Richard that doesn't seem logical to me. I can believe you got that
explanation but it certainly is counterintuitive, especially given UL's history
in guarding their logo.
As an example some years ago manufacturers of lamp cord wiring - a two
prong plug and 3 feet of wire - used to put UL labels on each cord. Why not,
they had submitted the assemblies and met the requirements? I remember seeing
the label with a hole in them and the cord slipped over it and you could buy
them in hardware stores. UL decided that this was a bad thing because it was
confusing consumers into thinking the lamp was Listed and not just the wire
that stuck out of it.
This seems to be a similar case - with the possible exception that the
mislabeled wire would be inside a product and less likely to confuse the
customer.
Really the only thing that any of the NRTL'S' have to sell is their
reputation that the product meets the standards for safety (note I didn't say
"is safe") and that the consumer can trust the product if UL, or any NRTL, puts
their name or logo on a product.
If they weight the cost to a manufacturer against the cost to them I'm
thinking I know what side they would come down on.
I'll be interested in hearing from the others.
Gary
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 12:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Wire spool labeling requirements
Hello Group:
The explanation that I have been given goes as follows.
When a UL inspector goes in to inspect a wire manufacturer they have to do
certain measurements on the wire to be sure it meets the requirements for
that wire style. If it does not meet the requirements it is not accepted as
UL Listed wire (AWM).
However, these manufacturers do a run of many thousands of feet of wire
which already has the surface markings on it, and can not reasonably be
expected to destroy it (presumably reworking the wire is also not an
option). So UL allows them to sell it, but they are not allowed to put a
Listing label on the spool.
Therefore it is possible to buy wire with proper surface markings that does
not really meet the UL requirements. Thus the need for Recognized Processed
Wire and Recognized Wiring Harnesses from Certified Fabricators who maintain
records of the traceability of the wire back to a properly labeled spool
(among other things).
At least that's what I've been told.
Richard
Richard Payne
Tektronix, Inc.
Product Safety Engineering
Tel: 503 627-1820
Fax: 503 627-3838
email: [email protected]
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