UL-48-BULLETINS-2005.pdf

Subject 48 November 11, 2005 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following items are for preliminary review by the STP and UL 48 subscribers. Comments are being solicited regarding these items. Comments may not receive oficial responses but will be provided to the proposal authors with the request that they be taken into consideration (with possible revisions to the proposals) prior to the proposals advancing to ballot and formal public comment. There is no voting being done at this time. The Proposed Fifteenth Edition of UL 48, the Standard for Electric Signs, including the following changes: a) reorganized and clarified requirements to improve usability of the standard; 6) revised and updated scope to clarify products covered by standard such as art forms and Class 2 powered signs; c) expansion of glossary to define additional terms; d) expansion of requirements for section signs including instructions and markings; e) updating of test requirements; 4 updating sign requirements to include additional lighting sources such as LCD, LED, etc.; and g) updating and clarifying component requirements including eliminating specific component requirements previously specified in UL 48 but now covered by the Standard for Sign Components, UL 8 79. COMMENTS DUE: December I I, 2005 The Proposed Fifteenth Edition of UL 48, the Standard for Electric Signs, including the following changes: a) reorganized and clarified requirements to improve usability of the standard; b) revised and updated scope to clarify products covered by standard such as art forms and Class 2 powered signs; c) expansion of glossary to define additional terms; d) expansion of requirements for section signs including instructions and markings; e) updating of test requirements; f) updating sign requirements to include additional lighting sources such as LCD, LED, etc.; and g) updating and clarifying component requirements including eliminating specific component requirements previously specified in UL 48 but now covered by the Standard for Sign Components, UL 879. BACKGROUND A meeting of the Standards Technical Panel of STP 48 was held May 13 through 16, 2003 in Rosemont, Illinois. Among other topics at that meeting was the discussion of a UL proposed 15th Edition of UL 48. While the STP recognized that the 14th edition of UL 48 presents some usability challenges and could benefit from reorganization and clarification, it was felt that the new edition as presented was not a viable solution to those issues. The STP decided to form a working group to develop a restructured and more usable document. A revised draft of the 15th Edition of UL 48 was developed based on initial comments and direction from the STP. Another meeting of the STP was held June 8-10, 2004 to discuss the revised draft of the proposed new edition of UL 48 and to solicit input from STP members. While the STP members attending the meeting generally agreed with the content of the new draft, STP members felt that the Mechanical Construction Section of the draft still needed further restructuring to provide a suitable level of usability by sign manufacturers. Another task group was formed to revise the draft standard focusing attention on the organization of the mechanical section of the standard. Copyright Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Provided by IHS under license with ULLicensee=Army Northwestern Div./7838506130, User=abc, abcdd Not for Resale, 09/09/2006 23:21:00 MDTNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS -,-,- SUBJECT 48 -2- NOVEMBER 11,2005 The proposed 15th edition of UL 48 presented at this time is the result of the work discussed above. RATIONALE a) Reorganization - Based on recommendations from the sign industry and UL, the basic organization of Section 4.1 (Construction - Mechanical) was revised and the requirements made more specific to improve the usability of the standard. For example, the requirements for the most common signs are found in the main portion of the mechanical construction section, Section 4.1. Selected requirements for less common signs and sign construction such as those for glass panels and cord connected signs were relocated to a special section covering Supplementary Requirements, Section 4.4. b) Scope - The basic scope of UL 48, as defined in 1 .I through 1.4, was revised and updated to more clearly define the products covered by the standard. This included specific references to Class 2 powered signs which are included in UL 48 as well as illuminated art forms which are referenced in Article 600 of the NEC as signs and are included in UL 48. c) Glossary - In order to improve the usability of UL 48 as well as update it to include reference to current terminology, the glossary contained in Section 2 of UL 48 was expanded to include additional terms. d) Section Signs Requirements - The requirements for section signs was expanded and updated to include more specific requirements for installation instructions and markings. e) Test Requirements - The proposed 15th Edition of UL 48 includes revised and update test requirements. Refer to Section 5 of the proposed draft of UL 48. f) Illumination Sources - UL 48 was revised to include specific reference to the latest illumination sources included in the requirements of UL 48. These would include sources such as LCD, LED, and Electroluminescence. g) Component Requirements - The Eighth Edition of the Standard for Sign Components, UL 879 was issued June 6, 2005. This expanded edition compiled for the first time the requirements for a comprehensive list of components intended specifically for use in electric signs. The proposed 15th Edition of UL 48 was revised to eliminate any component requirements now included in UL 879 as well as specifically reference UL 879 for all component requirements now covered by the new edition of UL 879. PROPOSAL 1 Scope 1 .I These requirements cover all electric signs, art forms and outline lighting for use in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. 1.2 Electric signs include all signs that are electrically operated and/or electrically illuminated, including but not limited to the following methods of illumination: incandescent, fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID), electric discharge tubing including neon, light emitting diode (LED), skeletal neon tubing, cold-cat hode lighting systems, and electro1 u mi nescence. Copyright Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Provided by IHS under license with ULLicensee=Army Northwestern Div./7838506130, User=abc, abcdd Not for Resale, 09/09/2006 23:21:00 MDTNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS -,-,- SUBJECT 48 -3- NOVEMBER 11,2005 1.3 Electric signs covered by these requirements also include, but are not limited to, awning signs, trailer-mounted signs, electrically or mechanically animated signs, and changing message signs, including scrolling, flipper, tri-view, liquid crystal display (LCD) and other electrically operated signs that are not necessarily illuminated. 1.4 These requirements do not cover the following: a) Illuminated Clocks operating at 600V or less; b) Exit Signs; refer to UL 924 , Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment; c) The trailer of a trailer mounted sign; d) Luminaires mounted to function as outline lighting; refer to UL 1598 , Luminaires; e) Luminaires mounted within an Awning Sign; refer to UL 1598 , Luminaires; f) Signs that do not use electricity; g) Luminaires intended for billboard illumination; refer to UL 1598 , Luminaires; h) Fiber optics or Fiber optic Illuminators; i) Signs for use in hazardous (classified) locations as defined in National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. 2 Glossary 2.1 For the purpose of this standard the following definitions apply. 2.2 ACCESSIBILITY BARRIER - A material provided to limit access to: a) uninsulated live parts, b) dead metal parts that are at a risk of being energized and are not grounded, and c) live parts insulated with materials not intended to be subject to user contact, or d) moving parts that present a risk of injury. If all or part of the barrier also serves as an enclosure, see Enclosure, 2.21. 2.3 ACCESSIBLE PART - See Part, 2.44. 2.4 ADHESIVE - Bonding material (¡.e. epoxy, paste, cement) placed between parts to be fastened together that adheres to each part, and remains the securement medium between the parts. 2.5 AWNING SIGN - A fixed structure with flexible or rigid sign face material extending over a window, door, patio, walkway, etc. providing protection from the weather and integral illumination of the signage. 2.6 BARRIER - See Accessibility Barrier, 2.2, Insulating Barrier, 2.31, and Water Shield, 2.77 Copyright Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Provided by IHS under license with ULLicensee=Army Northwestern Div./7838506130, User=abc, abcdd Not for Resale, 09/09/2006 23:21:00 MDTNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS -,-,- SUBJECT 48 -4- NOVEMBER 11,2005 2.7 BONDING - Permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrical conductivity path that provides electrical continuity between dead metal parts and the capacity to conduct any fault current that may occur. 2.8 CANOPY - A device provided with a sign, or separately, that is used to cover an outlet box. A canopy is capable of being secured to an outlet box or to a ceiling. 2.9 CANOPY SIGN - A sign that is supported and suspended from an outlet box by a chain, stem, or cable. 2.10 CLASS 2 CIRCUIT -Wiring, conductors, and components connected to only to a Class 2 supply source. See Class 2 Supply Source, 2.1 1. 2.1 1 CLASS 2 SUPPLY SOURCE - An electrical source such as a transformer, power supply, or battery having an open-circuit voltage that is less than 30 V rms (42.4 V peak) or 60 V DC and having limited energy available in the circuit under load conditions, including short circuit and extremely low resistance as specified by the current and VA limitations of the Article 725 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70. 2.12 COLD CATHODE - An industry term for lighting systems consisting of neon tubing typically larger than 15 mm diameter and that operates between 120 and 240 ma. Cold cathode tubing is similar to other forms of neon tubing that do not require heating above ambient temperatures to initiate ionization and illumination of the tubing. These systems are typically used for general illumination in accordance with Article 410 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70 or outline lighting in accordance with Article 600 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70. 2.13 DAMP LOCATION - See Location of Use Designation, 2.36. 2.14 DECORATIVE PART - A part which, if removed, does not result in the product no longer complying with the requirements. 2.15 DRY LOCATION - See Location of Use Designation, 2.36. 2.16 ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LIGHTING - System of illumination whereby current is passed through a gas medium. This includes neon, cold cathode, fluorescent, and high intensity discharge (HID) types of illumination. 2.1 7 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - A general term including fittings, boxes, wireways, switches, receptacles, panelboards, appliances, luminaries (fixtures), and the like used as a part of an electric sign. 2.1 8 ELECTRODE RECEPTACLE - Insulating receptacle intended to accept electrodes of neon tubing. An individual receptacle may or may not be provided with an integral outer enclosure of metal or other material. 2.19 ELECTRODE SPLICE ENCLOSURE - Component specifically intended to enclose a splice between a GTO cable conductor and the leads of a neon tube electrode. 2.20 ELECTROLUMINESCENT - The emission of light from phosphor coatings excited by an electrostatic (capacitive) field. Copyright Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Provided by IHS under license with ULLicensee=Army Northwestern Div./7838506130, User=abc, abcdd Not for Resale, 09/09/2006 23:21:00 MDTNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS -,-,- SUBJECT 48 -5- NOVEMBER 11,2005 2.21 ENCLOSURE - A part of the sign that encloses electrical and mechanical parts and components that involve the risk of electric shock, hazardous energy, fire, and moving parts capable of causing injury. All or part of the enclosure may also serve as a water shield, sign body, or sign face. 2.22 FIXED SIGN - A sign intended to be permanently connected to an electrical supply source. 2.23 GROUNDED CONDUCTOR - A system or circuit conductor intentionally connected to ground at the building supply source, also referred to as “common” or “neutral.” 2.24 GROUNDING CONDUCTOR, EQUIPMENT - The conductor used to connect the non-current- carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor, or both at the service equipment or at the source of a separately derived system. 2.25 GFCI (GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER) - A device intended to reduce the risk of electric shock by de-energizing a circuit within a certain amount of time after a fault to ground has been detected. 2.26 GTO CABLE - Gas-Tube-Sign Cable (formerly known as Gas Tube Oil Ignition Cable). Rated 5KV, IOKV, or 15KV for use between the secondary or output of a neon supply and neon tubing and between segments of neon tubing. 2.27 GTO SLEEVING - Material specifically identified for use over GTO cable. 2.28 GTO CABLE SPLICE ENCLOSURE - Containment device intended to enclose the splice of two lengths of GTO cable that complies with the enclosure requirements. 2.29 HID (HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE) LAMP - A lamp that produces light from an electric discharge between electrodes in a gas or vapor at normal or high pressure. Common types include mercury vapor, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium lamps. 2.30 ILLUMINATION - Capable of emitting light from one of the following electrical sources: Incandescent, Fluorescent, Induction Lighting, HID, Halogen, Xenon, Neon, Cold Cathode, LED, and Electroluminescent. 2.31 INSULATING BARRIER - A barrier provided in place of a required electrical spacing. 2.32 INTEGRALLY SLEEVED GTO CABLE - GTO cable that complies with the requirements for Integrally Sleeved GTO Cable in UL 879 , Electric Sign Components, and is marked ”Integrally Sleeved”. 2.33 LAMP - Incandescent, fluorescent, or HID bulb. 2.34 LED (Light Emitting Diode) - A semiconductor device that produces light at the junction of semiconductor materials. 2.35 LIVE PART - An electrically insulated or uninsulated conductive part that has a potential difference during operation with respect to ground or any other conductive part. 2.36 LOCATION OF USE DESIGNATION Copyright Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Provided by IHS under license with ULLicensee=Army Northwestern Div./7838506130, User=abc, abcdd Not for Resale, 09/09/2006 23:21:00 MDTNo reproduction or networking permitted without license