Some of the key differences between UL and ETL certification

Time：2015-10-02　Views：3072　Compile：SUNPER

ETL is a recent comer to the nationally recognized test laboratories market and there has been a constant increase in market visibility. Skeptics usually say this due to the fact that they have a better marketing department and they are also more customers oriented than UL.

However, unlike the UL, ETL does not create standards. Basically, it tests electrical products to the UL-created standards. This means that both the UL and ETL interpretations of correct testing protocol are different for a certain given standard. UL takes a more stringent approach. This is the main reason as to why many engineers and AHJs prefer UL listing over ETL listing.

One can understand this better after reading an article entitled “When Laboratories Collide, UL VS ETL Testing by Andrew Jimenez of Anixter. The Underwriters Laboratories Inc is one of the most respected as well as widely recognized organization of its kind in North America. This great institution is a non-profit making, independent testing as well as certification organization with a reputable history since the year 1894. More than seventy one thousand companies in this area normally produce UL-certified products. Due to this large number of companies, there are more than 100,000 product evaluations every year with more than 500,000 surprise follow-up compliance audits that were conducted in 125 inspection centers in 97 countries. To add more to these capabilities, the UL is very active when it comes to the development of the UL standards. This is in accordance with the ANSI as well as ASTM guidelines.

Underwriters Laboratories have undisputed leader in the United States product safety, certification and performance. This helps to set a benchmark by which all the other organizations in the field are measured. This includes statistics updated from the UL’s website. It is well known that UL does not certify a product till it passes all the necessary requirements plus a very stringent internal review process.

The implemented balances and checks system that UL has tends to cause delays to the manufacturers who are very averse. UL also have a very comprehensive follow-up program in order to ensure that the products made after the certification continue to be manufactured consistently with the first certified and tested product. On the other hand, ETL is considered within the measurement and test community to be less rigorous in both the follow-up and certification of the products which they evaluate.

Most of the manufacturers prefer demanding for certification of an organization. The choice for Underwriters Laboratories was due in part to their unparalleled reputation of integrity. Manufacturers thus want UL’s demanding scrutiny as well as the withering crossfire of the peer review.

The cord-connected and relatively power-limited products like automated fixtures and consoles can be tested at UL at either laboratory, ETL or UL. It only depends on the time to market, costs as well as market preferences. Generally, it is highly recommended that everyone to do his or her own research to search your engineers and ask them about their say regarding ETL and UL. By doing so, you will have a better understanding between the two when carrying out your future projects.

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