UL 1449 3rd Edition – How it affects you & your specification:
Reboots the surge industry with New Terms and New Tests
This causes predictable headaches:
• Savvy surge customers will use terms you have never heard before
• New test results will not meet old specifications
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Performance ratings change – new tests are harder and results will be numerically higher, thus unable to meet existing specifications
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Won’t get what you want, or think you’re getting
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Will waste time trying to evaluate submittals
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Electrical & general contractors and distributors will waste time trying to meet an obsolete spec
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Can get old/obsolete products, which might not be UL Listed, or supported in future
Terminology Shift: The term Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS) is replaced by Surge Protective Device (SPD).
Inclusion of Surge Arresters: Pulls old-style secondary surge arrestors within UL’s SPD performance and safety standard. Effectively obsoletes almost every secondary arrestor on the market as Type 1 SPDs replace them.
Creation of Type Designations: Based on installation location within an electrical distribution system
Type 1: Intended for installation between the secondary of the service transformer and the line side of the service entrance disconnect overcurrent device; may also be used on load side. Type 1 SPDs cannot use external breakers or fuses. Type 1 designation effectively replaces secondary arrestors.
Type 2: Intended for the load side of the service entrance disconnect overcurrent device including branch and distribution panels. Type 2 effectively replaces hardwired TVSS. External breakers and fuses are allowable for Type 2 devices.
Type 3: Point of utilization SPDs; installed at least 10 meters from the electrical service panel (consistent with IEEE C62.41-1991 Category A). Examples are cord connected, direct plug-in SPDs.
Type 4: Components – intended to be part of a complete SPD. Can be a single discrete MOV or a module/assembly consisting of different SPD components, including MOVs, SADs, capacitors, overcurrent protection, etc.
Change in Clamping Voltage Testing: Old tests were 500A, 6,000V. New tests are 3,000A, 6,000V. This is six times more surge energy, which results in higher clamping voltages. This is probably the most significant testing change that makes old style specifications obsolete.
The previous iteration of UL 1449 used 500A testing labeled as Suppressed Voltage Ratings (SVRs). New tests use 3,000A impulses and label results Voltage Protection Ratings (VPRs). VPRs will be numerically higher than SVRs.
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Standard
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UL 1449 2nd Edition (Old)
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UL 1449 3rd Edition (New)
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Test
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500A/6kV
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3,000A/6kV
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Title
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Suppressed Voltage Rating (SVR)
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Voltage Protection Rating (VPR)
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Creation of Nominal Discharge Current Test (In): This new test originated from IEC style testing whereby a SPD must remain functional after being subjected to 15 repetitive impulses of a specified value, (listed below). Every mode of protection is tested, including any required overcurrent protection. Between impulses, the SPD is energized at MCOV. The test format tends to cause heat accumulation, which makes this much more difficult than face value suggests. This testing is performed in conjunction with VPR tests explained above. Type 1’s can be tested at 10kA and 20kA, Type 2’s to 3kA, 5kA, 10kA and 20kA.
UL96A Lightning Protection Master Label impact: In the past, UL 96A required surge suppressors evaluated as secondary arrestors. There were issues associated with different regulation and administration. Secondary arrestors now evolve into Type 1 SPDs, and UL 96A will accept Type 1 or Type 2 SPDs having 20kA Inominal ratings.