UL International (Netherlands) B.V.
Delta 1a, 6825ML, the Netherlands
Sander.Nieuwenhuijzen@nl.ul.com
Electric products such as motors, transformers and coils that find their final destination in North America need to comply with requirements as found in the applicable safety standard, to ensure safe product use and to prevent a risk of fire. Underwriters Laboratories as third-party certification organization, provides product safety marks for these and many other products.
For mentioned products, one of the requirements is that all polymeric materials that are in contact with the windings are part of a so-called ‘electrical insulation system’ and have been tested according UL 1446 – Electrical Insulation Systems. The scope of this standard is to investigate whether the critical insulating polymeric materials, operating at elevated temperatures, maintain their electrical insulating properties and not prematurely degrade. Failure of the insulation may lead to a risk of shock, fire or personal injury. The degradation mechanism is accelerated by temperature and the near presence of other polymeric materials that together may create a chemical aggressive environment.
The presentation will give an overview of the requirements of UL 1446, short and long term testing, and the process of selecting an electrical insulation system.