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ARTICLE · 28 AUGUST 2026

FCC Clarifies Covered List For Power Inverters And Advanced Robotic Devices

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The Federal Communications Commission has revised its Covered List to expand restrictions on foreign-produced power inverters and clarify the scope of advanced robotic devices subject...

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Caroline E. Brown
Caroline E. Brown
Rajeev Raghavan
Rajeev Raghavan
Dmitry Bergoltsev
Dmitry Bergoltsev

What You Need to Know

Key takeaway #1

Wired Power Inverters Are Covered: The FCC has confirmed that the power inverter entry on the Covered List was always intended to cover wired connectivity, including Ethernet — not just Wi-Fi and cellular — meaning companies that assumed their Ethernet-connected or “connectivity-optional” inverters were in the clear should revisit that analysis immediately.

Key takeaway #2

Power Inverter Scope Is Narrowed — and a Major New Exemption Created: The revised definition limits coverage to utility-interactive inverters only (defined in UL 1741 §§ 2.1.23, 2.1.52), and power inverters eligible for the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit are no longer treated as “foreign-produced” at all — a significant carve-out that companies should evaluate.

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