Radio Equipment Certifications - American Communication Systems

Radio equipment certifications

MIL STD 810 - U.S. Department of Defense environmental standards in categories such as vibration, shock, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity, rain, dust, temperature, and atmospheric pressure.

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIL-STD-810

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JIS SCALE

The Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) for water resistance uses a "0" to "8" scale to define the level of water ingress protection built into each product. If the product was tested in compliance with this standard it is usually listed on the product spec sheet. The various JIS classes are defined below.

JIS "0" No special protection

JIS "1" Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect (Drip resistant 1)

JIS "2" Dripping water at an angle up to 15 degrees from vertical shall have no harmful effect (Drip resistant 2)

JIS "3" Falling rain at an angle up to 60 degrees from vertical shall have no harmful effect (Rain resistant)

JIS "4" Splashing water from any direction shall have no harmful effect (Splash resistant)

JIS "5" Direct jetting water from any direction shall have no harmful effect (Jet resistant)

JIS "6" Direct jetting water from any direction shall not enter the enclosure (Water tight)

JIS "7" Water shall not enter the enclosure when it is immersed in water under defined conditions (Immersion resistant)

JIS "8" The equipment is usable for continuous submersion in water under specified pressure (Submersible)

The equipment is usable under relative humidity of 90% and up (Humidity resistant).

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USCG CFR-46

USCG CFR-46 refers to the Coast Guard definition for waterproof, this is not a Coast Guard requirement.

The Coast Guard definition is found in 46 CFR 110.15-1(b)19, which states that a "Waterproof machine means a totally enclosed machine so constructed that a stream of water from a hose with a nozzle one inch in diameter that delivers at least 65 gallons per minute can be played on the machine from any direction from a distance of about 10 feet for a period of not less than 5 minutes without leakage...". A similar description applied to watertight.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A.605(15), referring to VHF hand-helds used in survival craft, describes water-tight requirements as "The equipment should be watertight to a depth of 1 meter for at least 5 minutes", and that it should "maintain watertightness when subjected to a thermal shock of 45 degrees C under conditions of immersion."

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FCC SC-101

FCC SC-101 - Digital Selective calling (Marine).

Digital Selective Calling is a technology in which a VHF radio can (selectively) call another radio using digital message format, similar to computer modem. You use the DSC code of the specific vessel you are calling, and only the radio on the vessel called receives your message. All other radios are unaffected. The biggest advantage is that VHF messages going directly to recipient, instead of everyone else, like in a 'chat room'.

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DO-156 Class C

DO-156 Class C - European regulatory document for Aircraft frequency selectivity requirements.

Class C is specified in both ED-23B and DO-186A for a Receiver, 25 kHz CH spacing, intended for use in CLIMAX (channel offset carrier operation).

Se also: Aviation Approvals

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DO-157 Class 4

DO-157 Class 4 - European regulatory document for Class 4 specifies 25 kHz CH spacing transmitter for 100 nautical miles range (minimum 4 Watt RF output power).

Se also: Aviation Approvals

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Other Aviation Standards

DO-160A - Aircraft, environmental
D1-A MNO XXXXXX ZBABZ - Aircraft
ED-23B Classes C + E and 4 + 6 - Aircraft
ED-12B Level D, ED-14C D1-AA BMN XXXXXX ZBBBATZ - Aircraft
LBA - means German Federal Aviation Authority
DFS
RegTP

Se also: Aviation Approvals

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JTSO-2C37e, JTSO-2C38e

JTSO-2C37e (Receiver) and JTSO 2-C38e (Transmitter) are the EUROPEAN standards which are comparable with FAA TSO-2C37e and TSO-2C38e. The (e) issues include both 8.33 kHz and 25 kHz equipment performance requirements, while (d) is for 25 kHz only. Such General regulations describe the applicable MOPS (Minimum Operational Performance Specification) documents for transceivers. This includes ED-23B, ED-14D and ED-12B in case of transmitters and receivers, and the applicable issues of these documents.

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IP Ratings for Product Protection

IP-rated product certification is defined by a 2-digit number (i.e. IP54). The first digit describes the level of protection against the solid matter, dust and particles, the second - against water.

How to read the rating:

First digit equals to:
0:	No Special Protection
1	Protected Against Solid Objects > 50 mm in diameter
2:	Protected Against Solid Objects > 12 mm in diameter
3:	Protected Against Solid Objects > 2.5 mm in diameter
4:	Protected Against Solid Objects > 1 mm in diameter
5:	*Dust Protected*
6:	Dust Tight

Second digit equals to:
0:	No Special Protection
1:	Protected Against Dripping Water
2:	Protected Against Dripping Water When Tilted Up to 15 degrees From Normal Position
3:	Protected Against Spraying Water
4:	*Protected Against Splashing Water*
5:	Protected Against Water Jet Spray
6:	Protected Against Heavy Jet Spray
7:	Protected Against the Effects of Immersion
8:	Protected Against Submersion

Visual IP Ratings Chart.
Courtesy of www.2mcctv.com, reproduced by permission

The IP54 (IEC 529) tests the product's protection against dust and water. To obtain IP54 certification, the product is subjected to dust and spray water tests. The dust test calls for the product to be placed in a dust test chamber and subjected to 8 hours of agitation. The spray water test subjects the product to 10 minutes of continuous water flow from 25 different spray nozzles.

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