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From: jborza%burgundy@Sun.COM (Jim_Borza)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: 386 PCs and FCC Class A and Class B certification.
Keywords: business use ONLY, RF interference, low cost 386PCs
Message-ID: <104952@sun.Eng.Sun.COM>
Date: 15 May 89 23:00:12 GMT
References: <6930@bunny.GTE.COM>
Sender: news@sun.Eng.Sun.COM
Distribution: usa
Lines: 32

In article <6930@bunny.GTE.COM>, js07@GTE.COM (Jack Shaio) writes:
> One way of turning a Class A into a Class B is to put conductive paint all
> over the inside of the box; any experience with this ?

It's not nearly that simple.  In effect, a device is considered Class A
if it meets the following: 
a)  It is intended for use in non-residential,i.e. industrial/office
	environments (this can be determined by ,among other things, the
	sale price, power requirements, bulk/weight, etc.)
b)  The manufacturer tests and certifies the device as meeting the Class
	A requirements.

Class B is for equipment either intended for, or easily adapted for use
in residential environments, or offered for sale through channels sel-
ling into residential environments.  Class B requires the test data to
be submitted to the FCC.  The FCC determines whether to certify the unit
as Class B and may require a sample of the equipment to be submitted to
them prior to issuing (or denying) the certification.

Spraying conductive paint may bring the emissions from a unit within the
Class B limits, but it will never make it a Class B product - that re-
quires the FCC's certification.  It's also interesting to note that if 
your computer interferes with someone's TV/Radio reception, it doesn't
matter if it's Class A, B or whatever, you're on the hook to stop the
interference.
The above isn't legal advice - just general guidelines learned the pro-
verbial "hard way".



Jim Borza - Sun Microsystems
Disclaimer?  Sure, why not?