Safety & Compliance
Safety & Compliance
Safety guidelines, handling rules, and regulatory certifications for the ALPON X4 industrial edge IoT computer. Review every section before powering, mounting, or deploying the device in the field.
The ALPON X4 is a fanless, industrial edge computer rated for -20 to +60 °C, IP40, and powered by one of three inputs: 9–30 V DC, USB-C PD (27 W minimum), or PoE+ IEEE 802.3at on the ETH/G port (PoE variant only). Do not connect Ethernet or PoE cables to the GPIO Add-on port. The device is in the certification process for CE, FCC, IC, UKCA, RoHS, REACH, GCF, ICASA, RCM, and PTCRB.
The GPIO Add-on port uses an RJ45 physical socket but is not an Ethernet or PoE port. Connecting an Ethernet cable or PoE source to this port will cause permanent hardware damage. Use it only with Sixfab GPIO add-on modules.
Safety Reference at a Glance
The key environmental and electrical limits for safe operation of the ALPON edge IoT computer.
General Safety
The ALPON is designed for industrial edge computing deployments in unattended environments. The following rules apply to every installation regardless of power source, mounting orientation, or connectivity configuration.
Power Safety
The ALPON accepts up to three independent power inputs: 9–30 V DC terminal block, USB-C PD, and an optional PoE+ on PoE-variant SKUs. Each input has its own electrical envelope and safety constraints.
How do I power the ALPON safely?
| Input | Range | Minimum Wattage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Terminal Block | 9–30 V DC | 27 W at full load | Reverse polarity protected. 3-pin removable screw terminal. |
| USB-C PD | 15 V PD (sink only) | 27 W min. (15 V / 1.8 A) | Sink-only. No data or power output. Standard 5 V chargers are not supported. |
| PoE+ (Optional) | 37–57 V (IEEE 802.3at) | 25 W delivered | Class 4 injector required. Available on ETH/G only. PoE-variant SKUs only. |
Power Source Selection
DC Terminal Block Wiring
The DC terminal block uses a 3-pin layout with marked polarity. Wire it exactly as shown to avoid tripping the reverse polarity protection.
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| Pin 1 | Chassis Ground (PE) |
| Pin 2 | DC Negative (−) |
| Pin 3 | DC Positive (+), 9–30 V |
For DC power over long cable runs, prefer a 24 V adapter with a sufficiently thick conductor to compensate for voltage drop and deliver enough current at the device. A 12 V source at the far end of a long cable can drop the input close to the lower limit.
USB-C PD Requirements
PoE+ Requirements
ETH/G. Do not connect PoE to the ETH port. The 100 Mbps ETH port does not deliver power to the system.
Thermal Safety & Mounting Orientation
The ALPON is fanless by design to eliminate moving parts that fail over time. The entire top aluminum surface acts as the primary heatsink for the Raspberry Pi CM4 and supporting components. Mounting orientation directly affects sustained throughput.
Antenna & RF Safety
The ALPON exposes four SMA antenna ports for LTE (×2 main + diversity), Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and GNSS. Antennas are essential for cellular connectivity and positioning performance.
How should I handle the antennas?
Port & Connector Safety
Several ALPON ports share physical form factors with unrelated standards. Read the port-specific rules below before cabling.
GPIO Add-on Port: Not an Ethernet Port
The GPIO Add-on port uses an RJ45 jack but exposes 3.3 V GPIO, SPI, UART, and I2C signals, plus a 5 V @ 1 A output rail for attached modules. It is not wired for Ethernet or PoE.
Connecting an Ethernet or PoE cable to the GPIO Add-on port can permanently damage the device. The GPIO lines run at 3.3 V logic; PoE voltage (up to 57 V) will destroy the signal pins and the level shifter. Use the GPIO Add-on port only with Sixfab GPIO add-on modules.
Port Function Quick Reference
| Port | Function | Do Not Use For |
|---|---|---|
| ETH/G | 1 Gbps Ethernet + PoE+ input (PoE variant only) | Power output |
| ETH | 100 Mbps Ethernet | PoE input, power sourcing |
| GPIO Add-on (RJ45) | GPIO / SPI / UART / I2C @ 3.3 V, 5 V @ 1 A out | Ethernet, PoE, any network cable |
| USB-C | Power input (15 V PD sink-only) | USB host, power output, data peripherals |
| USB 2.0 (×2) | USB 2.0 host, 5 V @ 1 A combined output | Power input |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.0 video output, up to 4Kp30 | Video input, USB |
USB 2.0 Port Output Limit
The two USB 2.0 host ports share a combined 5 V @ 1 A total output budget. Plan accordingly when attaching peripherals.
Watchdog & Boot/Burn DIP Switches
Two DIP switches control firmware-level behavior: Watchdog enable/disable and Boot/Burn mode.
Fully disconnect all power sources before changing the Boot/Burn DIP position. Toggling under power leaves the bootloader in an undefined state. Power-cycle the device after toggling.
Regulatory Compliance & Certifications
The ALPON X4 is in the certification process for the markings below, covering safety, electromagnetic compatibility, radio conformity, environmental restrictions, and carrier acceptance for cellular operation.
Certification is in progress for FCC, CE, RoHS, IC, UKCA, GCF, ICASA, RCM, REACH, PTCRB, and operator certifications for North America. Refer to this page for the latest status. Contact [email protected] for current Declaration of Conformity documents.
Applicable Standards
| EMC (EU) | EN 55032, EN 55035, EN IEC 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3 |
| Radio (EU) | EN 300 328, EN 301 511, EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-13 (RED 2014/53/EU) |
| Safety | EN IEC 62368-1 (Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment) |
| RF Exposure | EN 62311, EN 50665 |
| FCC Part | 47 CFR Part 15 Subpart B, Subpart C (unlicensed radio) |
| IC Standard | ICES-003 (Class B), RSS-247, RSS-130 |
The full EU Declaration of Conformity and supporting test reports are available on request from [email protected]. Reference the device model and serial number from the label on the enclosure.
FCC Class B Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference.
- This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Sixfab can void the user's authority to operate the equipment under FCC and IC rules.
Environmental & End-of-Life
The ALPON is designed to meet the EU RoHS, WEEE, and REACH directives. Follow the rules below when the device reaches end-of-life.
Warranty
The ALPON X4 ships with a 2-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. The warranty does not cover damage caused by:
- Power input outside the rated envelope (below 9 V, above 30 V, or non-compliant PoE injectors)
- Connecting Ethernet or PoE cables to the GPIO Add-on port
- Unauthorized modification of firmware, enclosure, or internal modules
- Operation outside the rated environmental envelope (-20 to +60 °C, 95% non-condensing humidity, IP40)
- Physical damage from impact, liquid ingress, or electrostatic discharge
- Failure to follow the safety and usage instructions in this document
Submit warranty claims and support requests through sixfab.com/contact or email [email protected] with the device serial number, purchase date, and a description of the fault.
Next Steps
Updated about 3 hours ago