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Using Your Treo 700w Smartphone 251
Regulatory Information
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) each regulate wireless
telephones. FCC ensures that all wireless phones sold in the
United States follow safety guidelines that limit radio frequency
(RF) energy. FDA monitors the health effects of wireless
telephones. Each agency has the authority to take action if a
wireless phone produces hazardous levels of RF energy.
FDA derives its authority to regulate wireless telephones from
the Radiation Control provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (originally enacted as the Radiation Control for
Health and Safety Act of 1968).
[http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/comp/eprc.html
].
FCC derives its authority to regulate wireless telephones from
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the
Telecommunications Act of 1996
h
ttp://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html]. Updated 7/16/2003
Hands-Free Capability
All CTIA Certified portable products provide the consumer with
a toll-free number for the purchase of a compatible hands-free
device. 1-800-881-7256
STATIC ELECTRICITY, ESD, AND YOUR PALM DEVICE
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause damage to electronic
devices if discharged into the device, so you should take steps to
avoid such an occurrence.
Description of ESD
Static electricity is an electrical charge caused by the buildup of
excess electrons on the surface of a material. To most people,
static electricity and ESD are nothing more than annoyances. For
example, after walking over a carpet while scuffing your feet,
building up electrons on your body, you may get a shock—the
discharge event—when you touch a metal doorknob. This little
shock discharges the built-up static electricity.
ESD-susceptible equipment
Even a small amount of ESD can harm circuitry, so when
working with electronic devices, take measures to help protect
your electronic devices, including your Palm
®
device, from ESD
harm. While Palm has built protections against ESD into its
products, ESD unfortunately exists and, unless neutralized, could
build up to levels that could harm your equipment. Any
electronic device that contains an external entry point for
plugging in anything from cables to docking stations is
susceptible to entry of ESD. Devices that you carry with you, such
as your Palm device, build up ESD in a unique way because the
static electricity that may have built up on your body is
automatically passed to the device. Then, when the device is
connected to another device such as a docking station, a
discharge event can occur.
Precautions against ESD
Make sure to discharge any built-up static electricity from
yourself and your electronic devices before touching an
electronic device or connecting one device to another. The
recommendation from Palm is that you take this precaution
before connecting your Palm device to your computer, placing
the device in a cradle, or connecting it to any other device. You
can do this in many ways, including the following:
• Ground yourself when you’re holding your device by
simultaneously touching a metal surface that is at earth ground.
For example, if your computer has a metal case and is plugged
into a standard three-prong grounded outlet, touching the case
should discharge the ESD on your body.
• Increase the relative humidity of your environment.
• Install ESD-specific prevention items, such as grounding mats.
Conditions that enhance ESD occurrences
Conditions that can contribute to the buildup of static electricity
in the environment include the following:
• Low relative humidity.
• Material type (The type of material gathering the charge. For
example, synthetics are more prone to static buildup than
natural fibers like cotton.)
• The rapidity with which you touch, connect, or disconnect
electronic devices.
While you should always take appropriate precautions to
discharge static electricity, if you are in an environment where
you notice ESD events, you may want to take extra precautions
to protect your electronic equipment against ESD.