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Compass Onwer’s Manual – Models GP600 SS, GP600 CC, GP601SS, GP601 CC Revised 060208
9
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 computer 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 Compass
™
All electrically powered vehicles, including power chairs are susceptible to EMI/RFI.
This interference could result in abnormal, unintended movement of a power
wheelchair.
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
wheelchairs 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 immunity level of the Compass
™
is unknown.
EMI/RFI RECOMMENDATIONS
♦ Do not turn on or use hand-held personal electronic communication devices such as
cellular phones, walkie-talkies, and CB radios while your power chair is turned on.
♦ Be aware of any nearby transmitters (radio, television, microwave, etc.) on your in-
tended route and avoid operating your chair close to any of those transmitters.
♦ Turn off the power if your Compass
™
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 repre-
sentative or to Golden Technologies, Inc. at (800) 624-6374.
Turn off your power chair as soon as it is safely possible if
unintended or uncontrollable motion occurs or if unintended brake
release occurs.