Product Safety
Electric Sign Safety Governed by UL 48 and NEC Article 600
The National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 600 and UL 48 Standard for Safety for Electric Signs are used to evaluate the field installation and construction of electric signs in the U.S. In Canada, the relevant guidelines are the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and CSA 22.2 No. 207. All signs that are electrically operated and/or electrically... Read More
Q4 Product Safety Recall List Filled with Electronics & Electrical Products
In the last three months of 2014, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada maintained their torrid pace of recall announcements. Here is a list of electrical/electronic products that were recalled in the 4th quarter of 2014, per the Consumer Product Safety Commission: UL-Listed Keurig MINI Plus Brewing Systems AP Specialties Power Bank Chargers... Read More
Top 10 Compliance Today Blog Posts for Electrical Compliance Engineers in 2014
Just like last year, the Compliance Today blog for electrical product manufacturer compliance engineers saw a significant increase in readers and subscribers for 2014. Following were the most popular posts, by pageviews. IEC 60601-1-2 4th Edition for Medical EMC Has Immunity & Risk Management Changes EN 61326-1: 2013 Replacing 2006 Version for EMC Directive Evaluation... Read More
UL 508A 2nd Edition Now Required for Industrial Control Panels
The requirements for Industrial Control Panels have been recently updated to the 2nd edition. The second edition changes made to UL 508A will take effect this month. Changes in the new edition are extensive. They include: Air conditioners installed in panels need to comply with UL 1995 and clause 26.3 When protectors (fuse, breaker, etc.)... Read More
New EMC Directive 2014/30/EU Will Soon Replace 2004/108/EU
The European Union EMC Directive 2004/108/EU has been revised to the new Directive 2014/30/EU. After April 2016, the new directive will be required for all applicable electrical products being sold in the European Union. Requirements listed in Annex I of the directive remain the same. But 4 key changes have been made: The directive now... Read More
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
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
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
