Meaning
Product identification for wireless equipment confirms compliance with national standards. An fcc id identifies a radio frequency device that has been certified for use in the United States through a unique alphanumeric string. It consists of a three or five character grantee code followed by a product code chosen by the manufacturer.
This identifier confirms that the equipment has undergone the necessary testing and meets the technical requirements of the Federal Communications Commission.
Public Record
The presence of an fcc id allows for the retrieval of the public filing from the equipment authorization database. This record contains the internal and external photographs, the user manual, the complete test reports or the circuit diagrams for the device. Transparency in this data ensures that the market can verify the output power and frequency range of any wireless product.
Labeling Requirement
Affixing the fcc id permanently to the surface of the equipment must occur, or it must be displayed electronically if the device has a screen. The text must be legible and durable enough to last for the lifetime of the product. If the device is too small to carry the label, the identifier is placed in the user manual or on the packaging.
Modular Approval
A host device may use the fcc id of a pre-certified radio module if the integration follows the specific instructions provided by the module manufacturer. This approach reduces the testing burden on the integrator since the radio performance is already documented. If the host modifies the radio circuitry or uses a different antenna, the original identifier is no longer valid.
In such cases, the integrator must apply for their own certification to ensure that the new combination of hardware and firmware remains within the legal limits for radio emissions.
