Blog
For New Technologies – Like 3D Printers – What Product Safety Standard Applies?
Product safety compliance for equipment that falls into an established product category is straightforward. But what about new technologies – how are these products evaluated? As a case example, let’s look at 3D printers. 3D printers aren’t new, but they are just now entering the mainstream, with many more manufacturers developing new small desktop versions... Read More
GR-3160-CORE is NEBS Lite for Data Center Equipment
GR-3160-CORE, NEBS Requirements for Telecommunications Data Center Equipment and Spaces, is sometimes described as ‘NEBS Lite.’ It includes important reliability and safety requirements, without the full set of hurdles found in the NEBS telecom standards, like GR-1089-CORE and GR-63-CORE. But what exactly are the differences for equipment evaluation? Following is a basic overview. The test... Read More
UL Safety Standards for Lighting Undergoing Revisions
The only constant? Change. Product safety standards are almost always in some state of being updated. Here is a summary of changes afoot for some of the most popular UL lighting safety standards: UL 1598 – Luminaires (Tri-national standard) The next 2-year revision cycle has started. CSA (the Publication Coordinator) sent proposals to the Technical... Read More
Top 20 Non-Compliance Findings for Panel & Motor-Operated Equipment
Here at MET Labs, we’ve been product safety testing electrical/electronic equipment in the field for over 55 years. Naturally, we see the same failures over and over again. We hope this list of Top 20 Field Failures for Panel & Motor-Operated Equipment will help inspectors identify and contractors fix the most commonly observed non-compliances. 1.... Read More
UL 1995 4th Edition Requires Retesting of HVAC/R Equipment
The requirements for HVAC/R equipment safety have changed. UL 1995/CSA 22.2 No. 236 has been updated with the release of the 4th edition. This new edition came into effect October 14, 2014. If your products are currently certified to the 3rd edition, you must have your file updated to reflect 4th edition changes. UL1995 covers... Read More
Electric Meter Testing Requirements Updated in ANSI C12.1-2014
Three weeks ago, MET Labs joined other C12 Accredited Standards Committee members in St. Louis, MO at the EEI Transmission, Distribution & Metering Conference to discuss revisions to ANSI C12.1, which provides the basic requirements for all kilowatthour metering devices, both electronic and electromechanical. This post highlights changes from the ANSI C12.1-2008 revision to the... Read More
AHJs Use NFPA 790 & 791 to Qualify Labs for Electrical Equipment Field Evaluations
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) in the United States have typically used the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, as the basis for approving electrical equipment installations in the United Sates. Much of the Code relies on having products manufactured and certified by a recognized testing laboratory to consensus-based U.S. product safety standards. In Canada, the AHJs... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification for Computers Now to Version 6.1
As of September 10th, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Version 6.1 requirements took effect. This newer version expands the scope of the computers program to include two new product types and a subtype of Notebook Computers. EPA chose to add Slates/Tablets, and Portable All-In-One computers to their product list and a... Read More
MIL-STD-461 for Military EMC & GR-1089-CORE for NEBS Telecom EMC Share Some Requirements
The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for telecom and military equipment are considered among the most difficult to meet for any industry. Not many electronics manufacturers conduct testing for both requirements, but it happens occasionally. For those who do, it’s an advantage to pursue both at the same time, as there is some overlap. Following is... Read More
For Product Safety Approvals, Uncertified and Improperly-Rated Components Require Surveillance
Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers often ask if it is acceptable to use uncertified or improperly rated components in their products. The following Frequently Asked Questions address the implications of using these components for North America product safety approvals. What is an uncertified component? Any safety critical component that is not certified by a suitably accredited agency... Read More
