Drop + OLKB Planck Mechanical Keyboard Kit V6 Discussions | Drop

Mar 29, 2017

Has this pcb been FCC Part 15 tested?

bigguybbq

Mar 30, 2017

It's not a wireless keyboard

Vote

Mar 30, 2017

bigguybbq

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_47_CFR_Part_15 Part 15 does not pertain just to wireless devices, it pertains to all devices that run on electricity that are marketed or sold in the United States.

bigguybbq

Mar 30, 2017

Vote

Mar 30, 2017

@jackhumbert @Wilba @massdrop I hope that the lack of response to my question is not indicative of a lack of FCC part 15 verification.
http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet62/oet62rev.pdf
According to this document, keyboards are not exempt from verification, and penalties for selling unauthorized devices can be steep: o forfeiture of all non-compliant equipment o $100,000/$200,000 criminal penalty for an individual/organization o a criminal fine totalling twice the gross gain obtained from sales of the non-compliant equipment o an administrative fine totalling $10,000/day per violation
Additionally CISPR 22 certification may be needed if you are selling in Europe.
I hope olkb and massdrop are not putting themselves at risk.

fourbbl

Mar 30, 2017

They aren't selling a keyboard or a device. They are selling a "kit" ...which may be included in section 15.25?
...why bring it up? Are you concerned about emissions?

Mar 30, 2017

fourbbl

15.25 refers to TV kits and still requires verification. What they are selling would probably fit under FCC's description of a digital peripheral requiring verification.
I bring it up because of my curiosity about electrical engineering and the challenges of brining a product to market.

ChitownM2

736

Mar 30, 2017

As others have mentioned, he's not selling a peripheral device because it isn't assembled. It's a kit and kits are typically treated differently than assembled products when it comes to regulation. For example, cars and planes assembled from kits aren't subject to most of the regs that a finished ready to use version is.
Also, the pcb is probably the only item that would fall under fcc jurisdiction and it probably qualifies as a sub assembly so it would be exempt. Now if he was selling a fully assembled board that might be a different scenario.

Mar 30, 2017

ChitownM2

Pertaining to kits: 15.25(b) At least two units of the kit shall be assembled in exact accordance with the instructions supplied with the product to be marketed. If all components required to fully complete the kit (other than those specified in paragraph (a) of this section which are needed for compliance with the technical provisions and must be included with the kit) are not normally furnished with the kit, assembly shall be made using the recommended components. The assembled units shall be certified or authorized under the Declaration of Conformity procedure, as appropriate, pursuant to the requirements of this part.
Pertaining to subassemblies: 15.101(e)Subassemblies to digital devices are not subject to the technical standards in this part unless they are marketed as part of a system in which case the resulting system must comply with the applicable regulations.
From the explainer document: (Note, however, that circuit boards or cards that are connected to external devices or increase the operating or processing speed of a digital device are considered peripherals.)
From these descriptions it looks like this keyboard/kit/peripheral/subassembly would fit under the description of Class A digital devices and their peripherals which means it would be subject to FCC verification.

Apr 9, 2017

@jackhumbert the FCC does not have any application that have been submitted under OLKB, Ortholinear Keyboards, or Massdrop. Is your company registered under a different name? https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm?calledFromFrame=N

Apr 11, 2017

Thought that I had seen it all ... now I come across this self-taught armchair FCC regulations expert :D He's posting his expert knowledge in another drop too...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Apr 12, 2017

Hush Erwin. The adults are talking, use your indoor voice.

Genuine

Apr 12, 2017

The adults in the room aren't interested in whether the FCC has given their stamp of approval to Jack for this keyboard.

Apr 12, 2017

We are following up with our legal and will definitely be meeting the full legal compliance requirements for the sale / distribution of these keyboards. No need to worry @SillySpinner

Apr 30, 2017

are you a fed dude?

Jul 10, 2017

This guy.

Jul 11, 2017

Man, you called it. How sad is this on MD's part!

Jul 11, 2017

The irony...

Jul 11, 2017

Who's laughing now

Jul 11, 2017

And now we know who to point to when someone asks why this was delayed. yay!

779

Jul 11, 2017

Aren't you the whistle blower that caused the delay?

Evilocity

141

Jul 11, 2017

Lmao look who's got the last laugh. Oh and you're an asshole.

n0velty

Jul 11, 2017

Turns out he was right. Shame on you.

Petch

117

Jul 11, 2017

YanboWu

n o n e e d t o w o r r y

Jul 11, 2017

I'm disappointed in the delay as well. I can't say that I caused the delay, however. I have nothing to do with the project aside from being a customer. However, I can say that I told them they might need to anticipate international regulations in this post 15 weeks ago. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/planck-mechanical-keyboard/talk/1641295?utm_source=linkshare&referer=HFPDND
Don't shoot the messenger.

779

Jul 11, 2017

sorry man, you're cool. I was caught up in the moment of confusion when i first heard the news. fingers started pointing and some reply in the earlier posts pointed to what you said a few months ago and i thought somehow they remembered about the regulations just now and thus announced the delay. I'm assuming you opt-in as well? You want some advil? Here gimme a hug bro.

Jul 11, 2017

Lol, thanks. This isn't the only project that I've opted in that has been hit by long delays struggling with compliance. I learned about this stuff waiting for the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard and reading their development blog.

779

Jul 11, 2017

Yeah we learn a thing or two everyday. For the time being i'm gonna hold off on the drops on MD until my stuff arrive at my doorstep around late october. It's weird having to forget that i have spent significant amount of money on things that i wanted badly at the time but end up getting it way later when the desire died down somewhat. I imagine the odd feeling i will have when i get it in the mail and be like meh i'll open it later. Then chucks it in the storage, ya know?

SpectreiiI

149

Jul 12, 2017

Petch

Words made famous by the crew of the titanic. Not a joke.

chewzerita

Jul 15, 2017