Effective April 1, 2016

Standard Information
Standard Number:
UL 1088
Standard Name:
Temporary Lighting Strings
Standard Edition and Issue Date:
6th Edition Dated August 29, 2005
Date of Revision:
March 11, 2014
Date of Previous Revisions to Standard:
6th Edition Dated December 2, 2008
 
Effective Date of New/Revised Requirements

Effective Date (see Schedule below): April 1, 2016

 
Impact, Overview, Fees and Action Required

Impact Statement: A review of all Listing Reports is necessary to determine which products comply with new/revised requirements and which products will require re-evaluation. NOTE: Effective immediately, this revised standard will be exclusively used for evaluation of new products unless the Applicant requests in writing that current requirements be used along with their understanding that their listings will be withdrawn on Effective Date noted above, unless the product is found to comply with new/revised requirements.

Overview of Changes: This revision includes requirements for self-ballasted lamps and LED light sources that are not addressed previously by the standard. Since UL 1088 was specifically written for lighting strings provided with medium and admedium lampholders, new tests and clarification of requirements are necessary throughout the standard. These revisions address lighting strings employing ANSI GU24 lampholders designed for energy efficient light sources, as well as new gasket and fitting requirements to address strings employing non-replaceable LED sources. Specific details of new/revised requirements are found in table below.

Schedule: So that shipping of products with Listing Marks will not be interrupted, an approximate schedule has been established to ensure Listing Reports are found compliant by Effective Date:

  • August 3, 2015 = 8 Month Report Review – Intertek will review all Reports. Update if compliance is verified or issue Findings Letter/Quote for any re-evaluations needed
  • October 2, 2015 = 6 Month Quote Cut-off – Quotes returned for necessary re-evaluations
  • March 1, 2016 = 30 Day Warning – Client advised of all non-compliant Reports to be Suspended
  • April 1, 2016 = Effective Date – ATM Suspended for all non-compliant Reports

Fees: An initial review of Listing Report (s) will be covered by a direct billing project and will be invoiced at not more than $1000 per report.

Client Action Required:

Information - To assist our Engineer with review of your Listing Reports, please submit technical information in response to the new/revised paragraphs noted in the attached or explain why these new/revised requirements do not apply to your product (s).

Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.

 
Description of New/Revised Technical Requirements
ClauseVerdictComment
5InfoCONSTRUCTION
5.4 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

A temporary lighting string shall employ a minimum of two non-replaceable light sources or two lampholders and shall have a minimum length of 25 ft (7.6 m).

5.5 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

Adjacent lampholders or non-replaceable light sources of a temporary lighting string shall be spaced a maximum of 25 feet (7.6 m) apart.

5.6  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

A temporary lighting string employing cable shall not be provided with an attachment plug or a cord connector unless specifically evaluated for the application and complying with applicable requirements ofFittings, Section 11, and Cord Connectors, Section 12.

5.7  

New clause added;

An attachment plug provided with a temporary lighting string shall be in accordance with applicable requirements of Fittings, Section 11.

5.8  

New clause added;

A cord connector provided with a temporary lighting string employing lampholders shall be in accordance with Cord Connectors, Section 12, and applicable requirements of Fittings, Section 11.

5.9  

New clause added;

A cord connector provided with a temporary lighting string employing non-replaceable light sources shall be in accordance with 12.7.

5.10  

New clause added;

A self-ballasted lamp provided with a temporary lighting string shall be suitable for damp or wet locations in accordance with the marking required by 36.6.1 and comply with the Standard for Self-Ballasted Lamps and Lamp Adapters, UL 1993.

5.11  

New clause added;

Light emitting diode (LED) components and subassemblies integral to a temporary lighting string covered by this standard shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Standard for Light Emitting Diode (LED) Equipment for Use in Lighting Products, UL 8750.

5.12  

New clause added;

A through cord power supply provided with a temporary lighting string that employs non-replaceable light sources shall be provided with integral overcurrent protection that complies with the Standard for Low-Voltage Fuses – Part 1: General Requirements, UL 248-1, and the Standard for Low-Voltage Fuses – Part 14: Supplemental Fuses, UL 248-14.

Exception: A temporary lighting string employing a through cord power supply that complies with the applicable requirements in the Standard for Class 2 Power Units, UL 1310, need not be provided with integral overcurrent protection.

8 InfoMechanical Assembly
8.1  

New clause added;

The enclosure of a non-replaceable light source shall be assembled by fasteners that are tamper resistant, such as by one-way fasteners, uniquely keyed screws, rivets, welding or adhesives.

12 InfoCord Connectors
12.1  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below;

The Other than as specified in 12.7, the cord connector shall be of a single outlet grounding type as shown in Figure 11.1 and shall comply with 12.2 – 12.6.

12.7  

New clause added;

Except for temporary lighting strings constructed of continuous line to load conductors, a cord connector provided with a temporary lighting string that employs non-replaceable light sources shall be of a nonstandard multi-pin configuration and shall comply with the following:

a) The applicable requirements of the Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, UL 498, or the Standard for Cord Sets and Power Supply Cords, UL 817, and be suitable for making and breaking under load with respect to the Overload, Temperature, and Resistance to Arcing tests described in the Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, UL 498.

Exception: A cord connector on a temporary lighting string employing a through cord Power Supply that complies with the Standard for Class 2 Power Units, UL 1310, need not be evaluated for making and breaking under load.

b) The pins shall be recessed such that the male and female connectors are mechanically secured prior to any electrical connection. c) The connectors shall be subjected to the Water Spray Test, Section 27, in any position where the pins initially make an electrical connection (i.e. partially inserted and connector ring or latch may be opened).

d) The connector shall be keyed so that the wires are connected to the correct circuit.

14 InfoLampholders
14.3.1  

New clause added;

A polymeric material used in a GU24 lampholder shall have the following properties:

a) Minimum flammability rating of V-2 as determined by the burning tests described in the Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances, UL 94;

b) Minimum electrical relative thermal index (RTI) of 90°C (194°F) as determined in accordance with the methods described in Standard for Polymeric Materials – Long Term Property Evaluations, UL 746B; and

c) Minimum comparative tracking index (CTI) of 175 as determined in accordance with the methods described in the Standard for Polymeric Materials – Short Term Property Evaluations, UL 746A, and the Standard for Polymeric Materials – Long Term Property Evaluations, UL 746B.

17 InfoLamp Guards
17.2  

New section added;

Water shields and gaskets

17.2.1  

A polymeric water shield that is relied upon to comply with the Water Spray Test, Section 27, shall be made of a UV rated material.

17.2.2  

A polymeric water shield that operates at a temperature higher than 65°C (149°F), but not higher than 95°C (171°F), as determined by Normal Temperature Test, Section 18, and that does not have a recognized temperature rating for the measured temperature shall comply with the Polymeric Thermal Conditioning Test, Section 25A.

17.2.3  

A gasket or bushing material that is relied upon to comply with the Water Spray Test, Section 27, shall be subject to the Accelerated Aging Separate Gasket Test, Section 25B, or the Accelerated Aging Integral Gasket Test, Section 25C.

17.2.4  

A gasket secured by adhesive that is relied upon to comply with the Water Spray Test, Section 27, shall be subject to the Adhesion Separate Gasket Test, Section 25D, or the Adhesion Integral Gasket Test, Section 25E.

18.7  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below;

The following temperature limits of Table 18.2 are based on a room ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F). The temperature test may be made at any ambient temperature within the range of 10 – 40°C (50 – 104°F) and the variation from 25°C (77°F) added to or subtracted from the observed temperature readings.

a) The temperature rating of the insulated wire or flexible cord.

b) The temperature rating of the insulating materials.

c) 15°C (27°F) less than the softening point of a sealing compound.

d) 200°C (392°F) on a lampholder screw shell.

Exception No. 1: A temperature higher than the temperature rating of the material, (b), may be judged acceptable upon successful completion of the Extended Use Test, Section 26. See 14.5.

Exception No. 2: A temperature higher than 200°C (392°F) may be acceptable on screw shells if the parts are reinforced by or formed of monel metal, stainless steel, or other metal acceptable for the higher temperature.

Table 18.2  

New Table added;

22 InfoCrushing Test
22.1  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

An attachment plug, cord connector, tap, splice, non-replaceable light source, and lampholder body without guard or lamp shall be capable of withstanding for 1 minute a crushing 75 lbf (334 N) applied in any direction at right angles to the major axis of the device.

22A  

New section added;

Cold Impact Test

A temporary lighting string employing non-replaceable light sources shall comply with all of the following after being tested as described in 22A.2 – 22A.6:

a) There shall not be any visible damage to the enclosure of the light source that would result in the exposure of live parts as determined by contact with the accessibility probe illustrated in Figure 22A.1;

b) There shall not be any cracking or denting of the enclosure of the light source that would affect the function of any safety controls or constructional features such as overload protective devices, water seals, or strain relief, or result in the exposure of moving parts capable of causing injury to persons; and

c) There shall not be any damage to the enclosure of the light source that would result in the increase of the risk of electric shock as determined by compliance with the Dielectric Voltage- Withstand Test, Section 19.

25A  

New section added;

Polymeric Thermal Conditioning Test

When tested as indicated in 25A.2, a polymeric water shield that operates at a temperature between 65 – 95°C (149 – 203°F) and does not have a recognized temperature rating for the measured temperature shall have no obvious deterioration or deformation after conditioning.

25B  

New section added;

Accelerated Aging Separate Gasket Test

After being subjected to the test as indicated in 25B.2 – 25B.3, a gasket or bushing material shall have a tensile strength of not less than 60 percent and an elongation of not less than 75 percent of the values determined before conditioning.

25C  

New section added;

Accelerated Aging Integral Gasket Test

A sample of the temporary lighting string with the gasket or bushing installed shall be conditioned in a circulating air oven for 240 hours at 20°C (36°F) above the temperature measured on the gasket during the Normal Temperature Test, Section 18. After the conditioning, any joints that use the gasket or bushing for sealing are to be opened.

25D  

New section added;

Adhesion Separate Gasket Test

After being subjected to the test as indicated in 25D.2 – 25D.3, a gasket shall have an adhesion strength, determined as indicated in 25D.4, of not less than 60 percent of the value determined before conditioning.

25E  

New section added;

Adhesion Integral Gasket Test

A sample of the temporary lighting string with a gasket secured in place by adhesive is to be conditioned in a circulating air oven for 240 hours at 20°C (36°F) above the temperature measured on the gasket during the Normal Temperature Test, Section 18. After the conditioning, any joints that use the gasket for sealing are to be opened.

32A  

New section added;

Permanence of Cord Tag Test

When tested as described in 32A.3, a cord tag containing the markings specified in Marking, Section 36, shall comply with all of the following:

a) The tag shall resist tearing longer than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) at any point;

b) The tag shall not separate from the cord;

c) There shall not be permanent shrinkage, deformation, cracking, or any other

condition that may render the marking of the tag illegible; and

d) An overlamination shall remain in place and shall not be torn or otherwise damaged. The printing shall remain legible.

36 InfoMARKING
  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

A temporary lighting string provided with an attachment plug, cord connector, or both shall be marked: “CAUTION – To reduce the risk of electric shock do not connect or disconnect when wet” or equivalent wording. In addition, these temporary lighting strings shall also be marked “For use only on GFCI protected circuits in accordance with Article 590 of the NEC.”

36.5  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below;

The marking on the temporary lighting strings shall be weatherproof. The marking required by 36.1– 36.4 shall be applied by a tag that complies with Permanence of Cord Tag Test, Section 32A, and. The tag shall be weatherproof and tear resistant, shall be of a size that facilitates the legibility of the required markings and shall be applied at the line end of the string. The tags shall be either of the following forms:

a) A flat tag having a hole large enough to accommodate the conductors. To discourage tag removal or destruction the tag shall not be slit from the hole.

b) A flat-type tag with an adhesive back. The tag is to be wrapped tightly once around and to adhere to the conductors. The ends of the tag are to adhere to each other and project as a flag.

36.6  

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below;

The temporary lighting string shall have the lampholder rating marked on or adjacent to each lampholder so as to be visible when relamping, “_____ watts maximum.” The marking shall be plain and permanent in letters at least 3/32 inch (2.4 mm) high, contrasting with the background by embossing, indent printing, or color.

A temporary lighting string that employs lampholders shall have the maximum intended lamp wattage marked on or adjacent to each lampholder so as to be visible when relamping, “_____ watts maximum” or equivalent.

36.6.1  

New clause added;

A temporary lighting string that employs a GU24 lampholder, or that employs a screw lampholder and is intended for use with self-ballasted lamps, shall specify the permitted lamp type(s), self-ballasted compact fluorescent (CFL) or self-ballasted LED lamp, or both.

36.6.2  

New clause added;

The lamp type marking specified in 36.6.1 shall include the environmental rating of the replacement self-ballasted lamps (i.e. damp or wet location).

36.6.3  

New clause added;

The lamp type marking specified in 36.6.1 may be provided on the lampholder or on a flag tag attached to the temporary lighting string. The marking text shall be “Suitable for use with (Damp or Wet location) self-ballasted (CFL or LED) lamps” or equivalent.

If the self-ballasted lamp type information is only provided on the tag, the lampholder marking shall include the text “SEE TAG FOR LAMP TYPE(S)” or equivalent. The tag shall be waterproof and tear resistant, of a size that facilitates the legibility of the marking and shall be applied at the load end of the temporary lighting string.

36.6.4  

New clause added;

The lampholder marking required by 36.6 – 36.6.3 shall be plain and permanent in letters at least 3/32 inch (2.4 mm) high, contrasting with the background by embossing, indent printing, or color.

36.8.1  

New clause added;

A temporary lighting string provided with lampholders shall be marked: “CAUTION – To reduce the risk of electric shock only use self-ballasted lamps with this product if a self-ballasted lamp type is identified on the lampholder or tag” or equivalent wording.

36.8.2  

New clause added;

A temporary lighting string that employs non-replaceable light sources shall be marked: “The light sources are not replaceable.”

36.8.3  

New clause added;

A temporary lighting string provided with a nonstandard multi-pin connector shall be marked within 3 inches (76.2 mm) of the face of the load fitting with the word “CAUTION” and the following:

a) “This temporary lighting string is rated ___ Watts (___ Amps), do not overload. Connect end-to-end only temporary lighting strings of the same model number from the same manufacturer.”

b) “Do not replace or modify any connectors on this product, do not use product if connector is damaged.”

c) “Make sure connectors are fully inserted and any connector rings are twisted until completely secured such that the ring can no longer be turned and the two portions of the connector are completely assembled.”

36.8.4  

New clause added;

The marking required by 36.8.1 – 36.8.3 shall be waterproof. Alternatively the marking may be provided on a waterproof and tear resistant tag, of a size that facilitates the legibility of the required markings. The tag shall be applied at the load end of the temporary lighting string.

   

CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: This Table and column "Verdict" can be used in determining how your current or future production is or will be in compliance with new/revised requirements.

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