September 9, 2002.

   [ 67 FR 45671 , July 10, 2002]

Subpart B—Applications and Authorizations

   top

§ 18.201   Scope.

   top

   This subpart contains the procedures and requirements for authorization to
   market or operate ISM equipment under this part.

§ 18.203   Equipment authorization.

   top

   (a) Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized
   under either the Declaration of Conformity or certification procedure prior
   to use or marketing. An application for certification shall be filed with
   the Commission on an FCC Form 731, pursuant to the relevant sections in part
   2, subpart J of this chapter and shall also be accompanied by:

   (1) A description of measurement facilities pursuant to §2.948, or reference
   to such information already on file with the Commission.

   (2) A technical report pursuant to §§18.207 and 18.311.

   (b)  Consumer  ultrasonic equipment generating less than 500 watts and
   operating below 90 kHz, and non-consumer ISM equipment shall be subject to
   verification, in accordance with the relevant sections of part 2, subpart J
   of this chapter.

   (c)  Grants  of  equipment  authorization  issued,  as well as on-site
   certifications performed, before March 1, 1986, remain in effect and no
   further action is required.

   [ 50 FR 36067 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  63 FR 36603  July 7, 1998]

§ 18.207   Technical report.

   top

   When required by the Commission a technical report shall include at least
   the following information:

   (a) A description of the measurement facilities in accordance with §2.948.
   If such a description is already on file with the Commission, it may be
   included by reference.

   (b) A copy of the installation and operating instructions furnished to the
   user.  A  draft  copy  of  such instructions may be submitted with the
   application, provided a copy of the actual document to be furnished to the
   user is submitted as soon as it is available, but no later than 60 days
   after the grant of the application.

   (c) The full name and mailing address of the manufacturer of the device
   and/or applicant filing for the equipment authorization.

   (d) The FCC Identifier, trade name(s), and/or model number(s) under which
   the equipment is or will be marketed.

   (e) A statement of the rated technical parameters that includes:

   (1) A block and schematic diagram of the circuitry.

   (2) Nominal operating frequency.

   (3) Maximum RF energy generated.

   (4) Electrical power requirements of equipment.

   (5) Any other pertinent operating characteristics.

   (f) A report of measurements, including a list of the measuring equipment
   used, and a statement of the date when the measuring equipment was last
   calibrated and when the measurements were made. The frequency range that was
   investigated in obtaining the report of measurements shall be indicated. See
   also §§18.309 and 18.311.

   [ 50 FR 36067 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  63 FR 36603 , July 7, 1998]

§ 18.209   Identification of authorized equipment.

   top

   (a) Each device for which a grant of equipment authorization is issued under
   this part shall be identified pursuant to the applicable provisions of
   subpart  J of part 2 of this chapter. Changes in the identification of
   authorized  equipment may be made pursuant to §2.933 of part 2 of this
   chapter. FCC Identifiers as described in §§2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter
   shall not be used on equipment subject to verification or Declaration of
   Conformity.

   (b) Devices authorized under the Declaration of Conformity procedure shall
   be labelled with the logo shown below. The label shall not be a stick-on,
   paper label. It shall be permanently affixed to the product and shall be
   readily visible to the purchaser at the time of purchase, as described in
   §2.925(d) of this chapter. Permanently affixed means that the label is
   etched, engraved, stamped, silkscreened, indelibly printed, or otherwise
   permanently marked on a permanently attached part of the equipment or on a
   nameplate of metal, plastic, or other material fastened to the equipment by
   welding, riveting, or a permanent adhesive. The label must be designed to
   last the expected lifetime of the equipment in the environment in which the
   equipment may be operated and must not be readily detachable. The logo
   follows:
   [er07jy98.027.gif]

   View or download PDF

   [ 63 FR 36603 , July 7, 1998]

§ 18.211   Multiple listing of equipment.

   top

   (a) When the same or essentially the same equipment will be marketed under
   more than one FCC Identifier, equipment authorization must be requested on
   an FCC Form 731 for each FCC Identifier.

   (b) If equipment authorization for additional FCC Identifiers is requested
   in the initial application, a statement shall be included describing how
   these additional devices differ from the basic device which was measured and
   stating that the report of measurements submitted for the basic device
   applies also to the additional devices.

   (c) If equipment authorization for additional FCC Identifiers is requested
   after  a  grant  has  been issued by the FCC for the basic device, the
   application may, in lieu of the report of measurements, be accompanied by a
   statement including:

   (1) FCC Identifier of device for which measurements are on file with the
   FCC.

   (2) Date when equipment authorization was granted for the device(s) listed
   under paragraph (c)(1) of this section and the file number of such grant.

   (3) Description of the difference between the device listed under paragraph
   (c)(1) of this section and the additional device(s).

   (4) A statement that the report of measurements filed for the device listed
   under  paragraph (c)(1) of this section applies also to the additional
   device(s).

   (5) Photographs pursuant to §2.1033(c).

§ 18.212   Compliance information.

   top

   (a) Equipment authorized under the Declaration of Conformity procedure shall
   include the following compliance information in lieu of the information
   required by §2.1077.

   (1) Identification of the product, e.g., name and model number.

   (2) A statement similar to the following:

   This device complies with Part 18 of the FCC Rules. 

   (3) The name and address of the responsible party as defined in §2.909 of
   the rules. This party must be located within the United States.

   (b) The compliance information may be placed in the instruction manual, on a
   separate sheet, or on the packaging. There is no specific format for this
   information.

   [ 63 FR 36603 , July 7, 1998]

§ 18.213   Information to the user.

   top

   Information on the following matters shall be provided to the user in the
   instruction manual or on the packaging if an instruction manual is not
   provided for any type of ISM equipment:

   (a) The interference potential of the device or system

   (b) Maintenance of the system

   (c) Simple measures that can be taken by the user to correct interference.

   (d) Manufacturers of RF lighting devices must provide an advisory statement,
   either on the product packaging or with other user documentation, similar to
   the following: This product may cause interference to radio equipment and
   should not be installed near maritime safety communications equipment or
   other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between
   0.45–30 MHz. Variations of this language are permitted provided all the
   points of the statement are addressed and may be presented in any legible
   font or text style.

   [ 50 FR 36069 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  51 FR 17970 , May 16, 1986;  64 FR 37419 , July 12, 1999]

Subpart C—Technical Standards

   top

§ 18.301   Operating frequencies.

   top

   ISM  equipment  may be operated on any frequency above 9 kHz except as
   indicated in §18.303. The following frequency bands, in accordance with
   §2.106 of the rules, are allocated for use by ISM equipment:
   ISM frequency Tolerance
   6.78 MHz      ±15.0 kHz
   13.56 MHz     ±7.0 kHz
   27.12 MHz     ±163.0 kHz
   40.68 MHz     ±20.0 kHz
   915 MHz       ±13.0 MHz
   2,450 MHz     ±50.0 MHz
   5,800 MHz     ±75.0 MHz
   24,125 MHz    ±125.0 MHz
   61.25 GHz     ±250.0 MHz
   122.50 GHz    ±500.0 MHz
   245.00 GHz    ±1.0 GHz

   Note: The use of the 6.78 MHz ±15 kHz frequency band is subject to the
   conditions of footnote 524 of the Table of Allocations. See §2.106.

§ 18.303   Prohibited frequency bands.

   top

   Operation of ISM equipment within the following safety, search and rescue
   frequency bands is prohibited: 490–510 kHz, 2170–2194 kHz, 8354–8374 kHz,
   121.4–121.6 MHz, 156.7–156.9 MHz, and 242.8243.2 MHz.

§ 18.305   Field strength limits.

   top

   (a) ISM equipment operating on a frequency specified in §18.301 is permitted
   unlimited radiated energy in the band specified for that frequency.

   (b) The field strength levels of emissions which lie outside the bands
   specified in §18.301, unless otherwise indicated, shall not exceed the
   following:
   Equipment Operating frequency RF Power generated by equipment (watts) Field
   strength limit (uV/m) Distance (meters)
   Any type unless otherwise specified (miscellaneous) Any ISM frequency Below
   500
   500 or more 25
   25×SQRT(power/500) 300
   ^1300
      Any non-ISM frequency Below 500
   500 or more 15
   15×SQRT(power/500) 300
   ^1300
   Industrial heaters and RF stabilized arc welders On or below 5,725 MHz
   Above 5,725 MHz Any
   Any 10
   (^2) 1,600
   (^2)
   Medical diathermy Any ISM frequency
   Any non-ISM frequency Any
   Any 25
   15 300
   300
   Ultrasonic Below 490 kHz Below 500
   500 or more 2,400/F(kHz)
   2,400/F(kHz)× SQRT(power/500) 300
   ^3300
      490 to 1,600 kHz
   Above 1,600 kHz Any
   Any 24,000/F(kHz)
   15 30
   30
   Induction cooking ranges Below 90 kHz
   On or above 90 kHz Any
   Any 1,500
   300 ^430
   ^430

   ^1Field strength may not exceed 10 μV/m at 1600 meters. Consumer equipment
   operating below 1000 MHz is not permitted the increase in field strength
   otherwise permitted here for power over 500 watts.

   ^2Reduced to the greatest extent possible.

   ^3Field strength may not exceed 10 μV/m at 1600 meters. Consumer equipment
   is not permitted the increase in field strength otherwise permitted here for
   over 500 watts.

   ^4Induction cooking ranges manufactured prior to February 1, 1980, shall be
   subject to the field strength limits for miscellaneous ISM equipment.

   (c)  The  field  strength  limits for RF lighting devices shall be the
   following:
       Frequency (MHz)     Field strength limit at 30 meters (μV/m)
   Non-consumer equipment:
   30–88                                                         30
   88–216                                                        50
   216–1000                                                      70
   Consumer equipment:    
   30–88                                                         10
   88–216                                                        15
   216–1000                                                      20

   Notes

   1. The tighter limit shall apply at the boundary between two frequency
   ranges.

   2. Testing for compliance with these limits may be made at closer distances,
   provided a sufficient number of measurements are taken to plot the radiation
   pattern, to determine the major lobes of radiation, and to determine the
   expected field strength level at 30, 300, or 1600 meters. Alternatively, if
   measurements  are  made  at  only  one closer fixed distance, then the
   permissible  field  strength  limits shall be adjusted using 1/d as an
   attenuation factor.

   [ 50 FR 36070 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  51 FR 17970 , May 16, 1986;  52 FR 43197 , Nov. 10, 1987]

§ 18.307   Conduction limits.

   top

   For the following equipment, when designed to be connected to the public
   utility (AC) power line the radio frequency voltage that is conducted back
   onto the AC power line on any frequency or frequencies shall not exceed the
   limits in the following tables. Compliance with the provisions of this
   paragraph shall be based on the measurement of the radio frequency voltage
   between each power line and ground at the power terminal using a 50 μH/50
   ohms line impedance stabilization network (LISN).

   (a) All Induction cooking ranges and ultrasonic equipment:
   Frequency of emission (MHz) Conducted limit (dBμV)
                               Quasi-peak   Average
   0.009–0.05                  110        —
   0.05–0.15                   90–80*     —
   0.15–0.5                    66 to 56*  56 to 46*
   0.5–5                       56         46
   5–30                        60         50

   *Decreases with the logarithm of the frequency.

   (b) All other part 18 consumer devices:
   Frequency of emission (MHz) Conducted limit (dBμV)
                               Quasi-peak   Average
   0.15–0.5                    66 to 56*  56 to 46*
   0.5–5                       56         46
   5–30                        60         50

   *Decreases with the logarithm of the frequency.

   (c) RF lighting devices:
   Frequency (MHz) Maximum RF line voltage measured with a 50 uH/50 ohm LISN
   (uV)
   Non-consumer equipment:
   0.45 to 1.6 1,000
   1.6 to 30 3,000
   Consumer equipment:
   0.45 to 2.51 250
   2.51 to 3.0 3,000
   3.0 to 30 250

   (d) If testing with a quasi-peak detector demonstrates that the equipment
   complies with the average limits specified in the appropriate table in this
   section, additional testing to demonstrate compliance using an average
   detector is not required.

   (e) These conduction limits shall apply only outside of the frequency bands
   specified in §18.301.

   (f) For ultrasonic equipment, compliance with the conducted limits shall
   preclude the need to show compliance with the field strength limits below 30
   MHz unless requested by the Commission.

   (g) The tighter limits shall apply at the boundary between two frequency
   ranges.

   [ 50 FR 36067 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  52 FR 43198 , Nov. 10, 1987;  64 FR 37419 , July 12, 1999;  67 FR 45671 , July 10, 2002]

§ 18.309   Frequency range of measurements.

   top

   (a) For field strength measurements:
   Frequency band in which device operates (MHz) Range of frequency
   measurements
   Lowest frequency Highest frequency
   Below 1.705 Lowest frequency generated in the device, but not lower than 9
   kHz 30 MHz.
   1.705 to 30 Lowest frequency generated in the device, but not lower than 9
   kHz 400 MHz.
   30 to 500 Lowest frequency generated in the device or 25 MHz, whichever is
   lower Tenth harmonic or 1,000 MHz, whichever is higher.
   500 to 1,000 Lowest frequency generated in the device or 100 MHz, whichever
   is lower Tenth harmonic.
   Above 1,000 ......do Tenth harmonic or highest detectable emission.

   (b) For conducted powerline measurements, the frequency range over which the
   limits are specified will be scanned.

   [ 50 FR 36070 , Sept. 5, 1985, as amended at  51 FR 17971 , May 16 1986]

§ 18.311   Methods of measurements.

   top

   The  measurement techniques which will be used by the FCC to determine
   compliance with the technical requirements of this part are set out in FCC
   Measurement  Procedure  MP–5,  “Methods of Measurements of Radio Noise
   Emissions from ISM equipment”. Although the procedures in MP–5 are not
   mandated, manufacturers are encouraged to follow the same techniques which
   will be used by the FCC.
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