Question #1:WHAT IS UL RECOGNITION?
UL recognition means that a device, system or material has been tested and certified to meet specific safety standards. Safety and warning labels are required on many electrical products including computers, televisions, household appliances, power cords and power tools. UL testing assures that the labels are made from safe and durable materials that will remain intact on the product under regular use.
UL is a private organization founded in 1894 by the insurance industry to develop and maintain guidelines for underwriters; hence, the name Underwriters Laboratories.
Question #2:HOW DO I KNOW IF A LABEL IS UL RECOGNIZED?
UL-recognized labels will display a UL mark, as specified by Underwriters Laboratories.
Question #3: There are many types of UL markings. What do they each mean?
Question #4:IS UL THE ONLY SAFETY STANDARD?
No. However, UL has a world-wide presence. There are many other safety organizations in individual countries that test to the specific country's national standards.
Question #5:WHAT DOES CSA ACCEPTANCE MEAN?
CSA or Canadian Standard Association is like UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a private organization, situated in Canada to develop and maintain guidelines for underwriters. CSA acceptance means that a device, system or material has been tested and certified to meet specific safety standards. Safety and warning labels are required on many electrical products including computers, televisions, household appliances, power cords and power tools. CSA testing assures that the labels are made from safe and durable materials that will remain intact on the product under regular use.
CSA defines a heavy duty label or nameplate as "one intended for use in locations other than offices or dwelling units, where the label or nameplate may be subjected to more severe abrasion, exposure to oil, or harsher solvents. Typically, heavy duty labels or nameplates are required on portable tools, and on equipment used in industrial environments."
CSA, unlike UL, grants acceptance by printing technology regardless of the specific printer/ink system submitted by the raw material supplier. Due to this, you will still be required to submit printed samples with your specific printer and ink system in order to obtain CSA acceptance on your finished labels. Labels that are printed conventionally before being thermal transfer printed still must be submitted to CSA for recognition of the conventional printing.
Question #6:WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A MATERIAL TO PASS UL94?
A UL flammability rating is nowadays highly regarded as evidence for the suitability of a polymer or compound for a proposed application. US compounder RTP has published a guide to the tests and procedures involved in obtaining UL listings. UL94 V-0, V-1 and V-2, probably the most widely cited ratings as evidence of the behavior of a plastics material in fire conditions, require the examination of the material in the form of 5 x 12.5 mm. strips in three thickness. A total of ten samples are tested in two sets at each thickness, one set after conditioning for 48 hours at 73°F(23°C); and 50 percent RH, and the other after similar conditioning for 7 days at 158°F(70°C). In the test, a specimen is mounted with its bottom end above a Bunsen burner tube, and a blue high flame is applied to the centre of the lower edge for 10 seconds. If burning ceases within 30 seconds, the flame is reapplied for a further 10 seconds. If the specimen drips particles, these are allowed to fall onto a layer of untreated surgical cotton placed 12 in.(30 cm.) below the specimen.
You can visit the UL website at UL WEBSITE. Also visit UL94 SUMMARY here on POLYONICS FAQs.
Question #7:WHAT IS THE BS 5609 MARINE TEST?
Products submitted for the BS 5609 Marine Test are applied to an aluminium panel. After a 14 week exposure in salt water the material has to widthstand a 180° peel adhesion test at 300 mm/minute. When the peel test gives an average adhesion and percentage of readings above the recorded specification, the material meets the requirements of BS 5609 Section Two Part 4.1 : 'Marine Exposure'.
Question #8:WHAT IS NASA E595?
Question #9:WHAT ARE MIL-STDs 129 and 1189 ABOUT?
Question #10:WHAT IS ASTM?
Question #11:WHAT IS ANSI?
Question #12:WHAT IS PSTC?
