Richard and Rich, Many persons think of not Listing a product which is powered by a Class 2 source of supply. I would say this:
1. What is the product? For example: if product is a medical product, the system must be assessed to the UL2601-1 and CSA C22.2 601-1 standard; if product has a telecom interface (TNVs) then system must be assessed to UL1950/CSA C22.2 950 3rd Edition; if product is audio/video, then system must be assessed to the applicable audio/video standards (I recently answered a thread on audio video product standards); if product is used around swimming pools, it must be assessed to the applicable US/Canadian Standards depending on the product function. Generally a Class 2 power supply is good for ITE but is not good enough for medical or audio/video applications where additional construction and/or testing is required. Also, if power supply is Class 2 and supplies an outdoor unit, unless the outdoor unit meets the required NEMA designation for enclosures (refer to UL50) and the circuits are not accessible, the Class 2 output should be below 21.2 V peak to be considered safe for wet locations. Based on the above variables, I would strongly suggest you obtain NRTL Listing for your product. I have a client with a battery operated product (2 AA alkaline batteries) who obtained Listing on their portable electronic dictionary; they not only spent money on the Listing process (which was mostly paperwork) but also on the flame rated plastics and PWBs and quarterly inspections required by the NRTL test house and OSHA. Their sales have been oustanding! Good luck with the inspectors out there whatever you do. But most importantly, build your product to meet the applicable safety/emc/etc. standards to minimize lawsuits. > > I am in basic agreement with Rich. My company makes two types of low voltage > products. One type is permanently installed and one is movable. We always > use a certified Class 2 or Limited Power Source. Normally we do not obtain > certifications for our moveable devices since they are not normally subject > to inspection by an electrical inspector. However, experience has shown that > the electrical inspectors do ask a lot of questions about the permanetly > installed devices, so to prevent the hassle, we do obtain certs on those. > However, my understanding of the US and Canadian Electrical codes is that > certification is not required for devices powered by a Class 2 source. I > once asked the leading manufacture of home intercom/radio equipment is they > obtain UL Listing and they said they have never obtained Listing for their > Class 2 powered equipment. > > ---------- > From: Rich Nute [SMTP:ri...@sdd.hp.com] > Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 8:03 PM > To: jfinlay...@nbase-xyplex.com > Cc: emc-p...@ieee.org > Subject: Re: NRTL Listing > > > > > Hi Joe: > > > > liability and such. Can anyone share some more info as to their > reasons for > > listing or not listing such a product which is well below > hazardous limits. > > There are two schools of thought: > > 1. Because of its low-voltage supply, the unit is exempt from > most safety certifications throughout the world. Therefore, > there is no need to obtain any safety certifications. > > 2. Regardless of being exempt, customers expect most electrical > products to bear safety certification marks. Indeed, OSHA > and NEC electrical inspectors (and customs inspectors) cannot > make field judgements as to whether an electrical product is > exempt from safety certification. The presence of the marks > assure acceptance without your intervention. > > I suggest that the decision should be based on your customer base, > where the product is used, your company, the product, and the > possible difficulties you might encounter without the marks. Any > difficulties will have a cost in (1) delaying the product to the > customer, and (2) your time to resolve, for the various inspectors, > the fact that the product does not require the safety certification. > > For example, low-voltage products going into the home are not > likely to be subject to discrimination due to safety certification > marks. > > On the other hand, products going into the workplace, being part > of an electrical installation, or going across borders may very > well be subject to inspection for certification marks. > > > Have fun! > Rich > > > > > --------- > This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. > To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org > with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the > quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, > jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or > roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators). > > > --------- > This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. > To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org > with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the > quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, > jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or > roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators). > > PETER S. MERGUERIAN MANAGING DIRECTOR PRODUCT TESTING DIVISION I.T.L. (PRODUCT TESTING) LTD. HACHAROSHET 26, P.O.B. 211 OR YEHUDA 60251, ISRAEL TEL: 972-3-5339022 FAX: 972-3-5339019 E-MAIL: pe...@itl.co.il Visit our Website: http://www.itl.co.il --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators).
