EMC CE compatible for device producted at home

[gulson]

is the ce compatible with emc

I want start selling small device with PCB and few components (triacs) but without case. So only components and pcb, maybe also one wire. As we are in Europenian Union I want ask do I need any certificates like EMC electromagnetic compatible CE? This device is not fully complete, need case, wires and buyer will create case if he needs. So this is something like kit, board etc. This device can be connected to 24V ~ and 220V ~

and what about fully complete products?

 

[Beetroots]

Remember that the body involved in 'policing' the EMC regulations (such as trading standards in the UK) will only take an interest in your product if there is a consumer complaint to them - any investigation is only initiated by a third part complaint.

If you have been selling an article which should have had a declaration of conformity (but hadn't) you will be given some time to correct the situation.

If your product, in your opinion, will meets standards of emission due to it's design, you can do a self declaration of conformaty - there is no third party testing required, and you can use the CE mark on your documentation.

Most companies selling low volume hobbiest boards/kits like you describe (at least in the UK) do not claim that their apparatus is compliant with any EEC EMC regulation, and they are explicit in this in their documentation. A claim is usually made that the apparatus is a component and that system performance is ultimately up to the end integrator.

 

[flatulent]

Another aspect is that devices are tested to frequencies of 10x the internal frequency for radiation. If there is no oscillator or the 10x frequency is below some limit like 30 MHz the radiation test is probably not required.

Then it is only the conducted test required. If you put good mains filtering you should be able to calculate that there are no conducted signals that exceed the legal limits.

 

[Frosty]

You have 3 issues if you do indeed consider the board to be a 'product' or a 'component' for a product

EMC as it fits in the directive
LVD and safety testing (you say it connects to mains)
Product Approvals, which is a combination of both of the above as well as the CE marking directive itself.

You get a few emissions or it stops working because someones cell phone is too close then no big deal.

You provide a component, instructions on how to use it (kit or not) and that component or product causes serious injury or death, then the first thing you liability insurer will ask for is how you validated the product was safe and how you validated all parts themselves meet EU harmonised approvals.

In the case of mains parts, the part approval by itself is not enough, it has to comply when assembled as well.

Technical Construction File approaches to self certification have been left by the side of the road long time ago, many kit manufacturers stopped making kits for this very reason or specifically excluded mains connected products.

I would stick to selling a PCB which meets UL flamability criterea at least for the product type you are selling, and sell the plans to build with warnings printed everywhere and leave the buyer to get the parts themselves.

Oh happy days :wink: