Standards Corner — Lumen Insights Q3 Issue 2022

By Joe Musso, standards program manager

Standards information link: UL Standards | UL Standards

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STP 48 — Electric signs — Two proposals for UL 48, the Standard for Electric Signs, covering section sign markings and components for use in LED and changing message signs were recirculated to the STP on April 6, 2022, closing on April 20. Both topics maintained STP consensus, and the revised requirements were published in UL 48 on April 22, 2022.

In addition to the UL 48 activity, UL 879A, the Standard for LED Sign and Sign Retrofit Kits, was reaffirmed as the American National Standard on May 19, 2022.

STP 153 — Portable luminaires — A series of 16 new proposals was circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on May 27, 2022, closing on June 10. There were no preliminary comments. The next step will be to circulate the proposals for STP ballot and public comment, which is expected in Q3 2022. The new proposals address:

1. Battery-operated portable luminaires.
2. Scope adjustments.
3. Plant luminaires subject to photobiological risk measurement testing.
4. Interconnected units permitted to use attachment plugs and receptacles compliant with UL 60320-2.
5. Switches.
6. Double insulation as alternative to a grounding attachment plug for shop lights.
7. Interconnection cord requirement for line voltage operated cabinet luminaire.
8. Grounding for work lights, hand lights and wet location luminaires.
9. Receptacle switches for work lights.
10. Exclusion of current taps from wet location portable luminaires.
11. Dielectric Voltage Withstand Test for lower voltage circuits.
12. Renaming the Resistance to Moisture Test as the Leakage Current Measurement Test.
13. Electrical input measurement and rating marking for portable luminaires with non-replaceable light sources.
14. Electrical rating marking for convenience receptacles.
15. Revising the Office Furnishing and Wet Location markings from mandatory to eligible.
16. Editorial revisions.

Also under STP 153 is UL 1786, the Standard for Direct Plug-in Nightlights. Three new proposals were circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on June 15, 2022, closing on July 15.

STP 879 — Sign components — Three proposals, including requirements for components for use in LED and changing message signs, and reference to generic RTI in UL 746B, Standard for Polymeric Materials - Long Term Property Evaluations, were recirculated to the STP on April 6, 2022, closing on April 20. All topics maintained STP consensus, and the revised requirements were published in UL 879, Standard for Electric Sign Components on April 22, 2022.

STP 924 — Emergency lighting and power equipment — A series of 17 new proposals was circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on Jan. 14, 2022, closing on Feb. 28. A number of comments were received, and an STP Meeting was held June 1 to review all comments. Changes to the proposals resulting from the preliminary comments, and discussion at the June 1 STP Meeting will be circulated for STP ballot and public comment during Q3 2022. The new proposals address:

1. Scope clarifications.
2. Definitions.
3. Mounting means.
4. Installation – wiring connections.
5. Batteries.
6. Electronic circuits subject to voltage surge testing.
7. Overcurrent protection.
8. Elimination of self-diagnostic (only) equipment.
9. Maximum permitted time for ELCD operation.
10. Temperature test for recessed equipment.
11. High ambient temperature reduction for emergency battery packs.
12. Markings.
13. Low frequency inverter battery discharge compliance option.
14. Expansion of Appendix B content.
15. Emergency systems.
16. Communication enabled equipment.
17. Editorial corrections.

STP 1573 — Stage and studio luminaires and connector strips — A series of nine new proposals have been circulated to the STP for ballot and public review on May 27, 2022, closing on July 11. The new proposals address:

1. Revision to existing definitions and new definitions to clarify for users.
2. New stability requirements for freestanding lighting equipment.
3. New stability requirements for freestanding lighting equipment.
4. Expanding and clarifying environmental ratings requirements.
5. Updated isolation devices requirements.
6. New requirements for LED light sources.
7. New requirements for equipment having cooling fans.
8. New requirements for equipment having wired control circuits.
9. Adding standard references to Annex A.

STP 1598 — Luminaires — A series of nine new proposals was circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on May 20, 2022, closing on June 18. A number of comments were received, which are under review by the technical harmonization committee (THC 34D). After THC review of the comments, the proposals will be circulated for STP ballot and public review, likely during Q3 2022. The new proposals address:

1. Grounding of secondary circuits.
2. Clarification to 5.7.1.3.
3. Clarification of 6.20.5.
4. Revision for typo in clause 7.2.3.6 of UL 1598, the Standard for Luminaires.
5. Delete orphaned 9.6 header.
6. Polymeric Recessed Luminaires Marking Clarification.
7. Add test requirement for relamping-induced safety-impairing damage.
8. Proposed alternate method for luminaires physically too small for all required markings.
9. Marking size for small luminaires.

STP 1993 — Self-ballasted lamps and lamp adapters — The proposed new 6th edition of UL 1993, the Standard for Self-Ballasted Lamps and Lamp Adapters, has been circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on June 17, 2022, closing on July 18. The proposed new edition includes 25 proposal topics. Once comments are received, they will be reviewed by the technical harmonization subcommittee (THSC 34A) and eventually moved to STP ballot and public review, expected by the end of 2022.

STP 8750 — LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN LIGHTING PRODUCTS — A series of 12 new proposals have been circulated to the STP and public for preliminary review on May 27, 2022, closing on July 10. The new proposals address:

1. Scope update to include power sources.
2. Adding UL 62368-1, the Standard for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment - Part 1: Safety Requirements, reference to clause 4.1 list of standards.
3. Requirements for coin cell lithium batteries.
4. Correction for dimensional requirements in clause 6.4.1 – Exception 3.
5. Clarification for grounding and bonding.
6. Supply connection options for built-in products.
7. Correct the referred clause in clause 7.11.2.4 (b).
8. Dielectric Voltage Withstand testing for products with integral SPDs.
9. Specifications for cheesecloth in clause 8.7.1.1 (d).
10. Updates to marking requirements.
11. Clarification for SA3.3.
12. Control circuit lead wire colors – SF4.2.