What is UL 996Ed8 ?

Title: A Comprehensive Guide to UL 996 and UL 968

When it comes to safety, the importance of proper lighting cannot be overstated. Lighting fixtures, if not designed and installed properly, can pose a significant risk to users and even cause fatalities. This is where UL 996 and UL 968 come into play. These safety standards, respectively, ensure that electrical lighting fixtures and electrical signs and luminous-discharge tube lighting meet the necessary safety requirements to protect users from potential hazards.

What is UL 996?

UL 996 is a widely recognized safety standard for electrical lighting fixtures, developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). It is designed to establish safety regulations and performance criteria for lighting fixtures, ensuring that they meet specific safety requirements to protect users from potential hazards. UL 996 covers various aspects of lighting fixtures' design and construction, including electrical components, mechanical structures, and thermal considerations. It addresses issues such as electric shock hazards, fire risks, and potential injuries due to improper installation or use.

By testing and certifying lighting fixtures to UL 996, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products meet specific safety criteria, giving consumers peace of mind. The standard is regularly updated to reflect the latest safety advancements and technologies.

What is UL 968?

UL 968 is a safety standard for electrical signs and luminous-discharge tube lighting, developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in collaboration with other safety organizations. This standard is designed to prevent fire hazards, electrical shocks, and other potential dangers associated with these devices.

UL 968 is widely recognized and manufacturers can use it as a benchmark for their products, ensuring that they meet specific safety criteria. The standard covers various aspects of electrical signs and lighting systems, including the materials used, the installation and configuration of the lighting, and the testing procedures.

Purpose of UL 968

The primary goal of UL 968 is to ensure the safe installation and operation of electrical signs and lighting systems, preventing fire hazards, electrical shocks, and other potential dangers associated with these devices. By adhering to UL 968, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products meet specific safety criteria, giving consumers peace of mind.

Key Requirements of UL 968

To be compliant with UL 968, manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the following key requirements:

Electrical Safety: The product must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for electrical safety.

Fire-Resistance: The product must be fire-resistant, as defined by UL 710 or other recognized fire-resistance standards.

Electrical Conductivity: The product must be made of materials that are resistant to electrical currents, as defined by UL 508 or other recognized electrical standards.

Indication: The product must provide appropriate indication of the presence of electrical hazards, such as a distinct change in color or the appearance of a warning symbol.

Electrical Overvoltage: The product must be able to withstand electrical overvoltage, as defined by UL 508 or other recognized electrical standards.

Electrical Discharge: The product must be able to withstand electrical discharge, as defined by UL 508 or other recognized electrical standards.

Contact Protection: The product must provide appropriate protection against electrical contact, as defined by UL 44 or other recognized electrical standards.

Conclusion

UL 996 and UL 968 are important safety standards that ensure that electrical lighting fixtures and electrical signs and lighting systems meet specific safety requirements. By adhering to these standards, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products are safe and reliable, giving consumers peace of mind