Jet12/RevC/Feb03
www.pridemobility.com
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What is the FDA doing about the problem?
The FDA has written to electric mobility vehicle manufacturers and requested that they test their new
products to be sure that they provide a reasonable degree of immunity against EMI/RFI. The letter states
that electric mobility vehicles should have an immunity level of at least 20 V/m. This provides a reasonable
degree of protection against the common sources of EMI/RFI.
The FDA has also requested or recommended that:
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Electric mobility vehicle manufacturers clearly label new products with their immunity level or state
that the immunity level is not known.
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The labeling or informational material supplied with new electric mobility vehicles must explain what
the immunity level means and warn users about the possibility of EMI/RFI and how to avoid it.
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Electric mobility vehicle manufacturers undertake an educational program to inform users and their
caregivers about the problems associated with EMI/RFI and about the actions they can take to minimize
the risk of EMI/RFI.
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While there is no exact way to tell if your electric mobility vehicle is totally safe from EMI/RFI, an
immunity level of 20 V/m is generally achievable and useful. This product has been tested and passed
at an immunity level of 20 V/m.
What can I do to find out if my power chair is likely to be affected by EMI/RFI?
If you have owned your power chair for a long time and have not experienced unintended motion, it is
unlikely that you will have problems in the future. However, it is always possible that problems could arise
if your power chair is close to a source of radio waves. Therefore, it is very important to be alert to this
possibility. Your power chair meets or exceeds an immunity level of at least 20 V/m.
What can I do to reduce the risk that my power chair could be affected by EMI/RFI?
Here are some precautions you can take:
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Do not turn on or use hand-held personal communications devices, such as citizens band (CB) radios
and cellular phones, while the power chair is on.
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Be aware of nearby transmitters such as radio or TV stations and hand-held or mobile two-way radios,
and try not to come close to them. For example, if you are in a power chair with an immunity level of 20
V/m, you should remain at least three feet from a hand-held two-way radio and ten feet from a mobile
two-way radio.
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Be aware that adding accessories and/or components or modifying the power chair may make it more
susceptible to interference from radio wave sources.
What should I do if my power chair moves unexpectedly?
If unintended motion or brake release occurs, turn the power chair off as soon as it is safe to do so. Call
Pride at 800-424-8205 to report the incident.
I I I . E M I / R F I
Are all electric mobility vehicles susceptible to EMI/RFI?
Each make and model differs in its ability to resist EMI/RFI. Each electric mobility vehicle has a particular
level of immunity to EMI/RFI. This immunity is measured in volts per meter (V/m). A higher immunity
level offers greater protection. In other words, a power chair with a high immunity level is less likely to be
affected by a strong radio source than one with a low immunity level.
