UL-588-BULLETINS-2006.pdf

FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION Subject 588 July 28, 2006 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following topics are being recirculated: 2. Revision of individual fl ashing lamp requirements to allow alternative constructions that do not permit an individual-fl ashing lamp to be installed in a lampholder intended for a steady-illuminating lamp in the same lighting string 8. Requirements for lighting sculptures consisting of multiple sections 12. Increased current rating for motorized tree stands and lighting sculptures 14. Addition of requirements for lighting strings intended for use on a patio umbrella 17. Revision to allow a light string that operates without bulbs in the sockets 18. Addition of alternate rain test for series connected lighting strings 19. Clarifi cation of lamp replacement instructions 20. Miscellaneous corrections and clarifi cations STP BALLOTS AND ALL COMMENTS DUE: September 11, 2006 For your convenience in review, proposed additions to the previously proposed requirements are shown underlined and proposed deletions are shown lined-out. 2. Revision of individual fl ashing lamp requirements to allow alternative constructions that do not permit an individual-fl ashing lamp to be installed in a lampholder intended for a steady-illuminating lamp in the same lighting string RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 2 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 28.3 A series-connected string intended for use with individual-fl ashing lamps that operate by means of a self-contained thermostatically-operated shunting device shall consist of one of the following (see also 28.4): a) Not less than 18 push-in lampholders in series with 2 midget-screw lampholders. b) Not less than 18 midget-screw lampholders in series with 2 miniature-screw lampholders. FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION c) Not less than 35 lamps connected in series with a minimum of half of the lamps in the lighting string being steady-illuminating and one of the following: 1) All of the lamps in the string are not replaceable, or 2) All the lamps in the string are replaceable and the lighting string is constructed such that the individual-fl ashing lamps cannot fi t into the lampholder such that it makes an electrical connection with the lampholders intended for steady-illuminating lamps. In addition, the lamp adapters must be secured to the lamps by an adhesive that complies with the requirements outlined in Section 63, the Adhesive Test. Exception:When the construction of the lighting string is such that replacement of steady illuminating lamps with individual-fl ashing lamps is not possible, then no adhesive is required. 3) A minimum of half of the lighting string shall be steady-illuminating lamps and non- replaceable. The remaining lamps shall be permitted to be replaceable. These strings would be required to be provided with the marking described in 117.3.8. d) Not less than 70 lamps connected in series with a minimum of half of the lamps in the lighting string being steady-illuminating provided that the string additionally comply with the Cascading Lamp Temperature test described in Section 83A. 8. Requirements for lighting sculptures consisting of multiple sections RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 8 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 33.3 Lighting sculptures consisting of more than one section are allowed to be shipped unassembled when the lighting strings are affixed to the individual sections provided that suitable user assembly instructions are included in the instruction manual. 12. Increased current rating for motorized tree stands and lighting sculptures RATIONALE After the March 10, 2006 proposal was issued, Anthony Tassone of UL noted that the Topic 6 proposal to revise tree stand to product also applies to Topic 12 but had been inadvertently omitted. The UL 588 proposal has been revised to correct this oversight. PROPOSAL 113.3 A product other than a lighting string employing a polarized attachment plug shall not have a current rating that exceeds 3.5 A. Exception No. 1: A motorized tree stand product employing 16 AWG wire shall not have a current rating that exceeds 8 A. JULY 28, 2006SUBJECT 588-2- FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION Exception No. 2: A lighting sculpture that is constructed such that each string is not connected to the load fi tting of another string and is provided with a Seasonal Use Cord Set meeting the requirements described in Supplement SB of the Standard for Cord Sets and Power Supply Cords, UL 817, shall not have a current rating that exceeds 8 A. 14. Addition of requirements for lighting strings intended for use on a patio umbrella RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 14 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 28.6 Series-connected strings intended for use installation on the ribs or internal mechanism of a patio umbrella shall additionally comply with the cycling test described in Section 90A, when mounted as intended in accordance with the installation instructions. 90A Decorative Lighting String Intended for Use on a Patio Umbrella 90A.1 A series lighting string intended for installation on a patio umbrella shall be capable of withstanding a minimum of 90 cycles of fl exing when tested as described in 90A.2. At the conclusion of the test, the device shall comply with the Dielectric Voltage-Withstand Test, Section 45. Breakage of the copper or insulation of the conductor is not acceptable. 90A.2 A sample of the lighting string shall be mounted as intended on a patio umbrella provided using the fasteners provided with the product in accordance with the user assembly instructions provided. The umbrella shall be opened and closed for a total of 90 complete cycles to simulate the opening and closing of the umbrella during normal use. During the test, the decorative lighting string shall not be energized. After the test, the Dielectric-Voltage Withstand Test is to be conducted between live parts and dead metal parts. 17. Revision to allow a light string that operates without bulbs in the sockets RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 17 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 123.8 A midget push-in type series, series-parallel connected lighting string that employs a construction that allows the string to operate without the lamps in place shall not include the following statements or equivalent in the instruction manual or shown on any part(s) of the product and packaging: a) Picture or drawing depicting lamp(s) removed and the string in the lit condition; or b) Wording that implies the string can be still energized even with lamp(s) removed. Exception:A midget push-in type series, series-parallel connected lighting string that employs a voltage regulating shunt device in each socket that complies with Section 83C. JULY 28, 2006SUBJECT 588-3- FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION 83C.1 When tested in accordance with 83C.2, total current of the series connected lighting string shall be not be less more than the maximum current rating of the string. 83C.2 The string shall be connected to a 120 Vac, 60 Hz source of supply and operated as intended. The input current shall be recorded. The lamps in the string are to be removed one at a time up to a maximum of ten. The input current of the string shall be recorded after each lamp is removed. (NEW) 117.3.4.1 A midget push-in type series, series-parallel connected lighting string that employs a construction that allows the string to operate without the lamps in place shall be marked as follows: CAUTION DO NOT OPERATE WITH BULBS MISSING FROM SOCKETS. MISSING BULBS SHOULD BE REPLACED PROMPTLY. Exception:The marking may instead be located on a stuffer sheet or on the carton in which the lighting string is packaged. 18. Addition of alternate rain test for series connected lighting strings RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 18 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 27.1 A product, other than a series-connected lighting string, intended for outdoor use shall comply with the Rain Test, Section 85. A series-connected lighting string that employs push-in lampholders shall comply with the Rain Test described in Section 85A. 85A.3 The mandrel shall be made of 0.1 ±0.01 inch (2.35 2.54 ±0.2 mm) thick copper , with an overall length of 36 ±3 inches (915 ±76 mm), and a diameter of 1 ±0.1 inch OD (25.4 ±3 mm). The maximum resistance of the mandrel shall not exceed 0.001 ohms. The mandrel shall be free of oxidation or discoloration. 19. Clarifi cation of lamp replacement instructions RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 19 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 588 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 117.3.4 A seasonal product which employs push-in or midget or miniature screw base lamps employing lamp shunts shall be marked with instructions for the proper method of replacing a burned-out lamp as follows: CAUTION To reduce the risk of overheating, replace burned-out lamps promptly. Use _ volt, _ watt lamps only. The blanks shall be fi lled in with the voltage value and wattage of the replacement lamps. JULY 28, 2006SUBJECT 588-4- -,-,- FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION Exception:For an ornament, it is acceptable to locate the marking may instead be located in the instruction manual, on a stuffer sheet, or on the carton in which the ornament is packaged. (DELETED) SA11.4 Miniature push-in lamps shall be legibly and durably marked on the lamp envelope or lamp base with voltage and wattage rating. 20. Miscellaneous corrections and clarifi cations RATIONALE Based on the comments received on Topic 20 of the March 10, 2006 proposal, the UL 2388 proposal has been revised. Responses to the comments have been posted within the Proposal Review Work Area. PROPOSAL 83.2 The test is to be conducted on a previously untested product in the following order: a) The normal current of the series-connected lamps, with no fl ashing lamps, is to be determined at 120 V ac. b) During the determination in (a), the hottest running lamps are to be determined by probing with a thermocouple with any decorative parts in place, if provided. c) The three hottest lamps are to be selected. d) With any separable decorative parts removed, a single lampholder is to be connected in series with the overcurrent protective devices provided with the product as indicated in Figure 83.1. e) One of the lamps selected in (c) is to be inserted into the lampholder. f) The lampholder and lamp combination is to be positioned horizontally on a supporting surface covered with cotton and then rotated such that the point at which the fi lament is closest to the bulb envelope is uppermost. g) A second unenergized lampholder without a lamp is to be rested on the lamp described in (f) so that the outer surface of the unenergized lampholder body adjacent to its internal electrical contact area is touching the lamp envelope as close as possible to the lamp fi lament. A single layer of cheesecloth is to be draped loosely over the entire assembly. If nonremovable decorative parts are present, the lamp assemblies are to be positioned for maximum transfer of heat between the energized fi lament and the nonenergized lampholder electrical contact area. Relative position of the lampholders is to be maintained throughout (h) (j). h) With the rheostat at its maximum resistance setting, the circuit is to be energized. The current is to be increased to the value determined in (a), and maintained for 5 minutes ±20 seconds. The current is then to be increased to 1.25 times the current determined in (a) and maintained for 3 4 minutes. JULY 28, 2006SUBJECT 588-5- -,-,- FOR INTERNAL UL OR CSDS USE ONLY NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION i) The current is then to be increased in steps equal to 5 percent of the previous value and the current maintained at each increased value for 3 4 minutes. This process is to be continued until either the lamp fi lament or overcurrent protective device clears the circuit. If during any step there is a discernible physical change in any polymeric material, operation is to be continued at that current for an additional 1 2 minutes before continuing to the next step. j) Following (i), if the lamp fi lament opens and the lamp shunt and overcurrent protective devices are still operational, the current is to be increased in successive steps equal to 10 percent of the overcurrent protective device rating, and the current maintained at each increased value for 3 4 minutes. If after any increase there is any discernible physical change in any polymeric material, operation is to be continued at that current for an additional 5 6 minutes before continuing to the next step. In order to save time, it is acceptable to omit the lower-current steps, which begin after the fi lament opens, may be omitted as long as three consecutive steps are passed through just prior to the clearing of the circuit by the lamp shunt or overcurrent protective device. k) Following step (j), the assembly is to be allowed to cool for at least 1 minute. Parts are then to be separated for examination. Exception No. 1: If a decorative outfi t employs a lampholder which is fi xed in place, such as a candle set, it shall instead comply with 83.3. Exception No. 2: A lighting string employing electronic circuits need not comply with the Cascade Lamp Burnout Test, Section 83, if it is determined that the electronic circuit operates before the internal shunt. 121.2.1 The following instructions shall be provided with a decorative-lighting string, decorative outfi t, or ornament: IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS When using electrical products, basic precautions should always be followed including the following: a) READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. b) Do not use seasonal products outdoors unless marked suitable for indoor and outdoor use. When products are used in outdoor applications, connect the product to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting (GFCI) outlet. If one is not provided, contact a qualifi ed electrician for proper installation. Exception:An ornament shall