Do all light fixtures have to be UL certified?
Any manufacturer can produce lights and light fixtures without undergoing testing from UL or a third-party laboratory and freely sell these products to consumers. However, many governments at varying levels require that light fixtures have UL certification when used in specific contexts.
What are the different types of ul listings for lighting?
It is no surprise that there are different types of UL Listings specifically for lighting. The three different designations for UL Lighting include: According to UL Standard 1598, a product that is UL Listed for Dry Locations can be used in places that do not typically experience dampness.
Do LED strip lights need to be UL listed?
In other words, LED strip lights must be listed (UL/ETL or otherwise) as a part of a listed lighting system (e.g. LED strip lighting kit), or listed separately as one of the components of an assembled system. Are LED strips exempt from UL requirements under NEC because they fall under Class 2?
Is there an alternative to UL for electrical fixtures?
ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories), another U.S.-based testing laboratory, is an alternative to UL. Approval from Canada’s own testing laboratory, CSA ( Canadian Standards Assn. ), is required on fixtures manufactured in that country or imported from other countries.
Does a light fixture have to be UL listed?
With so many available markings from separate entities, many individuals wonder if lights require a listing at all. Simply put, they don't. Any manufacturer can produce lights and light fixtures without undergoing testing from UL or a third-party laboratory and freely sell these products to consumers.
Is UL listing mandatory?
Having a UL listed certified unit is not legally required. It is, however, a common practice because many large companies will only buy equipment that has passed the UL safety tests.
What is UL rating for light fixtures?
3! Simply put: A UL light is a bulb that has been tested by Underwriters Laboratory and declared safe for use by consumers.
Can you use non UL listed electrical products?
No, UL approval is not legally required. It's only common because many large companies will not buy equipment that has not passed UL's safety tests.
What devices require UL certification?
Specifically, the equipment addressed by UL includes the following main categories:Electrical components.Electronic equipment.Wire and cable.Appliances.IT.Fire protection and fire suppression equipment.Signalling alarms.Equipment for use in hazardous locations.
Do all electronics need UL certification?
Technically, UL certification isn't absolutely required to sell your product in the U.S. But, if the product does plug into an AC electrical outlet you would be crazy to not get this certification.
Are Ikea light fixtures safe?
All children's lighting products from IKEA pass the toughest safety tests, so you can be sure your child is safe. LED bulbs mean sustainable light for all the kids' the future too.
Are LED bulbs UL Listed?
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 30, 2009 -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in safety testing and certification services, announced today the publication of ANSI/UL 8750, Safety Standard for Light Emitting Diode (LED) Equipment for Use in Lighting Products.
Are Ikea lights CSA approved?
IKEA Canada on Twitter: "@CatOnTransit We verified and all of our lighting products are CSA approved." / Twitter.
What if something is not UL listed?
Just because a product is not UL recognized and tested doesn't mean it's going to spontaneously combust. It simply means that its performance and safety haven't been tested independently and verified to meet those safety standards.
How important is UL certification?
UL Certification is the top-rated safety certification in the world because their testing process is more rigorous and comprehensive than other certifications in a number of important ways. First, Underwriter Laboratories test for three separate facets of product safety: Electrical safety. Fire safety.
Why are UL lights rated?
When it comes to light fixtures, consumers often choose UL rated products because they prioritize safety and efficacy.
What is UL lighting?
UL maintains testing and evaluation standards for a spectrum of industries and can officially label manufacturers with various UL certifications and listings. It is no surprise that there are different types of UL Listings specifically for lighting. The three different designations for UL Lighting include:
What is a damp rated light fixture?
“Damp Rated” light fixtures are UL Listed products that have the distinction Suitable for Damp Locations. Although “Wet Rated” products, which meet more strict water-based standards, can be used in damp locations, it’s important to remember damp locations are limited. A damp location is considered one that accumulates moisture or condensation frequently and is located near or on electrical components like a lighting fixture.
What is CSA light?
Another common light fixture marking is a CSA Mark labeled by the Canadian-based company, CSA Group. Like UL, CSA Group has decades of experience providing standardized testing for products in markets around the globe. Although this company is international and doesn’t receive regulation from OSHA, CSA Group is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in the United States.
What is an ETL certified mark?
An ETL Listed Mark is a certification given to products that have undergone testing through the company Intertek. Intertek is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and they can use UL or ULC standards when testing products in North America.
What is Underwriters Laboratories?
Underwriters Laboratories is a not-for-profit testing laboratory that conducts tests on the quality and safety of a variety of products. As the largest testing company in the world, UL: Maintains consistency in its testing and quality assessment procedures. Ensures all products undergo the same level of evaluation.
What does UL mean on a product?
This marking, known as a UL listing, means the product has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories for fire safety and electrical safety.
Chapter 2: What does UL Rated mean?
Before any lighting (electronic) product is released for consumption by the general public, it has to pass through Underwriters Laboratories for testing.
Chapter 3: What is UL Rating for Light Fixtures?
Although some may refer to it as UL listing, both terms have a similar meaning.
Chapter 4: What Is a UL Light?
Now that we know what UL stands for and how it works, understanding what a UL light is as easy as counting 1.2.3!
Chapter 6: Does The U.S. Require UL Approval?
We know that UL certification is important as it affirms that a product is safe to use and has met the set standards.
Chapter 7: How Do You Get UL Certification?
Years ago before the world was made a global village by the internet, you had to physically visit UL offices.
Chapter 7: Where Or How Do I Get A UL Light Fixture?
Distinguishing between a light fixture that’s UL certified and one that’s not is easy.
What is UL testing?
UL, formerly known as Underwriters Laboratory, is an agency that both develops product safety standards and performs product testing to see if they meet safety standards. Although UL develops many of these standards, other Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) can also perform testing against the same UL standards.
Do LED lights have to be listed?
In other words, LED strip lights must be listed (UL/ETL or otherwise) as a part of a listed lighting system (e.g. LED strip lighting kit), or listed separately as one of the components of an assembled system.
Is UL2108 a UL listing?
So, following the NEC requirements leads us to the conclusion that LED strips are not exempt from UL listing requirements, and that UL2108 (IFDR) is the standard that should be used in evaluating LED strip products.
Is it illegal to install non-listed LED lights?
What is very important to note is that the NEC regulations and requirements are not mandated by law, and it is therefore not illegal to install non-listed LED strips.
Is LED lighting black and white?
For other situations, however, it is less black and white, and more about your own assessment of the risks involved. It is certainly true that many of the risks of electric shock and fire are lower for LED strips, that does at all mean that they are eliminated or nonexistent.
Does UL testing include longevity?
Keep in mind that UL standards do not involve product performance, longevity or quality. So while a UL listed product may have gone through more stringent testing, this is solely based on an assessment of whether the product poses a shock or fire risk.
Is it illegal to sell 120V bulbs?
In fact, buying and selling 120V AC light bulbs without UL listing is not illegal either, however, the risks here are significantly higher and therefore you will see very few sellers who do this, and buyers of these unlisted products take on significant injury and financial risk, likely without any legal recourse.
What is UL testing?
A.: UL ( Underwriters Laboratories) is a testing facility for light fixtures (and other electrical devices) that vouches for the safety of the product. Electricians won’t install non-UL fixtures, and inspectors won’t allow them on jobs. Without a UL label, you have no idea how potentially dangerous a fixture may be.
When is the new book Beautiful Light coming out?
His Latest book Beautiful Light outlines how to create successful and subtly beautiful LED lighting designs for homes and gardens. It is due out August 2021.
Changing label requirements
When your products have earned the UL Mark, you want the world to know it; the authorization to apply a UL Mark label to a product is a critical piece of the certification process. We’ve listened to lighting industry feedback and are implementing a simplified approach to labeling.
What is changing?
UL will be phasing out holographic labels and certain other types that are currently ordered through a UL Label Center for lighting manufacturers in 2021 and moving to a non-holographic label employing an enhanced mark (approved through our UL Marks Hub) in its place.
How do the new printing choices work?
Step 1: UL Mark design. Visit our Marks Hub to design your Mark. Here you will get your Label artwork approval. Get a one-time stamped approval from our UL Label Center. You can submit your artwork review request here .
Why is UL making this change? Why now?
We recognize that lighting manufacturers appreciate the added flexibility and control over their product labeling, as well as lower out of pocket costs.
What is the timeline for this change, and what should be done with spare labels?
The changeover will begin Jan. 1, 2021. UL will continue to offer the old labels to lighting manufacturers until stock is depleted.
Migration Timeline
UL will send you communications to remind you of these key steps in the label migration.
FAQs
A. Start with taking an inventory of your holographic and serialized (Type L) label stocks for the product categories covered by the bulletin. This will help you determine a schedule for depleting them by the extended Dec. 31, 2021, effective date.
What Does UL Listed Mean?
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a global safety consulting and certification company headquartered in the United States. Before we sell our light fixtures into the United States or Canada (and dozens of other countries), we ensure that our light fixtures are tested by Underwriters Laboratories to ensure the highest safety standards.
Do UL Listed Light Fixtures Look Different?
As a European lighting manufacturing, by default, all of our light fixtures are designed and manufactured to European standards. All of the photography on our website illustrates our light fixtures as manufactured to European standards and specifications.
What Are the Visual Differences?
Although the difference between our European standard light fixtures and our UL listed light fixtures is small, some are noticeable and worth highlighting. Each possible visual discrepancy is listed below with images to better illustrate each alteration.
