Pride Boxter Owner's Manual page 10

Has anyone been injured by the erratic, unintended motion of an electric PMV?
The FDA has reports of injuries that resulted from uncontrolled motion of electric PMVs, but it is not clear
just how many of those injuries were actually caused by EMI/RFI.
Are all PMVs susceptible to EMI/RFI?
Each make and model of electric PMV differs in its ability to resist EMI/RFI. That is, each PMV has a
particular level of resistance to EMI/RFI. This resistance is measured in volts per meter (V/m). A higher
resistance level offers greater protection against EMI/RFI. In other words, an electric PMV with a high
resistance level is less likely to be affected by a strong radio source than is an electric PMV with a low
resistance level.
What is the FDA doing about the problem?
The FDA has written to electric PMVs manufacturers and requested that those manufacturers test their new
PMV models to be certain that they provide a reasonable degree of resistance against EMI/RFI. The FDA
has stated that all newly manufactured models of electric PMVs should have a resistance level of at least 20
V/m. This resistance level provides a reasonable degree of protection against the common sources of EMI/
RFI.
The FDA has also requested or recommended that:
Electric PMV manufacturers clearly label new products with that product’s resistance level or state that
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the resistance level is not known.
The labeling or informational material supplied with new electric PMVs must explain what the resis-
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tance level means and warn users about the possibility of EMI/RFI and how to avoid it.
Electric PMV manufacturers undertake an educational program to inform electrical PMV users and
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their caregivers about the problems associated with EMI/RFI and about the actions they can take to
minimize the risk of EMI/RFI.
While there is no exact way to tell if your PMV is totally safe, an immunity level of 20 V/m (May 1994)
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is generally achievable and useful. Adding accessories and components or modifying the unit may
change the susceptibility to EMI/RFI.
What can I do to find out if my Boxster is likely to be affected by EMI/RFI?
If you have had your Boxster for some time and have not experienced any unintended motion, it is not
likely that you will have a problem in the future. However, it is always possible that EMI problems could
arise if you are close to a source of radio waves. Therefore, it is very important for you to be alert to this
possibility. The Boxster PMV meets or exceeds a resistance level of at least 20 V/m.
What can I do to reduce the risk of my Boxster being affected by EMI/RFI?
Here are some precautions you can take:
Do not turn on or use hand-held personal communications devices, such as citizen’s band (CB) radios
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and cellular phones, while your Boxster is turned on.
Be aware of nearby radio wave transmitters, such as radio or TV stations and hand-held or mobile two-
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way radios. Try not to operate your Boxster too close to those transmitters. For example, if you are on
an electric PMV with a resistance level of at least 20 V/m, you should remain at least three feet from a
hand-held two-way radio and at least ten feet from a mobile two-way radio.
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I I I . E M I / R F I
Boxter