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Re: [RFI] Part 15 Rules Applicable to Solar Panel RFI

To: James Gordon Beattie Jr <w2ttt@att.net>, "EDWARDS, EDDIE J" <eedwards@oppd.com>, Mike / W5JR <w5jr.lists@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Part 15 Rules Applicable to Solar Panel RFI
From: "Hare, Ed W1RFI" <w1rfi@arrl.org>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2020 13:54:28 +0000
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Part 18 is primarily for intentional emitters that do not carry information.  
There are a number of ISM frequency bands allocated for ISM. Within those 
bands, no licensed user is offered any protection from harmful interference 
from an ISM device.  An example of this is the 2.4 GHz band. It is also an ISM 
band and within that band, if an industrial heat sealer operated on 2.4 GHz, 
amateurs have to accept any interference it caused.  There are also Part 15 
users of that band, such as Bluetooth and WiFi modems. They must operate under 
the provision that they cause no harmful interference to licensed user, so we 
do have protection from them.  Outside the ISM bands, they have limits on 
spurious emissions and we are protected from harmful interference outside the 
ISM bands from spurious ISM-device emissions.

Solar Panels, their optimizers and inverters are all digital devices as defined 
under Part 15.  Part 18 does not apply to solar systems in any way. 

-----Original Message-----
From: RFI <rfi-bounces+w1rfi=arrl.org@contesting.com> On Behalf Of James Gordon 
Beattie Jr
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 10:25 PM
To: EDWARDS, EDDIE J <eedwards@oppd.com>; Mike / W5JR <w5jr.lists@gmail.com>
Cc: RFI Reflector <rfi@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Part 15 Rules Applicable to Solar Panel RFI

Guys,


Part 18 is useful, but keep in mind that conducted emissions that meet spec, 
but can lead to radiated emissions that are impairments that are not covered.


Such is the mess of the rules. 


73,


Gordon Beattie, W2TTT 


201.314.6964 




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On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 10:15 PM -0400, "Mike / W5JR" <w5jr.lists@gmail.com> 
wrote:










Yes, 15.5 and 18.111 should cover the landscape for all unintentional radiators 
& ISM radiators with regards to licensed services, notwithstanding their “test” 
results. 

Mike / W5JR
Alpharetta GA

On Aug 19, 2020, at 9:28 PM, EDWARDS, EDDIE J  wrote:

Since solar panels are part of an electrical system, the same rules that apply 
the RFI from electrical power lines should also apply to electrical power 
generation.
I've never heard of a utility successfully argue that their RFI conducted 
emissions meets part 15 limits so they're allowed to cause harmful RF 
interference to licensed radio services.
That would legalize unlicensed spark gap transmitters as long as they could 
meet conducted limits in part 15.
Also, ARRL RFI Book only mentions part 15 for powerline interference  if I  
remember correctly.

73, de ed -K0iL

Sent from Workspace ONE Boxer

On Aug 19, 2020 6:35 PM, Mike - W5JR  wrote:
READ THIS FIRST! This is NOT an OPPD email.Be very cautious of any links or  
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I expect that they fall under Part 18, like home appliances and outdoor 
lighting.


tnx
Mike / W5JR
Alpharetta GA


> On Aug 19, 2020, at 18:49, Tony  wrote:
> 
> All:
> 
> I need a refresher course on Part-15 and how the rules might apply to solar 
> panel RFI affecting frequencies below 30 MHz.
> 
> According to section 15.3m (paraphrasing here) harmful interference is 
> defined as ANY RADIATED EMISSION that interrupts radio communications to the 
> amateur radio service.
> 
> Assuming the solar panel system components are classified as unintentional 
> radiators, the emissions limits below 30 MHz pertain to conducted emissions 
> and to the best of my knowledge, do not include radiated emissions.
> 
> So the question is whether harmful interference as defined in section 15.3 
> (m) overrides the fact that there are no radiated limits below 30 MHz?
> 
> Do I have that right?
> 
> Tony -K2MO
> 
> *
> *
> 
> *Harmful**interference*:/§ 15.3 (m) Harmful interference. Any emission, 
> radiation or induction that endangers the functioning of a radio navigation 
> service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or 
> repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunications service operating in accordance 
> with this Chapter./The rules for nearly every licensed radio service prohibit 
> harmful interference and that includes the Amateur Radio Service.
> 
> 
> 
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