QUOTE (Gary)Nobody is doubting or questioning that the NMRA are an organisation beyond reproach and with honourable values. Simon Kohler indicated in his Model Rail interview that European EMC is not recognised in the United States as a legal requirement there. He also indicated that the NMRA appear not to recognise EMC either.
Unless I am mistaken this is the only reference in the NMRA DCC standard that relates to FCC/CE
requirements:-
Gary you just summed it up perfectly! you say that european EMC is not recognised in the US, then you point out that it is!
the EMC is part of CE and that is recognised in the NMRA standard. not only that but it would be a legal requirement of the manufacturer to comply with these standards. they can not 'opt-out' of CE!
QUOTE (Gary)The use of "and/or" is ambiguous and implies options. One or the other or both. American FCC standards are lower than European CE standards as they relate to EMC. It would be easier to meet the American FCC standard. Whilst there appear to be assurances made by the NMRA or their representative that manufacturers are aware of their obligations in this regard in order that they may claim that equipment is compliant with local regulations in whichever market they supply to, the NMRA do not police this or carry out any form of spot checks. The values of the NMRA may differ somewhat from the values of the manufacturers. What assurances do the NMRA get from manufacturers that equipement which satisfies American FCC standards only will not be the same equipment sold in Europe?
Gary this is irelevant. a unit cannot be sold in the uk unless it complies with CE. yes it would be easier to meet FCC standards but whats the point?? it couldnt be sold in the UK!!!!!
QUOTE (Gary)And what about American grey imports into Europe?
What about them? A UNIT CANNOT BE SOLD IN THE UK UNLESS IT MEETS CE - PERIOD.
QUOTE (Gary)When it comes to the NMRA DCC standard for the signal wave there is only one acceptable waveform. This part of the standard has not been modified since 1994 it would seem. Yet the European CE regulations have been modified significantly since this date. This may have been the point Simon Kohler was making in his interview and if it was he could have made it clearer. The NMRA standard appears not to keep up with legislation outside the USA and to accomodate regulation as it changes if this is indeed the case. What I would say is that Stan Ames in his book "Digital Command Control" does make reference to circumstances where non standard signal waves may be required and does suggest that the NMRA can be accomodating. That is how I read what is said by Stan.
Gary again this is irelevant. the hornby unit is outputting a very high peak voltage. this is putting tromendous strain on the chips. its like if you buy a vauxhall. its a car and it works. you put in unleaded petrol and it works. if you put in methanol it will work-but for how long? just like the DCC signal it will put strain on the components. they are being asked to deal with extreams they were never designed for. this is the problem and is far far more important than weather it has an NMRA badge.
If you put the wrong fuel in your car the warrenty will be void. will we void the warrenty on the chips if we place our loco's on a track powered by the select? do we void the warrenty on hornby's own chips but using the select with it?
If you were a chip manufacturer, do you now design your chips to meet the recognised standard or the selects waveform? if its the latter then what will happen next week when some other manufacturer comes up with another waveform? do we then design chips to acomodate that one as well? Where will it end?? this is exactly why the standard is there.
I am very glad someone has brought this issue out into the open. we can at last talk about it properly.
Peter
