D0 you produce or use electrical equipment that needs to be certified as explosion proof? When it comes to this type of verified compliance in the U.S., UL and the UL 1203, “Standard for Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations,” is the place to turn. This safety standard allows the electronic equipment you manufacture or use to be labeled with the UL mark confirming conformity. And it allows you to meet the requirements of the National Electric Code (NEC), the NFPA 70.
The term “hazardous (classified) locations” means a potentially explosive atmosphere. In the NEC, these locations are divided into 3 distinct classes: Class I – fire or explosion hazards from flammable gases, vapors or liquids, Class II- from combustible dusts, and Class III – from ignitable fibers.
You’ll use the UL 1203 for hazardous locations in the Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D, and Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, and G categories. Other explosion-proof categories covered by this standard are the Class I, Zone 1, Groups IIA, IIB, and IIC locations. And for dust-ignition-proof situations, it includes Zone 20, 21, and 22 locations.
The UL 1203 standard has been generated specifically for product certification. UL, the Underwriters Lab, has been testing and certifying products since 1894. This standard is used for testing to the following atmospheric conditions:
- A minimum ambient temperature of minus 50° C (minus 58° F),
- An oxygen concentration not greater than 21 percent by volume, and
- A nominal barometric pressure of one atmosphere.
If you’ve used the following UL standards in the past, they are now covered by the UL 1203:
The new 180-page 5th edition to ANSI/UL 1203 includes technical and editorial changes and an update to the ANSI approval. You can purchase a copy from Document Center Inc. via our web store, www.document-center.com. Or you are always welcome to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We know how essential product certification and the standards that support this process can be to your business. Make us your Standards Experts!
