LEARNING ABOUT ISM EQUIPMENT

Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment, in this case, refers to equipment or devices that utilize radio frequency to energy to perform work for industrial, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the telecommunications field.

Common ISM equipment are medical diathermy equipment, industrial heating equipment, and magnetic resonance equipment. Domestic equipment making use of RF energy in a similar way also fall under the definition of ISM equipment, incuding microwave ovens, jewelry cleaners, and ultrasonic humidifiers.

Even though ISM devices utilize specific ISM frequencies within defined ISM spectrum allocations, the fact that a device makes use of an ISM frequency does not necessarily mean that device is an ISM device. For example; the 2.4 GHz spectrum used for wireless networking, centered on 2.450 GHz and ranging from 2.4 – 2.5 GHz, is a designated ISM frequency band. However, in the case of wireless networking, that frequency is used for telecommunication, and telecommunication use is excluded under most definitions of ISM equipment. Telecommunication equipment usually comes under the definition of Information Technology Equipment (ITE), so, in that case, the wireless networking device would be classified under other rules, designed for unlicensed intentional radiators.

While some product types require certification prior to marketing or selling in the U.S., C.F.R. Title 47, part 18 covers electromagnetic interference requirements for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) equipment.

With respect to the European EMC Directive, the product family standard EN (European Norm) 55011, a modified version of CISPR 11, covers emissions requirements for ISM equipment. This product family standard is for equipment that fits the IEC definition above.

The applicable versions are listed on EMC Directive list of harmonized standards published on the European Commission web site.

Ref; CISPR 11 / EN 55011

• IEC 60050

• 2004/108/EC – Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive

• C.F.R. Title 47, part 18