RF Exposure Testing and MPE Evaluation Services
Compatible Electronics provides RF exposure evaluation and testing services to ensure wireless devices comply with human exposure limits established by the FCC, Industry Canada, and international bodies. Our NVLAP accredited laboratory performs MPE evaluations and field measurements per FCC OET 65, RSS-102, and IEEE C95.3-2021. Devices requiring full SAR testing are referred to specialized partner SAR laboratories.
NVLAP Accredited
FCC Listed Lab
ISO/IEC 17025:2017
IEEE C95.3-2021
RSS-102 Accredited
What is RF Exposure Testing?
RF exposure testing evaluates whether a device's electromagnetic field emissions comply with maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits for human exposure. The required evaluation method depends on the device type, operating frequency, transmit power level, and typical use scenario (body-worn, portable, fixed-mount, or mobile). All wireless devices sold in the US must demonstrate RF exposure compliance as part of FCC equipment authorization.
Evaluation Methods
MPE — Maximum Permissible Exposure
For devices used at a fixed distance from the body (20 cm or more). Evaluated through power density calculations at specified separation distances per FCC OET 65 and RSS-102. Most common evaluation method for WiFi routers, access points, IoT sensors, and industrial wireless equipment.
Computational Analysis
Power density and field strength calculations at specified separation distances. Used to determine whether MPE evaluation or full SAR testing is required for a given device and use case.
Measurement-Based Evaluation
Electric and magnetic field strength measurements per IEEE C95.3-2021 at applicable distances. Required when calculation alone is not sufficient to demonstrate compliance.
SAR — Specific Absorption Rate
For body-worn and handheld devices with transmitters operating near or against the body. SAR testing is performed at specialized partner SAR laboratories coordinated by Compatible Electronics.
Standards We Test To
Canada — All 3 Locations
RSS-102 Issue 5 (2015) + A1 (2021)
Radio Frequency RF Exposure Compliance of Radiocommunication Apparatus — All Frequency Bands. Industry Canada RF exposure evaluation standard. Accredited at all three California locations.
USA & International — All 3 Locations
IEEE C95.3-2021
IEEE Recommended Practice for Measurements and Computations of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields with Respect to Human Exposure, 0 Hz to 300 GHz. Accredited at all three California locations.
USA — FCC Framework
FCC OET Bulletin 65 (incl. Supplement C)
FCC guidelines for evaluating the environmental effects of RF radiation. Primary framework for all FCC RF exposure compliance determinations for wireless equipment authorizations.
EU — RED Article 3.1(a)
EN 62311
Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz). EU equivalent for RED safety requirements.
Note: IEEE C95.1 establishes the RF exposure safety limits referenced by FCC and ISED. Compatible Electronics is accredited for IEEE C95.3-2021, which provides the measurement and computation methods used to demonstrate compliance with those limits.
Products Requiring RF Exposure Evaluation
- WiFi routers, access points, and client devices
- Bluetooth and BLE devices
- Zigbee, Z-Wave, and sub-GHz IoT devices
- LoRa and LPWAN sensors
- NFC readers and HF RFID initiators
- UHF RFID readers
- Wearable devices — watches, fitness trackers, medical monitors
- Industrial wireless transmitters and IIoT sensors
- Mobile hotspots and portable WiFi devices
- Body-worn transmitters — SAR evaluation coordinated through partner laboratories
Our RF Exposure Services
Assessment & Calculations
- RF exposure assessment — determination of applicable evaluation method
- MPE calculations at specified separation distances per FCC OET 65 and RSS-102
- Separation distance determination for fixed-mount, portable, and body-worn configurations
Measurements & Reporting
- Electric and magnetic field measurements per IEEE C95.3-2021
- Multi-radio simultaneous exposure evaluation
- RF exposure report preparation in FCC, ISED, and RED filing format
- Coordination of SAR testing at partner laboratories for body-worn devices
SAR Testing Note: For devices requiring full SAR testing — including mobile phones, body-worn transmitters, and devices designed to be held against the body — Compatible Electronics coordinates with specialized SAR partner laboratories. We perform the RF exposure determination to identify whether SAR testing is required, and manage the coordination with the SAR lab to complete the full RF exposure compliance package.
Real-World Testing Examples
WiFi Access Point — Fixed-Mount MPE
A commercial networking manufacturer required RF exposure evaluation for a ceiling-mount WiFi 6 access point transmitting at maximum power across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Compatible Electronics performed MPE calculations per FCC OET 65 at the minimum installation height above occupants, confirming that combined power from both radios in simultaneous operation remained below MPE limits at the 20 cm evaluation distance. The RF exposure report was included in the FCC ID filing package submitted to the TCB.
Industrial LoRa Sensor — Body-Worn Exclusion Evaluation
A manufacturing company needed RF exposure evaluation for a LoRaWAN sensor worn on a worker's belt. Compatible Electronics performed the RF exposure determination per FCC OET 65, confirming that the low-power LoRa module's output — combined with the 20 cm separation distance maintained by the belt-clip mounting — satisfied MPE limits without requiring SAR testing, avoiding the cost and schedule of a full SAR evaluation.
BLE + NFC Wearable — Multi-Radio Exposure
A digital health company needed combined RF exposure evaluation for a wrist-worn monitor containing both a BLE radio and an NFC initiator. Compatible Electronics evaluated both radios simultaneously, calculating MPE for BLE at 20 cm wrist separation and confirming that NFC inductive field strength at contact distance met Part 15.225 and EN 62311 limits. The combined exposure evaluation was included in FCC, ISED, and RED filing packages for all three regulatory markets.
Why Choose Compatible Electronics?
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NVLAP Accredited (Lab Codes 200063-0, 200527-0, 200528-0)
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 compliant, ILAC-MRA signatory, and FCC Listed Test Laboratory.
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RSS-102 & IEEE C95.3-2021 Accredited
Accredited for RSS-102 Issue 5 + A1 and IEEE C95.3-2021 at all three California locations.
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FCC + ISED + RED in One Package
RF exposure evaluation for FCC, ISED, and RED (EN 62311) delivered in a single combined report.
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SAR Partner Lab Coordination
Partner SAR laboratory coordination for body-worn devices requiring full SAR testing.
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Integrated with Full Certification
RF exposure report delivered as part of the full FCC/ISED/CE marking certification package — no separate engagement needed.
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3 California Locations
Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, and Newbury Park — fast turnaround options available.
Ready for RF Exposure Evaluation?
Contact us for MPE evaluation and RF exposure testing services.
Also reach us at: Brea 714-579-0500 · Newbury Park 805-480-4044
www.celectronics.com
