Nice project with the remote light switch: http://lowpowerlab.com/blog/2013/10/23/switching-mains-lights-with-moteino/
QuoteI would hope this could see the light of day as a commercial product, but it would require UL/CSA certification at least...
If I'm not wrong, it would also require FCC certification (at least for sale in USA) since you are using RF control. The HopeRF module claims to be FCC compliant but I believe that just means it *could* pass the cert as a component in your system. It is up to the OEM to actually test the complete system unit as configured in your final product, to the requirements of FCC Part 15 (or whatever part you plan to use).
I used to work for a company that made active RFID tags at 433.92 MHz. There were very strict duty cycle requirements, in addition to the usual RF power limits and spurious emissions etc. The Moteino sketches that transmit a packet every second would be WAY out of compliance with the rules (as I remember them- it was a long time ago). The FCC regs I remember were intended for things like security systems that in normal use transmit just once every hour or so.
You are right. FCC would need to pass this too, as an OEM product.
But think of Wemo products. Or Z-wave. Those are networks that transmit at sub ghz frequencies. Zwave works on the ~900mhz bands, and it requires transmissions to keep the mesh going, plus messages get forwarded so a single packet could be bounced between a few nodes before it reaches the destination, then there's ACKs for everything ... etc etc. Just turning things on-off and playing with lights will require some significant transmissions.
There's hope, but not with my budget. I'd need someone willing to invest or something along those lines. I don't have the time either to dedicate and research everything. Just not worth it. I've talked to some other people and the conclusion was about the same. Not a road I want to take right now. But really ... it was a fun project and it is stable.
Apparently the FCC duty cycle limits do not apply at 900 MHz and above. Regarding the 433 MHz band, there is some info here: http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra048/swra048.pdf and this is what I remember. There was a petition to relax the 433 MHz limits (RM-11651 from Lockheed Martin), but not sure what ever came of that. Also it may be just the US, seems other countries may not have duty cycle limits at 433.
I also note that "Periodic transmissions at regular predetermined intervals are not allowed." is an interesting statement, because it says nothing about periodic transmissions at
irregular intervals, or
not predetermined intervals.
Quotep.4: 2.2.1 Control Applications
Control applications must meet the conditions that are listed in FCC paragraph 15.231(a). These conditions are summarized below.
• The transmitter must be used to transmit a simple control signal, like an alarm system, a door opener, or a remote switch. Data may be sent together with the control signal.
• If the transmitter is operated manually, an automatic switch must cease the transmission within five seconds after releasing.
• If the transmission is started automatically, it must not last longer than five seconds.
• Continuous transmissions, voice, video and radio control of toys are not allowed.
• Periodic transmissions at regular predetermined intervals are not allowed. The only exception is integrity testing in security or safety applications. In these cases, the total duration of transmissions for each transmitter must not exceed two seconds per hour.
• Transmitters used to signal a fire, security or safety of life, alarm may operate while the alarm condition exists without time limitations.
How much is the cost for the FCC certification?
Also, because a product like that will be directly connected to the electric source, then you will need a safety certification like UL for the US market? That's correct?
I don't know, but probably a LOT.