Sleeving Testing and Certification

UL Solutions’ sleeving testing and certification program covers products submitted for evaluation in accordance with electrical and flammability performance requirements. Sleeving may have variations in characteristics or constructional features, such as being round in cross section, and consists of closely woven, braided or knitted sleeving made of various types of cotton linen, glass, fibrous material, thermosetting or thermoplastic monofilament, which may be thoroughly filled, saturated or equivalently treated with a suitable varnish, compound or sizing agent prior to being coated. The safety of electrical equipment depends on the selection of sleeving, design, assembly, mounting and positioning of these parts in compliance with applicable requirements.

We offer sleeving certification services to enable you to expand into U.S. and Canadian markets. Additionally, sleeving certification can provide value to you and your customers by helping to streamline the end-product certification process, which may help in cost savings and reduced time to market.

UL Solutions’ component certification program provides a convenient way for end-product manufacturers to source component sleeving that meets the necessary performance requirements applicable to their UL Certified products.

The following three categories cover sleeving based on the type of product and end-use application:

Sleeving categories

The end-use product manufacturer selects the performance properties that match the demands of the individual application. This sleeving is intended for installation as components of complete equipment or systems; UL Solutions assesses compliance with applicable requirements in an end-product investigation. We test sleeving in accordance with ANSI/UL 1441, the Standard for Coated Electrical Sleeving, and CSA C22.2 No. 198.3.

Here is a brief description of each sleeving certification category and its corresponding CCN covered by UL Solutions:

Testing and evaluation for the sleeving categories

• Sleeving, Coated Electrical – Component (UZFT2/8) – This category covers coated electrical sleeving intended for use as part of the internal wiring of electrical devices and appliances in air, dry and damp locations. Construction and ratings must be in accordance with UL 1441. Sleeving may be used for insulating one or more inadequately insulated conductors, bus bars, component leads or assemblies of electronic components. Sleeving under this category will establish a voltage and temperature rating equivalent to the normal operating conditions of the appliance wiring for which it provides insulation.
  
  Evaluation includes a construction review and testing for electrical, thermal or flammability properties. Performance tests for sleeving include the following tests: dielectric withstand and breakdown, and resistance to cracking in cold environments. Flammability is investigated using the horizontal specimen flame and may be evaluated with the VW-1 flame test. Sleeving may undergo additional investigation for intermediate or occasional contact with oil and reference a specific oil resistance of 60°C or 80°C.
• Sleeving, Miscellaneous – Component (UZKX2/8) – This category covers sleeving intended for use in combination with the internal wiring of electrical devices and appliances. It may have variations in construction and ratings. Sleeving under this category can provide flammability or insulation characteristics to one or more inadequately insulated conductors, bus bars, motor leads, transformer lugs or small assemblies of electronic components.
  
  Evaluation includes a construction examination and optional testing for electrical, thermal or flammability properties. Performance tests for sleeving include the following tests: dielectric withstand and breakdown, and resistance to cracks in cold environments. Flammability is investigated using the horizontal specimen flame and may be evaluated with the VW-1 flame test. Sleeving may undergo additional investigation for intermediate or occasional contact with oil and reference a specific oil resistance of 60°C or 80°C.
• Sleeving, Flame-Retardant – Component (UZIQ2/8) – This category covers sleeving intended for applications requiring testing of the flammability performance of internal wiring assemblies. This sleeving attains a VW-1 flammability rating only. It is not intended for use as electrical insulation in contact with live parts without additional suitable insulation.
  
  The end-use product manufacturer selects the sleeving based on the provided flammability of the individual application.

Conditions of acceptability

Guidelines addressing the applicable requirements of sleeving when used with an end-product are included in the UL Solutions report under conditions of acceptability. The conditions of acceptability generally cover minimum wall thickness, flammability ratings, voltage ratings, temperature ratings and optional ratings for which the product was found acceptable. The conditions of acceptability are also published in the UL Product iQ^® database.

Recognition for Canada

Under our Canadian certification program, UL Solutions tests products to CSA C22.2 No. 198.3. As the UL 1441 and CSA C22.2 No. 198.3 standards are harmonized and include the same test methods, no additional testing is necessary to grant Canadian Recognition. Products found to comply with Canadian requirements are marked with the Canadian UL Recognized Component Mark. Products certified for Canada are published under CCN UZFT8, UZKX8 and UZIQ8.

UL Solutions Follow-Up Services

All Recognized Component sleeving falls under the UL Solutions Follow-Up Services program, which states that UL Certified products must continue to be manufactured in compliance with UL Solutions requirements.