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Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?

To: David Eckhardt <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?
From: "Hare, Ed, W1RFI" <w1rfi@arrl.org>
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 22:24:11 +0000
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
You are not “well aware” if you were looking in the FCC certification database 
for reports on digital-devices unintentional emitters.  They are not required 
to file anything into the certification database.

I do not find the words “Class C” anywhere in Part 15.  There are Class A 
industrial devices and limits and Class B residential devices and limits.  You 
may be talking about the section in Part 15 Part C, intentional emitters. Those 
are certificated, but Part C devices are not industrial devices; that is the 
description of intentional emitters.





From: David Eckhardt <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 5:17 PM
To: Hare, Ed, W1RFI <w1rfi@arrl.org>
Cc: Ken Bandy, KJ9B <ken.kj9b@gmail.com>; Rfi List <rfi@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?

Yes, ED, I'm well aware of all that.  In my looking at all the reports filed 
with FCC, none addressed the complete system, only the intentional radiators 
(Zigibee, BlueTooth, or whatever).  Yes, as a Class B filing, no report is 
necessary.  They must have modified those wireless modules, likely the antenna 
or digital format, to require testing and approval.   No one in their right 
mind as a user of widely available wireless modules wants to own the FCC 
approval for those.  Let the suppliers own the regulatory requirements.  If 
they are modified in any way, antenna or digital protocol, then, yes, the user 
must certify the module.

And why do the filed reports - all of them - claim compliance to Class C, 
industrial?

Dave - WØLEV

On Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 10:07 PM Hare, Ed, W1RFI 
<w1rfi@arrl.org<mailto:w1rfi@arrl.org>> wrote:
David,

Solar systems are digital devices that are classified as unintentional 
emitters. If they are marketed into residential environments, they must meet 
Part 15 B emissions limits. The only unintentional emitters that require 
certification that would create an entry in the database you looked at are 
scanning receivers, radar detectors and access BPL devices.  Although they CAN 
certify if there is no US resident willing to take responsibility under a 
Suppliers Declaration of Conformity, the vast majority of unintentional 
emitters are not certificated, so there will be no information on the FCC page 
containing test data.  An SDoC is essentially self-policed.  The rules do not 
require that test data on devices authorized under an SDoC be provided to the 
FCC.

If they are using a certificated WiFi or Zigbee device that is used intact, its 
certification would suffice, so there would not be a need for a separate entry 
in the database, no more than you would need to certificate your station if you 
bought and installed a certificated Bluetooth microphone in it.

Ed, W1RFI





-----Original Message-----
From: RFI 
<rfi-bounces+w1rfi=arrl.org@contesting.com<mailto:arrl.org@contesting.com>> On 
Behalf Of David Eckhardt
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 4:55 PM
To: Ken Bandy, KJ9B <ken.kj9b@gmail.com<mailto:ken.kj9b@gmail.com>>
Cc: Rfi List <rfi@contesting.com<mailto:rfi@contesting.com>>
Subject: Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?

IN further poking around on the FCC OET site under Generac, I can't find a 
single report filed on anything except wireless hardware.  I could not locate 
any complete systems which would include the panels, optimizers, other 
electronic switching devices, and simulated house wiring.  There is no evidence 
in the reports of any test results being filed with the FCC for the entire 
system.  All the "Max Freq '' frequencies listed on the response pages for a 
general search on Generac on the FCC OET pages reflect only above roughly 700 
MHz.  This tells me they are only filing for the intentional radiator, that 
being ZigBee or BlueTooth or some other protocol.  No complete *system test* is 
filed with FCC.  So, how can they claim compliance to even Part 15, Subpart C 
(Intentional radiator), Class C (industrial).  BTW:  Class C systems *do* 
require filing a test report with FCC.  There is none.

Dave - WØLEV

On Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 5:06 AM Ken Bandy, KJ9B 
<ken.kj9b@gmail.com<mailto:ken.kj9b@gmail.com>> wrote:

> Hi all.  I am contemplating having a “PowerHome Solar” power system
> installed at my house, and am a little concerned about possible RF
> noise generation from the system.  This system uses a Generac
> controller.  Does anyone have any experience with a system using a
> Generac controller?  I know early inverters were often RF noisy, but
> I’m hoping that the later models have addressed noise generation.
>
> Any input is appreciated.
>
> 73,
> Ken, KJ9B
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI@contesting.com<mailto:RFI@contesting.com>
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>


--
*Dave - WØLEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
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--
Dave - WØLEV
Just Let Darwin Work

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