Hi Chris:
> For instance, one of the messages says that the NEC gives an electrician the
> right to unplug an un-NRTL-marked piece of equipment. Another message
> states that the NRTL's mark is the proof of product safety.
"NRTL" is a designation issued by OSHA.
"Approved" is a designation used by the NEC.
An NRTL may or may not be "approved," depending
on the jurisdiction, i.e., the authority
enforcing the NEC.
The authority enforcing the NEC can disconnect
any equipment that is not "approved." The
electrician may be delegated (through licensing)
to enforce the NEC, including disconnecting
equipment that is not "approved."
> 1. Are other certifications from other labs, such as A2LA and/or NVLAP
> allowed as long as there is a test report?
Under the NEC, equipment must be "approved."
"Approved" is defined as acceptable to the
jurisdiction enforcing the NEC. The jurisdiction
decides "approved" on a lab-by-lab basis, and
sometimes by standards or equipment type covered
by that lab.
Ultimately, it boils down to a certification
mark from one of the labs accepted by the
local jurisdiction. The test report is nothing
more than a record maintained by the certification
house for its own purposes of granting the right
to use the mark on the equipment.
Under the NEC (and OSHA), it is possible to
install a non-certified product provided it
is tested in place. In such a situation, the
test report may be highly useful.
(In Europe, the test report is essential, as
Europe relies on the manufacturer proving the
safety of the product.)
> 2. Does it matter what the voltage rating of the product is?
No.
Safety certification process almost always requires
the product to be safe (and therefore certified)
in accordance with the product's ratings, including
its input voltage rating.
Although rare, it is possible to certify a multi-
voltage product for one voltage by one lab and
another voltage by another lab. This is done by
agreement between the submittor and the lab. In
such a case, the voltage for which the certification
applies is specifically related to the certification
mark.
> 3. For products with external AC power supplies, would the NRTL mark need
> to be on the supply and the product? Or the supply only?
The external ac power supply must be "approved."
The product may or may not need to be approved. If
the rated input voltage exceeds 30 V rms or 42.4 V
dc, then it must be approved (per the NEC). If the
rated input voltage is less than 30 V rms or 42.4 V
dc, then the NEC does not require it to be "approved;"
it is a manufacturer's option whether to seek third-
party certification.
> 4. Does it matter where the product is used? (home, farm, factory ...)
The NEC applies to almost every location (except
electric utility locations).
Best regards,
Rich
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