Alante´ GP201 Manual
Revised 9-14-07
11
EMI / RFI
The rapid development of electronics, especially in the area of communications,
has saturated our environment with electromagnetic (radio) waves that are
emitted by television transmitters, cellular phones, citizen’s band radios (CBs)
amateur radios (HAM radios), wireless computers links, microwave
transmitters, paging transmitters, etc. These electromagnetic (EM) waves are
invisible and increase in strength the closer one gets to the source of
transmission. When these energy waves act upon electrical devices and cause
them to malfunction or to function in an erratic or uncontrolled manner, they
are referred to as Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) or Radio Frequency
Interference (RFI).
EMI / RFI AND YOUR ALANTE´
™
All electrically powered vehicles, including power chairs are susceptible to EMI
/ RFI. This interference could result in abnormal or unintended movement of
your Golden Alante´
.
The FDA has determined that each make and model of power chair can resist
EMI/RFI to a certain level. The higher the level of immunity, the greater the
degree of protection from EMI/RFI measured in volts per meter (V/m). The FDA
has also determined that current technology is capable of providing 20 V/m of
immunity to EMI/RFI, which would provide useful protection against common
sources of interference.
Based on that determination, the FDA has written to the manufacturers of
power wheel-chairs and asked them to test their new products to be certain
that they provide a reasonable degree of immunity to EMI/RFI. The FDA
suggests that power chairs should have an immunity level of 20 V/m. The
resistance level of the Golden Alante´ is unknown.
EMI / RFI RECOMMENDATIONS
•
Do not turn on or use hand-held personal electronic communication
devices such as cellular phones, walkie-talkies, or CB radios while your
power chair is turned on.
•
Be aware of any nearby transmitters (radio, television, microwave, etc.)
on your intended route and avoid operation your of power chair close to
any of those transmitters.
•
Turn off the power if your Alante´ is going to be in a stationary position
for any length of time.
•
Be aware that adding accessories or components or modifying your
power chair may make it more susceptible to EMI / RFI.
•
If unintended movement or brake release occurs, turn your power chair
off as soon as it is safe to do so.
•
Report all incidents of unintended movement or brake failure to your
Golden Technologies representative or to Golden Technologies.
TURN OFF YOUR POWER CHAIR AS SOON AS IT IS SAFELY
POSSIBLE IF UNINTENDED OR UNCONTROLLABLE MOTION OCCURS OR
IF UNINTENDED BRAKE RELEASE OCCURS.