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14 WWW.PRIDEMOBILITY.COM JAZZY 1122/REV D/FEB 03
III. EMI/RFI
Laboratory tests performed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have shown that radio waves can cause
unintended motion of powered wheelchairs. Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic energy (EM). When this
energy adversely affects the operation of an electronic device, it is called Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
or Radio Frequency Interference (RFI).
WARNING! Radio waves may interfere with the control of powered wheelchairs.
EMI/RFIFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
The following FAQs summarize what you should know about EMI/RFI. Use this information to minimize the risk
that EMI/RFI will affect your power chair.
Where do radio waves come from?
Radio waves are emitted from the antennas of cellular phones, mobile two-way radios (such as walkie-talkies),
radio stations, TV stations, amateur radio (HAM) transmitters, wireless computer links, microwave sources, and
paging transmitters. Radio waves are a form of EM. Because electromagnetic energy is more intense closer to the
transmitting antenna (source of emission), the EM fields from two-way radios are of special concern to power
chair users.
If my power chair is affected by EMI/RFI, what kind of motion should I expect?
This is hard to predict. It would depend on a number of factors:
n Strength of the radio waves
n Construction of the power chair
n Position of the power chair (whether it is on level ground or on an incline)
n Whether or not the power chair is in motion
An affected wheelchairs movement can be erratic. It may move by itself or come to a sudden stop. Furthermore,
it is possible for EMI/RFI to unexpectedly release the brakes on a power chair. Some intense sources of EMI/RFI
can even damage the control system of your Jazzy.
Is there any way to know for sure whether radio waves are responsible for the unintended motion
of my power chair?
Unfortunately, interference from radio wave sources may be difficult to recognize, since the signals from these
sources are invisible and may be intermittent. However, the FDA recommends that you report all incidents of
unintended motion or brake release to the power chair manufacturer and, if possible, note whether there was a
radio wave source nearby at the time of the incident.
Has anyone been hurt from erratic, unintended motion of powered wheelchairs?
The FDA has reports of injuries that resulted from the apparent uncontrolled motion of powered wheelchairs.
However, it is unclear how many of these incidents were actually caused by radio wave interference.