Does an install kit have to be Listed?

[mgookin]

We all know you can go to the supply house and get pipe, boxes, clamps, etc. and build your system or assembly as long as you follow code.

Our company manufactures a twist-lock outdoor light control and it's been a learning experience both ways on installations, system maintenance, etc. As we learn what installers don't understand about it, we amend cut sheets, product litterature, etc. A good example of this is that they first try to put a solo cup over the lens to make the lights come on during the daytime for parking lot bulb maintenance, but our product is not light sensitive. And so we offer a shorting cap for $5.

Our product is Listed and we also affer a Listed receptacle for wire-in installations. Most electricians choose to use a female terminal adapter and an LB for the receptacle and that seems to work best. Using a sweep is too flimsy because you can't key the terminal adapter so we don't recommend that.

I'm thinking if we offered a little install kit, just having them see the kit & instructions would help them understand how to install as simply and effectively as possible. It might be as little as:
1) a 1/2" LB,
2) a female terminal adapter,
3) an inch of pipe, and
4) a drawing.
On a wall mount, it has to stand off the wall for 1/2 the diameter of the controller (3.5 / 2 = 1.75") and that's where the LB comes in handy.

So if I package up $3 worth of parts and sell it for $4 as a convenience to my customer, does my "kit" have to be Listed? I don't think it does.

Thanks.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I do not understand the UL rules but if this install kit is all listed products that the ec would normally buy over the counter then I don't see why it must be listed.

 

[glene77is]

... a twist-lock outdoor light control
... they first try to put a solo cup over the lens to make the lights come on during the daytime for parking lot bulb maintenance,
but our product is not light sensitive. ...
...we offer a shorting cap ....

Curious Question :
If you have a Switch,
then what is this reference to a "lens" about ?

 

[GoldDigger]

Curious Question :
If you have a Switch,
then what is this reference to a "lens" about ?

The product is a drop-in replacement for the standard form factor photoelectric controller for street lights, etc. From the outside it looks pretty much like a photoelectric controller and the cover looks like it might have a lens. But inside is a GPS-based time switch mechanism, and there really is not a photocell involved.

It just acts in some ways as if there were one.

 

[mgookin]

Curious Question :
If you have a Switch,
then what is this reference to a "lens" about ?

Everybody asks that question!
We get our baseplate and cap at lower cost than we can make them, and we get them by the pallet, from a company that makes photocontrols (yes, our competitor). It saved us considerable time & cost in product development & product Listing (UL 916). Just getting the brass plug blades tooled would have cost $60k.
When we went for product Listing they tested it and wrote it up as though we use an already listed & labeled photocontrol where we manufacture only the printed circuit board. We thereby bypassed all testing for plastics, plug blades, weathertight seal, gasket, adhesive, etc.
And so we end up with a useless lens in our cap. I agree it confuses people and it would be better if it were not there. One day it will be gone.