January 27, 2014
UL offers Smart Meter safety services for manufacturers and users
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 27, 2014 - UL (Underwriters Laboratories) a global safety science leader, announced today the launch of two new safety services designed to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of smart meters. In cooperation with leading US utilities and smart meter manufacturers, and in response to numerous smart meter safety concerns from consumers and regulators, UL has established both product safety certification services for smart meter manufacturers and product safety testing services for smart meter users.
Earlier this year, UL published the Standard for Safety for Electric Utility Meters, UL2735. This standard contains requirements for the electric shock, fire, mechanical and radio-frequency (RF) emissions safety aspects of all electric utility meters, including smart meters, and is the foundation for both the UL product safety certification service and the product safety testing service.
"The safety standard, the safety certification and safety testing programs are all now in place. As a direct result of having all three, UL is uniquely poised to immediately help smart meter manufacturers and users address the product safety concerns of both regulators and consumers," notes Lisa Salley, Vice President and GM - Energy and Industrial Systems, UL. "We don't take lightly the trust and confidence that leading smart meter manufacturers and utilities have placed in us. We are absolutely committed as partners."
UL's product safety certification service enables manufactures of smart meters to apply the UL certification mark to smart meters that are determined to be in compliance with the requirements of UL2735. The UL certification mark is trusted by more consumers in North America than any other safety mark and signals a commitment to safety for both the smart meter manufacturer and the installing utility.
UL has issued the first smart meter safety certification to a leading manufacturer and a complete list of certified smart meters can be found in UL's online certification directory at UL.com.
UL's product safety testing service enables utilities and other users of smart meters to demonstrate their commitment to safety when a UL certified meter is not available. UL has already completed product safety testing of smart meters for a number of leading utilities.
"This service is especially useful for utilities that have either begun or completed their smart meter deployment," states Salley. "Each utility has the option to customize the test program." UL will test the specific smart meters employed by the utility to the testing requirements of UL2735 and provide a detailed report of the findings. Customized test programs can include any additional testing that is relevant to their specific installations.
To learn more about UL's smart meter program, visit https://industries.ul.com/smart-meters. For business inquiries, contact Bill Colavecchio (William.A.Colavecchio@ul.com).
About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for 120 years. Its more than 10,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit https://www.ul.com/.
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