UL -vs- ETL

[johnjohn]

Their is a company called Cheetah that makes these plastic boxes with push in switches and receptacles that do not use screws to fasten the device or the plate.

The manufactor of the product claims that they are built to UL standards but are only certified to CAN/CSA and have the ETL stamp.

Are we allowed to use these in the USA?

Or is the AHJ the final word?

 

[roger]

In most areas ETL and CSA are accepted third party testing labs.

If your state is like NC you can find the recognized testing labs online.

Roger

 

[bphgravity]

ETL techincally doesn't exist any longer. It is now Intertek Testing Services.

As a matter of fact, ETL was originally organized by the Edison Illuminating Companies and has been testing electrical equipment and materials since 1896. At that time, Mr. Edison's only competition was a Mr. William Merrill who formed Underwriter's Electrical Bureau which later became UL. Mr. Merrill was the electrician who inspected the wiring of the grounds and displays at the 1893 World Columbian Expo performed by Wesinghouse and Tesla.

I just happen to have a copy of the very FIRST listed product catalog published by ETL. It has a nice big picture of Edison on the inside cover and his signature.

 

[johnjohn]

UL vs ETL

UL vs ETL

Thanks, but if I just received a product with the ETL stamp should I be suspicious?

 

[wbalsam1]

Thanks, but if I just received a product with the ETL stamp should I be suspicious?

UL and ITS (formerly ETL) are both NRTL's (nationally recognized testing laboratories). I wouldn't be any more suspicious of one than the other. The fact that the term "UL" has been used for years to mean NRTL is nothing new. In my area the term "UL" is mis-applied to mean a cut-in card from a private inspection agency to turn on a service install. :smile:

 

[rbalex]

Thanks, but if I just received a product with the ETL stamp should I be suspicious?

ETL SEMKO is the electrical division of the OSHA NRTL Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. (ITSNA) and still uses the ETL logo for their US domestic listed products. They are well qualified. You should be no more suspicious than you would be with a product that showed up with a "UL" mark.

Both organizations offer certification verification, if you are still concerned.