Nrtl listing

Status
Not open for further replies.

Vertex

Senior Member
Is is possible for more than one NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) to list a product? If so, is it possible for them to adopt different standards?
 

hurk27

Senior Member
I know for the most part they all follow UL standards, but to say they don't have some of their own would be wrong.

Good question, I would think from the liability point of view, and all the safety org's out there, they would keep them close to being the same?
 
NRTLs test, evaluate and field evaluate to Standards. The Standards are developed through a process that includes different entities.

So, ETL, CSA, TUV, and any other recognized Testing Laboratories (I believe there are approximately 18) follow those Standards as we do the NEC and other codes/Standards.

OSHA is the governmental agency that oversees/provides recognition of the NRTLs. Remember all NRTLs are not recognized by OSHA to test, evaluate, or list all products, some have a small portion, and others have a very large portion.
UL is the most recognized, as they have the largest presence in that industry.


As a matter of fact, there will be another NRTL added to the list by November of this year.;)


Here is OSHA'a link to NRTLs
http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/
 

Vertex

Senior Member
Pierre,

So are you saying that the standards are established by other agencies (ANSI, NEMA, etc.) and all NRTLs would have to use them for listing?
 

bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
The OSHA - NRTL program currently only recognizes 4 standards associations.

They are:

1. Amercian National Standards Institute - ANSI
2. American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM
3. Underwriters' Laboratory - UL
4. Factory Mutal Research Corporation - FMRC

The approved testing laboratories test and list products under one of these 4 standard associations.

It must be understood that UL is two separate organizations. The non-profit division is the standards sector that develops the standards but does NOT partcipate in the regulatory aspect. The regulatory (testing and listing) sector is the for-profit division equivalent to ETL, CSA, TUV, etc...

For the most part, elctrical professionals will see products evalutated to an ANSI/UL standard and listed per one of the NRTL's. Plumbing and Mechanical professionals see more of ASTM and structural and fire professionals mainly deal with FM. UL also has a huge fire safety products sector.


TRIVIA: Most know that UL and ETL originated aboout the same time. UL was established by William Merrill after evaluating the electrical installations at the World Columbian Expo in Chicago performed by the Westinghouse/Tesla team. Tom Edison himself established ETL the same year (1894) for the purposes of evaluating and testing incandescent lamps.

But, they were actually not the first. A full 40 years early another NRTL still currently in operation were evaluating and testing Boiler Equipment.

Anyone want to guess what organization that was? NO GOOGLING !!!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top