Download IFDR Scope and Requirement Comments

Issued: June 4, 2004
Revised: February 27, 2007
IFDR Scope and Requirement Comments
As part of this industry review, UL will be confirming that products included in the Low Voltage
Incandescent Luminaires and Fittings category, IFDR, are appropriate to remain in the category. There
may be low voltage lighting products Listed in IFDR where the intended lighting product usage is now
recognized to require Listing in another lighting product category. Where such luminaires are encountered
by UL during this industry review, we will work with the Applicant to have the luminaire evaluated for
Listing for the intended use and in the proper category. The information below summarizes the criteria for
establishing whether or not a low voltage lighting product is covered within the scope IFDR. Applicants
needing assistance to apply the IFDR Scope and Requirements Criteria in below to a specific low voltage
lighting product can contact UL.
The scope of IFDR might change before 2007. If this happens, the IFDR Scope and Requirements
Criteria below will also change. The latest scope for the IFDR category can always be found in the Guide
Information for the category in the Online Certifications Directory. A manufacturer can also always contact
UL with a specific product of interest to confirm the category and requirements that apply.
Where a low voltage lighting product is intended for use in ways covered by two or more product
categories, UL’s Complementary Listing program can be pursued. In the UL Complementary Listing
program, the product is confirmed to comply with the applicable requirements for all involved types of use
and is then authorized to bear the UL Listing Mark for both uses and categories.
UL believes there are some low voltage lighting products that require Listing in IFDR but were previously
Listed in Luminaires and Fittings, Special Purposes, Miscellaneous, IETR; and Luminaire Fittings, IFFX.
Therefore, as part of this industry review, the Listings of these two categories (IETR and IFFX) will also be
reviewed to identify those products that need to be relocated to IFDR. In these situations, further
evaluation may be required.
Summary IFDR Scope and Requirement Criteria
1 Products Covered in IFDR
1.1 IFDR covers the products identified in items (a) through (d) below. As used in this document, low
voltage refers to maximum 30 volts RMS, 42.4 volts peak.
a) A low voltage lighting power unit with low voltage output circuit(s) and that meets at least one of
criteria 1, 2, or 3 below. [Requirements of UL2108 apply]
1. The power unit has a rated output current of not more than 25 ampere, and is capable of
being readily connected by a fixed wiring means to the branch circuit.
2. The power unit has a rated output current of not more than 25 amperes, is provided with a
power supply cord, and is intended to supply a field-installed exposed bare conductor circuit
for luminaires.
3. The power unit has a Class 2 output circuit, is provided with a power supply cord, and is
intended to supply a field-installed Class 2 circuit for luminaires.
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b) A low voltage luminaire with incandescent or LED lamp and that meets at least one of criteria 1,
2, 3, or 4 below.
1. The luminaire is intended to be connected to a field-installed exposed bare conductor circuit
(as defined in 3.6 of UL2108) rated 25 amperes or less. [Requirements of UL2108 apply]
2. The luminaire has exposed bare conductors (as defined in 3.6 of UL2108) and is intended to
be connected to a field-installed circuit rated 25 amperes or less. [Requirements of UL2108
apply]
3. The luminaire is intended to be connected to a field-installed Class 2 circuit. [Requirements of
UL2108 apply]
4. The (low voltage) luminaire does not meet criteria 1, 2, or 3 above. [Requirements of
applicable standard of UL1574 or UL1598 apply].
c) A low voltage luminaire fitting that is a part or subassembly intended for final assembly into lowvoltage luminaires or low voltage luminaire systems in the field. [Requirements for final assembly
as specified in items (a) and (b) above apply.]
d) A low voltage lighting system. A system must include a low voltage lighting power unit of (a) and
one or more low voltage luminaires of (b). The system may also include one or more low voltage
circuit conductors or parts or low voltage luminaire fittings. [Requirements for system
components as specified in items (a), (b), and (c) above apply.]
2 Some Products Not Covered in IFDR
2.1 IFDR does not cover the products identified in (a) through (h) below. Complementary Listing can be
pursued if intended usage for low voltage lighting product places it in both IFDR and another category,
such as the identified below.
a) A product with a circuit operating at more than 30 volts RMS or 42.4 volts peak not entirely
contained within a separate and remote power unit.
b) Landscape lighting products, which are covered in IFDH and UL1838.
c) A product intended for installation into open or enclosed portable cabinets such as china
hutches, bookcases, etc, which are covered in QOVJ and UL153.
d) Stage and studio luminaires, IFDZ and UL1573.
e) Emergency Lighting or Exit Fixtures, FTBR and FWBQ, UL924.
f)
Floor Proximity Egress Path Marking Systems, IMZI and UL1994.
g) Underwater luminaires.
h) A lighting product where the power unit and lamp are both part of the factory-provided assembly
that does not involve a field-installed low voltage circuit.
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SUMMARY OF UL2108 REQUIREMENTS
The following is a brief summary of some, but not all, of the requirements in the new Standard for Low
Voltage Lighting Systems, UL 2108, which have a future Effective Date of October 15, 2008 and the
action that may be required to determine compliance. Anyone assessing a product for compliance with
the requirements of UL2108 must review UL 2108 in its entirety. There are many requirements in UL2108
that are not summarized below. Those requirements summarized below are those thought by UL to be of
wide interest to manufacturers and others associated with Low Voltage Lighting Systems.
The first edition of Standard for Low Voltage Lighting Systems, UL 2108, provides the new requirements
for
a) Low voltage lighting power units,
b) Low-voltage exposed conductor lighting systems and luminaires incorporating exposed
conductors, and
c) Class 2 low voltage lighting systems.
The above products as well as low voltage luminaire fittings (parts and/or subassemblies intended for
final assembly into one of the above products in the field) must be reviewed to determine compliance with
all of the requirements of UL 2108.
Brief Summary Of Some Requirements:
Paragraphs
General Subject and Comment
7.2 – Power Unit
Output Rating Limits
The output circuit of a power unit shall not exceed 30 volts (42.4 volts peak),
25 amperes per circuit under any conditions of load.
9.1 – Parts That Must
Be Enclosed.
All splices, current-carrying parts, devices with current-carrying parts that do
not have integral enclosures or are not protected as required for exposed bare
and insulated conductors (Section 30) shall be provided with an enclosure
complying with the requirements of Section 9, Enclosure.
Products marked for wet locations shall comply with additional wet location
construction and performance requirements of UL1598.
13.2 – Damp and Wet
Location Products and
UL1598
14.1, 34.4.5 –
Conductor Material
Other Than Copper or
Copper Alloy
Products that use a conductor material other than copper or copper alloy shall
comply with the 84 8-hr cycles of operation at rated power during the Normal
Temperature Test.
17.1 – Transformer
Winding Isolation
The primary and secondary windings of a transformer shall be isolated and
comply with one of the following standards:
a) Specialty Transformers, UL 506;
b) Class 2 and Class 3 Transformers, UL 1585;
c) Transformer and Motor Transformers for Use in Audio-, Radio- and
Television-Type Appliances, UL 1411;
d) Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Systems, UL 1838
e) Power Units Other Than Class 2, UL 1012; or
f) Class 2 Power Units, UL 1310.
Subject No.
17.3 – Transformer
Winding Isolation for
Exposed Bare
Conductor Lighting
Systems or for Wet
Locations
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The construction of a transformer in a power unit used with an exposed bare
conductor lighting system or a power unit marked suitable for wet locations
shall include at least one of the following:
a) Primary and secondary windings mounted on separate sections of the core;
b) Primary and secondary windings separated by a shield of copper minimum
0.002 inches (0.051 mm) thick, or brass, minimum 0.005 inches (0.127 mm)
thick;
c) A flanged bobbin-wound construction that complies with UL 1012, Standard
for Power Units Other than Class 2;
d) A split bobbin construction and comply with the requirements for double
insulation in UL 1097 or UL 2097, Reference Standards for Double Insulation
Systems for Use in Electrical and Electronic Equipment;
e) Comply with Transformer and Motor Transformers for Use in Audio-, Radioand Television-Type Appliances, UL 1411, construction, performance, and
3500 V rms dielectric voltage withstand test requirements; or
f) Comply with the Class 2 requirements in Class 2 and Class 3 Transformers,
UL 1585, or Class 2 Power Units, UL 1310.
19.5 – Power Unit
Integral Protection for
Exposed Bare
Conductor Systems
27.4 – Electrical
Bonding Path Not
Depend on
Dimensional Integrity
of Polymeric Material
Section 28 – Supply
Connections
Section 30 – Exposed
Bare and Insulated
Conductors
33.2.2 – Maximum
Output Test
34.2.3, 34.2.4, 42.2.8
– When 2-Volt DC
Offset Is Used
A power unit with an output circuit available power exceeding Class 2 limits
and intended for use as part of an exposed bare conductor lighting system
shall be provided with integral protection against inadvertent shorting and
overloading of the exposed conductors. The effectiveness of the protection
shall be evaluated by compliance with the Exposed Bare Conductor Abnormal
Operation Test described in Section 38.
The continuity of the electrical bonding path shall not rely on the dimensional
integrity of a polymeric material if the design has not been found to comply
with the applicable requirements in the Standard for Polymeric Materials – Use
in Electrical Equipment Evaluations, UL746C.
A power unit for use only as part of exposed bare conductor lighting systems
or Class 2 lighting systems, or both, shall be provided with either (a) a power
supply cord (includes attachment plug) or (b) means for permanent electrical
connection and installation. All other power units shall be provided with means
for permanent electrical connection and installation.
Requirements for exposed bare and exposed insulated conductors and the
involved lighting systems are specified in Section 30. Exposed bare
conductors not (a) supplied by a power unit provided with integral protection
against inadvertent shorting and overloading, (b) supplied by a Class 2 power
unit, or (c) provided with insulation meeting the Section 9 Enclosure
requirements must comply with the Section 44 Insulated Conductor Dielectric
Withstand Test and be intended and marked for mounting at least 7 feet above
the floor.
Means shall be provided to prevent a power unit from delivering an output
current of 33.75 amperes or more for 1 or more hours immediately after having
been operated until temperature stabilization while loaded at rated current.
A power unit shall be (a) marked “Not for use with dimmers”; (b) marked
“Dimmer, if used, must be a magnetic low-voltage dimmer” if the power unit is
magnetic or “Dimmer, if used must be electronic low-voltage dimmer” if the
Subject No.
34.4.1, 34.4.2, 34.4.3,
34.4.4 – Test Ceilings,
Cabinets, and
Shelves.
Section 35 - Abnormal
Recessed
Temperature Test
Section 36 - Overload
Test
Section 37 - Dielectric
Voltage Withstand
Test
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power unit is electronic, or equivalent wording; or (c) be subjected to the
Normal Temperature Test with a 2-volt dc offset.
Surface mounted, recessed mounted, and under-cabinet or shelf mounted
products shall be subject to the Normal Temperature with test configuration
and conditions as specified in correlating applicable requirements in the
Standard for Luminaires, UL1598. A product intended for installation in an
open or enclosed cabinet shall be subjected to the Normal Temperature Test
while mounted in the test box for portable cabinet lights described in the
Standard for Portable Electric Luminaires, UL 153.
When marked “Type Non-IC Recessed”, a recessed power unit or luminaire
shall comply with the Abnormal Temperature Test of the Standard for
Luminaires, UL1598 and meet specific temperature requirements, depending
on whether or not the thermal protector operates within 3 hours.
All power units shall be operated with an output load of 115 percent of rated
wattage while enclosure temperatures are monitored and while being
monitored for operation of a protector or transformer burn-out. If a thermal
protector does not operate and transformer burnout does not occur, the output
load is increased by another 15 percent of rated wattage and the test
procedure continued. The test procedure is repeated with 15 percent load
increases until enclosure temperatures exceed 90C (160C for certain
situations), the thermal protector operates, or transformer burnout occurs.
When an automatic resetting thermal protector operates, the power unit is
operated for 18 days. A Dielectric Voltage Withstand Test is conducted at
conclusion of operation.
1000 Volts plus twice the rated voltage between the primary circuit and the
exposed grounded dead metal of the enclosure; and
2500 volts between the primary circuit and the isolated output circuit.
Section 38 – Exposed
Bare Conductor
Abnormal Operation
Test
The output circuit of the power unit for an exposed bare conductor system is
connected to both (a) up to 30 feet of the exposed bare conductors of the
system and (b) a “test shorting fixture”, described in UL 2108. A representative
luminaire load of 80 percent of the power unit rating is connected to the
exposed bare conductors. An 8-inch length of 22 AWG solid tin-plated copper
conductor is installed in the test-shorting fixture to short circuit the output
circuit of the power unit. Under the various test configurations specified in
UL2108, testing is completed to determine if, within one minute, one or more of
(a) the test shorting wire melts or (b) the exposed bare conductor is deenergized occurs. Compliance occurs when (a) the test shorting wire does not
melt through and the exposed bare conductors are de-energized within 1
minute or (b) the exposed bare conductors are not de-energized within 1
minute and the design meets additional repeated test conditions (see 38.8).
Section 39 –
Component Fault Test
Under conditions of faulted electronic components (as specified in 20.4), a
power unit shall not exhibit a risk of fire or electric shock.
Section 40 –
Grounding Continuity
Test
The bonding path between the grounding means and a metal enclosure
required to be bonded to the equipment-grounding conductor shall not exceed
0.1 ohm.
Section 41 – Impact
Test
Power units with a polymeric enclosure are subjected to a 5 ft-lb impact test. A
power unit marked for damp or wet locations are preconditioned at 0C and
minus 35C, respectively.
Section 42 – Strain
Relief for Flexible Cord
Test
One-minute 35 lb force.
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Section 43 - Mounting
Means Test
Exposed bare conductor system is installed on a simulated ceiling of 3/8 thick
plasterboard. A weight of three times that of the power unit or 25 lb, whichever
is greater is suspected from the power unit. A weight of four times that of the
heaviest luminaire (including lamp) or 20 lb, whichever is greater, is
suspended from a luminaire connector located midway between two exposed
bare conductors.
Section 44 – Insulated
Conductor Dielectric
Withstand Test
Applies to certain exposed insulated conductors intended to be installed at
least 7 feet above the floor. One minute, 500 volt potential.
Section 45 – Loose
Luminaire/Connection
Test
Applies to products with connections that rely upon user adjustments made
without the use of tools. Similar to the Normal Temperature Test except user
connections are made in the loosest condition possible without jeopardizing
the integrity of the assembly. Temperatures exhibited at the connections are
monitored and must meet certain criteria.
Manufacturing and
Production Tests
100 percent of production for power units - Dielectric Voltage Withstand Test
and, if provided with a grounding attachment plug, Continuity of Grounding
Connection Test
48.2.2 - Power Unit
Electrical Rating
Markings
The electrical rating marking for a power unit shall include input voltage, input
current, frequency, nominal output voltage, and output wattage.
Part II
Identifies requirements for exposed bare conductor luminaires and Class 2
luminaires.
53.2(a) Luminaire
Enclosure
Flammability
The polymeric enclosure of the luminaire for an exposed bare conductor
system shall be V-0 or better. The polymeric enclosure of a luminaire for a
Class 2 system shall be HB or better.
53.2(b) Impact,
Section 61
Luminaire for an exposed bare conductor system shall comply with the Section
61 Luminaire Drop Impact Test – A three-foot drop.
Section 55 –
Tungsten-Halogen
Lamp Containment
Barrier and UV Filter
Requirements for these design features are provided in this section.
56.3 Flexible cord
supporting luminaires
Maximum flexible cord supported luminaire weight is specified, depending on
type of flexible cord.
Section 62 – Strain
Relief For Conductor
Test
Twenty pound, 1 minute.