UL mark for lighting fixtures

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BabooSF

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Hello,

We are planning to import designers' lighting fixtures from Israel.
The fixtures are usually artistic and one of a kind. Some of the fixtures are build around shades with different sizes some are built around unique glass item.

As far as I know, UL approval costs many 1000's of dollars. How does UL approval apply to this type of cases where there is no line of products but a unique fixture?
Is it enough to use UL marked wiring and lamp holders or the whole product needs to be tested?

Thanks,

BaBoo SF

San Francisco, CA
 
BabooSF said:
Hello,

We are planning to import designers' lighting fixtures from Israel.
The fixtures are usually artistic and one of a kind. Some of the fixtures are build around shades with different sizes some are built around unique glass item.

As far as I know, UL approval costs many 1000's of dollars. How does UL approval apply to this type of cases where there is no line of products but a unique fixture?
Is it enough to use UL marked wiring and lamp holders or the whole product needs to be tested?

Thanks,

BaBoo SF

San Francisco, CA
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I believe that the whole product will have to listed to satisfy 410.6. If each fixture is different it will be a nightmare for the electricians trying to install them, because he/she will have to get approval from the AHJ in every area they work for each fixture.
 
jumper said:
I believe that the whole product will have to listed to satisfy 410.6. If each fixture is different it will be a nightmare for the electricians trying to install them, because he/she will have to get approval from the AHJ in every area they work for each fixture.
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Welcome, and Jumper's right. Yes, the entire fixture needs to be listed. The 1000's it cost is a bullet your light manufacturer needs to bite if they want to sell lights to the US
 
mcclary's electrical said:
Welcome, and Jumper's right. Yes, the entire fixture needs to be listed. The 1000's it cost is a bullet your light manufacturer needs to bite if they want to sell lights to the US
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Oh you can sell them in the US except I believe Washington State will not allow sales of non UL products. Everywhere else you can sell them and you can find someone to install them but if it is a permitted job or if you have someone like me be prepared to get a refusal of install without that sticker. :)
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Oh you can sell them in the US except I believe Washington State will not allow sales of non UL products. Everywhere else you can sell them and you can find someone to install them but if it is a permitted job or if you have someone like me be prepared to get a refusal of install without that sticker. :)
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Very good point, I should have pointed that out. In fact, usually what happens is they put up a bunch of keylesses and get inspected, then when the inspector leaves, out come the illegal lights.

Buzz and Neds barbecue in Richmond have homemade lights made from #3 washpails
 
dont know about the rest of california, or SF, but it is illegal in Los Angeles to sell anything that isnt listed
 
Get in contact with a UL office for a cost estimate. It is possible that your designs may fall within UL guidelines to avoid testing. If your fixtures are not within the UL guidelines, then testing will be required to indicate that no excessive temperature problem exists. Either path will leave you with the expense of opening up a UL file and then have a description of the fixtures inserted. UL will do this for you. It is possible to list the smallest size with a specified wattage fixture which will then cover all similar fixtures that are larger and with equal wattage.

Ask UL how the periodic random inspection cost is covered for you.

Ask too, if you have listing by an agency in another country if that can translate to UL although I don't believe that you will have any luck with this.

Your fixture will need UL Listed components such as lampholders, wiring, wirenuts, ballasts and the like.
 
I should add that the construction of your fixtures must also conform to UL guidelines. These can include plastic choices, glass thicknesses, mounting hardware and more. You need to have the appropriate UL Standard in mind when a fixture is designed. The appropriate Standards along with an update subscription or subscriptions are available from UL.
 
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