Hi Jerry,
Linda is 100% correct, however many fabricators of custom electrical
products such as signage, exhibits, POS Displays, etc. participate in a
UL program that enables them to label products as being "UL Listed."
What that means is that the manufacturer uses a combination of UL
approved components and UL approved standards and methods of fabrication
to produce the product. As Laura said, the UL listing instills trust on
the part of the consumer, but it also instills trust with various
regulatory agencies. For example, if you build, or contract for, an
exhibition and the electrical components and other equipment is NOT UL
Listed or installed to that standard, your local fire or building
inspector as well as your insurance underwriter may express concern. I
have personally experienced a situation where a non-UL listed pump was
installed and the inspector would not sign off on the building permit
until the pump was replaced.
Be aware that UL is not the only Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory, and that there are other labs such as MET who provide
similar services. UL is one, if not the, oldest of the labs and
certainly the most recognized. One should also note that a UL listed
component, improperly installed, is as dangerous as any other component.
Your own familiarity with best practices and a good relationship with
your designer, contractors and your inspectors is still the best defense
against future problems.
Cheers,
Larry Fisher
Museum Planning, Design, and Project Management
6 Belvedere Drive
Bristol, RI 02809
p: (401) 253-5335
e: [log in to unmask]
On 1/12/2011 9:09 AM, Laura Kozuch wrote:
> Hi Jerry,
> The initials UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a company that is in the business of testing electrical equipment and will certify an equipment line to be safe according to their standards.
>
> They are hired by manufacturers so their products can be UL certified, thereby instilling trust in the consumer.
>
> See their web page, geared toward large companies:
>
> http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/
> Cheers,
> Laura
> Laura Kozuch, Ph.D.
> Curator, Illinois State Archaeological Survey
> University of Illinois
> 209 Nuclear Physics
> 23 Stadium Dr.
> Champaign, IL 61820
>
> 217-333-0263
> FAX 217-244-7458
>
> http://www.isas.uiuc.edu/
>
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