FCC Part 18 testing for industrial, scientific, and medical equipment

FCC Part 18 — Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment Testing

FCC Part 18 regulates industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment that intentionally generates and uses radio frequency energy for purposes other than telecommunications. Compatible Electronics provides comprehensive Part 18 testing using FCC OST/MP-5 measurement methods, with accreditation at all three California locations.

NVLAP Accredited FCC Listed Lab ISO/IEC 17025:2017 FCC OST/MP-5 Accredited

What is ISM Equipment?

ISM equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy locally for industrial, scientific, medical, or domestic purposes — not for transmitting information. Examples include RF plastic welders, dielectric drying ovens, microwave processing equipment, medical diathermy, ultrasonic cleaners, and RF lighting devices. Because ISM equipment can generate significant RF energy, Part 18 establishes field strength limits and measurement procedures to limit interference with licensed radio services.

ISM Equipment Categories & Frequency Bands

Equipment Categories

Industrial heating equipment — RF dryers, sealers, plastic welders, dielectric heaters
Medical diathermy equipment — shortwave and microwave diathermy
Ultrasonic equipment — cleaners, welders, and processing equipment
RF lighting devices — electrodeless lamps and RF-excited lighting
Microwave ovens — consumer and commercial
Plasma generators — RF plasma processing equipment
Scientific research equipment using RF energy
Consumer ISM devices — induction cooktops, wireless charging

ISM Frequency Bands

6.78 MHz ± 15 kHz
13.56 MHz ± 7 kHz
27.12 MHz ± 163 kHz
40.68 MHz ± 20 kHz
915 MHz ± 13 MHz (Americas)
2450 MHz ± 50 MHz
5800 MHz ± 75 MHz
24.125 GHz ± 125 MHz

Testing Requirements

Radiated field strength measurements at specified distances (30 m, 10 m, or 3 m depending on frequency)
Conducted emissions on AC mains
Spurious emissions outside designated ISM bands
Frequency stability and accuracy within ISM band tolerances
Operating frequency verification within designated ISM band

Standards We Test To

USA — All 3 Locations

FCC OST/MP-5 (1986)

FCC Methods of Measurement of Radio Noise Emissions for ISM Equipment; cited in 47 CFR FCC Part 18. Accredited at Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, and Newbury Park.

EU — Lake Forest/Silverado & Newbury Park

EN 55011 (2009) + A1 (2010)

Industrial, scientific and medical radio-frequency equipment; electromagnetic disturbance characteristics. Accredited at Lake Forest/Silverado and Newbury Park.

EU — Lake Forest/Silverado & Brea

EN 55011 (2007) + A2 (2007)

Previous edition of EN 55011 ISM standard. Accredited at Lake Forest/Silverado and Brea.

Canada — Brea & Lake Forest/Silverado

ICES-001 Issue 4 (2006, updated November 2014)

Industry Canada ISM Radio Frequency Generators; Canadian equivalent to FCC Part 18. Accredited at Brea and Lake Forest/Silverado.

Equipment Classes & Authorization

Equipment Classes

Class A — Industrial ISM equipment used in non-residential environments; less stringent field strength limits
Class B — ISM equipment for residential, commercial, or light industrial use; stricter limits to protect consumer radio services
Consumer ISM equipment (microwave ovens) — Class B limits apply
Equipment classification based on intended deployment environment

Authorization Requirements

Equipment within designated ISM bands — Verification or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)
Equipment generating RF energy outside ISM bands — may require FCC Certification
Record-keeping of test results required
FCC compliance labeling required on device
ICES-001 compliance statement required for Canadian market

Products We Test

RF plastic welders and heat sealers
Industrial dielectric drying and heating ovens
Medical shortwave and microwave diathermy units
Ultrasonic cleaning systems
Electrodeless RF lighting systems

Microwave ovens — commercial and consumer
RF plasma processing equipment
Induction heating equipment
Scientific RF research apparatus

Real-World Testing Examples

RF Plastic Welder — Part 18 Class A

An industrial packaging manufacturer required FCC Part 18 compliance for a 27.12 MHz RF plastic welder used in a commercial production facility. Compatible Electronics performed radiated field strength measurements per FCC OST/MP-5 at 30 meters, confirming compliance with Class A ISM field strength limits across the fundamental frequency and spurious emissions at harmonics. Conducted emissions on the 3-phase power supply were also measured. The test report supported the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity required for commercial distribution.

Electrodeless RF Lighting System — Part 18 + EN 55011

A commercial lighting manufacturer required both FCC Part 18 and EU EN 55011 compliance for a 13.56 MHz electrodeless induction lamp system. Compatible Electronics performed FCC OST/MP-5 measurements for Part 18 compliance and EN 55011 testing for the EU market in a single test session. The 13.56 MHz ISM band frequency required careful verification of the band tolerance (±7 kHz) and field strength limits at the 10-meter measurement distance. The combined test package supported both US and European market entry.

Ultrasonic Industrial Cleaner — ICES-001

A manufacturer of industrial ultrasonic cleaning systems needed both FCC Part 18 and Industry Canada ICES-001 certification for equipment sold across North America. Compatible Electronics performed FCC OST/MP-5 and ICES-001 measurements in parallel, delivering combined test documentation for simultaneous US and Canadian compliance.