Shedding Light on LED Power Supply and Fixture Certifications
Researching the architectural LED lighting landscape, one will encounter LED fixtures and power supplies with various UL markings. You may be wondering, 'What do these UL certifications mean, and in what way do these UL markings affect my LED lighting projects?' Read on to uncover the differences in safety testing of each UL certification and understand UL lighting standards when evaluating architectural LED lighting products for future projects.
What's The Difference Between UL Listed vs. UL Recognized?
For LED lighting products and applications specifically:
- A UL Listing means the product has been tested by a recognized and accredited facility to meet the National Electric Code as a complete lighting system; whereas,
- A UL Recognized product has only some of the components tested by an independent laboratory, not the complete system
NEC CODE & UL STANDARDS FOR LIGHTING
The NEC-70 Article 411 outlines the requirements for lighting systems operating under 30 volts or less connected to a Class 2 power source. The following criteria are defined as follows:
- Listed System & Assembly of Listed Parts
- Specific Location Requirements
- Secondary Circuits & Branch Circuits
- Hazardous Locations
UL 1838 - Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting Systems
UL 2108 - Low-Voltage Luminaires
READ NEC ARTICLE
A UL Listing is almost always required by commercial building code. In an electrical product, like architectural fixtures, UL specifically tests to make sure it won't end up malfunctioning and cause a fire, or some other safety hazard. If a product is UL Listed, it is deemed safe for use in public.
The caveats of UL Recognized lighting products. In low voltage applications, if a power supply is only UL Recognized, additional housing and/or dimming modules are required to complete the system. In most cases, additional components are necessary to complete the lighting system and field assembly is typically required.
According to the NEC, once the complete system has been field assembled, it will need to be field certified to obtain the complete UL Listing. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, contractor, designer, or specifier, understanding the rules and regulations around UL certifications for architectural LED lighting products can be challenging, yet critical.
QTL prides itself in offering low-voltage transformers and DC power supply centers as UL Listed LED Lighting Systems. All are tested in both their indoor and outdoor housings along with their dimming protocols.
The next time evaluating UL LED strips, LED fixtures, and power supplies options to specify, consider QTL as reputable source for safe and reliable UL linear LED lighting solutions.
FAQs
What's the difference between UL Listed and UL Recognized?
A UL Listing means the product has been tested by a recognized and accredited facility to meet the National Electric Code as a complete lighting system. A UL Recognized product has only some of its components tested by an independent laboratory, not the complete system.
What does the NEC require for low-voltage lighting systems?
NEC-70 Article 411 outlines the requirements for lighting systems operating under 30 volts and connected to a Class 2 power source. It defines criteria including listed systems and assemblies of listed parts, specific location requirements, secondary and branch circuits, and hazardous locations, along with UL 1838 for low-voltage landscape lighting systems and UL 2108 for low-voltage luminaires.
Why does UL Listing matter for commercial lighting projects?
A UL Listing is almost always required by commercial building code. UL testing confirms an electrical product, such as an architectural fixture, won't malfunction and cause a fire or other safety hazard. A UL Listed product is deemed safe for public use.
What are the caveats of UL Recognized lighting products?
In low-voltage applications, a power supply that is only UL Recognized needs additional housing and/or dimming modules to complete the system. In most cases, additional components and field assembly are required to complete the lighting system. Once the complete system is field assembled, it needs to be field certified according to the NEC to obtain the complete UL Listing.
Are QTL's power supplies UL Listed?
Yes. QTL's low-voltage transformers and DC power supply centers are UL Listed as complete systems for low-voltage lighting, tested in both indoor and outdoor housings along with their dimming protocols.
