Industry Canada: New Issue on Electromagnetic Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) Devices

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Wireless power transfer is essentially the transmission of power (electrical) from a power source to a consuming device with no conductors or solid wires. A device transmits power through electromagnetic fields across an intervening space to a receiver device, where it gets converted back into electric power.


All Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) Devices are now under only one Industry Standard, adding convenience and breaking the previous mold of multiple series, creating an exception from the normal numbering system in Industry Canada’s new Issue 2, of Industry Canada’s RSS-216. This issue contains details to determine the category of WPT devices. These devices are either license-exempt radio apparatus or interference-causing equipment that operate on a no-protection, no interference basis.

Type 1 WPT devices are classified as ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical), interference-causing equipment, with the wireless being incapable of transmitting any intelligent communication. These devices are still subject to RF exposure regulations under Health Canada mandated under the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations and the Radiation Emitting Devices Act. The importer or manufacturer of a Type 1 Wireless Power Transfer device must determine through the Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau if additional technical and/or administrative requirements need to be applied in addition to RSS-216 before placing the model of the device into the Canadian Marketplace. The Bureau can be contacted through email at CCRPB-PCRPCC@hc-sc.gc.ca, or via online inquiry. These devices do not require certification.

Type 2 WPT Devices are classified as Category II radio apparatus devices and include all devices that can not be classified as type 1, but do follow two conditions. The fundamental emission(s) is(are) below 490 kHz and all emissions radiated by the WPT device are demonstrated to be at minimum 40 dB below general field strength limits for license-exempt radio apparatus (set out in RSS-GEN for below 30 MHz and also for above 30 MHz). These devices must comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 RF limits but are exempt from RF exposure and/or SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) in RSS-102 routine evaluation. These devices do not require certification.

Type 3 WPT Devices are Category I radio apparatus including all WPT Systems and Devices that can not be classified as type 1 or type 2. These devices and systems do require certification under RSS-GEN. Examples of these Type 3 devices include WPT devices using a using a different frequency than the power transfer frequency for data transfer, control, and signaling including signaling for power transfer management. WPT devices can also be devices using load modulation techniques on the power transfer frequency for prioritization of devices for music files, images, the transmission of data, charging, and/or for communication-related to power transfer management. All Type 3 Wireless Power Transfer devices must comply with the applicable requirements of RSS-102, except those meeting the entirety of the conditions listed in 5.5.3 of RSS-216, as well as the requirement of a TAC (Technical Acceptance Certificate) in RSS-GEN. The certification application should follow procedures set out in RSP-100.

WPT client devices are defined as a device capable of receiving wireless power, (only to receive it) but may include intentional radiators, like for power management to signal the WPT source, other than for power transfer. These clients are excluded from the scope of this standard if they do not have any wireless transmitters. No requirements apply to receive-only client WPT devices, nonetheless, other Industry Canada standards may still be applicable.

A WPT source is defined as a device that is directly connected (like through a wired connection) to a power source (like a battery or some other source of electrical power or an AC mains) which is capable of wireless power transfer to one or more WPT client devices. Whether or not the source and client devices are marketed together as a system, and if the client(s) are intended to operate with other WPT device models, determines whether the WPT system needs to be tested as a system or each source and client need to be tested individually to meet requirements.

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High-powered WPT devices, such as those used for charging vehicles, devices transferring wireless power over a greater distance than 10 cm, and medical devices with wireless power transfer capability may be required to comply with additional instructions for test setup, technical requirements, and/or specific test procedures. For these high-powered WPT devices, an inquiry must be submitted to the Directorate of Regulatory Standards (DRS) of Industry Canada at res.nmr@ic.gc.ca before verifying compliance with RSS-216. The inquiry must include adequate information on the technology and operations of the device to permit the Department to define the appropriate administrative and technical requirements for the specific device.

A transition period of 6 months has been given and either Issue 1 or Issue 2 will be accepted for compliance during this period. Test methods and provisions of the equipment under test (EUT) were added specifically to WPT devices. Minimum requirements for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) devices, WPT receivers (clients), and WPT transmitters (sources) were specified in RSS-216 issue 2… ( read more )

As an FCB designated facility by Industry Canada, HCT America can provide approval, testing, and compliance resources via Worldwide Certification Services.


Article: “HCT America”
Editor: “Amy Jones”
Images: “E. Tech & Legit R.”