Product safety certification to UL 913 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations is a unique situation. There are currently two active editions of the standard: 5th and 7th. (The 6th Edition was withdrawn in April 2008 in the sense that the standards writing body did not think any further certifications should be issued to it.)
While both cover the fundamentals of intrinsic safety, there are significant difference between the two; the 7th edition is harmonized with the international requirements of the IEC 60079 series. This results in a more stringent edition of the standard that employs enhanced requirements. A few major enhancements in UL913 7th edition are as follows:
- Electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing on non-metallic enclosures
- Options for reduced spacings (utilizing annex F)
- More detailed guidance on the infallibility of traces
- Incorporates impact and drop testing from 60079 Series
- More detail-oriented battery testing, including: Guidance on the internal energy limiting componentry of the batteries during testing; Electrolyte leakage testing; and conditioning of battery sampling when rechargeable
- Outdoor use products require at a minimum IP 54 testing
Manufacturers must comply with the 7th Edition of UL 913 by July 31, 2016, but are encouraged to transition earlier, especially if selling in international markets.
In addition to NRTL certification, MET offers certification under the ATEX Directive and the IECEx Scheme and for MSHA. Contact us for pricing and lead time.
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