Printed circuit boards are integral components of any electronic device. Therefore, any defect in the assembly process or design can result in product failure. Also, product failure is a huge risk in any electronics manufacturing. Electrical engineers are usually faced with challenges during electronics manufacturing. They are under pressure to build flexible and smaller PCBs to meet the ever increasing demands for modern devices.
This pressure can result in errors during design. Regardless of the go-to-market deadlines and pressure, it is crucial to fabricate a functional board. A circuit board must be functional and safe to use. Therefore, PCB manufacturers must comply with regulatory safety requirements. Also, they must test their products to a high degree of reliability and performance standards.
What is UL Certification for Electronics?
UL is an acronym that stands for Underwriters Laboratories. The core service of this certification is to create safety standards for the electronics industry. These standards are ideal for all types of electronic products such as industrial control equipment and PCBs. The UL identification indicates market acceptance. Therefore, this means that a product has undergone rigorous safety tests.
The UL aims to promote safe working and living environments for humans. Also, UL can achieve this by applying hazard-based safety engineering. The UL mark supports the manufacturing and use of products that are environmentally and physically safe. Also, UL certifies, validates, and tests materials used for electronics production.
The concern for end product safety is what drives the UL recognition of components. The UL marking is usually required when safety becomes a critical issue. This marking is a widely accepted proof that indicates the safety of a product. Also, the UL marking meets the Canadian and American safety standards.
UL is a third-party certification company established in Chicago in the year 1894. This certification company verifies the safety of a product to make the world a safer place. Also, UL creates industry standards when innovating new products. This safety organization checks these products regularly to help ensure they still meet up with the UL standards.
UL certification reveals the quality and safety of a PCB product. Also, UL recognized boards are globally accepted. With UL 94, board manufacturers can assure customers that their products meet specific requirements. Manufacturers fabricate rigid flex PCBs to meet UL standards.
What is UL Marking on PCB?
In addition, this marking is a symbol of product safety for consumers. Therefore, all PCBs must have the UL marking. This marking can be a great marketing tool for businesses. Also, this is a major reason why most manufacturers strive to get the UL marking on their products. However, a product doesn’t just get the UL marking except it passes some safety tests.
A UL marking on a PCB indicates that a circuit board meets all safety and flammability requirements. Also, a UL mark indicates that your circuit board meets the UL requirements. The UL 94 is an important standard for assessing the quality of a board. Therefore, UL 94 covers all flammability requirements for PCBs.
The PCB material must meet the specified flammability level of UL 94. Also, UL 94 V0 is a PCB certification for FR4 materials. This indicates that a PCB material will self-extinguish within 10 seconds. FR4 PCB are UL certified PCBs. All PCBs with UL 94 certification must undergo flammability testing. Also, flammability testing helps to ensure fire protection and electrical safety.
As long as fire protection and electrical safety are crucial, the UL 94 certification is necessary. Also, a board with UL certification is safe for use in electronic devices. Flexible dielectric film materials also require UL certification.
What is UL Classification?
There are two main classes of UL certification in electronic products. These are the UL recognized component mark and the UL listed label.
What does UL recognized mean?
UL recognized doesn’t apply a seal of approval to end products. Also, the UL recognition service focuses on parts and machinery that manufacture the products. This means that it certifies a component in a larger mechanism. Most times, factories get UL recognition. UL recognition checks the efficiency and safety of machinery used during production. Also, it encourages companies to go for more sustainable practices.
The UL standards ensure that all pieces of equipment are properly housed. However, this may require installation precautions. It is much easier to get UL recognized stamps than UL listed. This is because it is easy for manufacturers to select which components are certified within a bigger system.
What is a UL Listing Mark?
UL Listed is usually featured on a wide swath of consumer electronics today. The type of product UL Listed certifies differentiates it from UL recognized. While UL recognized is for components, UL listed is meant for stand-alone products. Although, they both ensure safety, they are widely used in different capacities and different products.
UL listed is more recognizable than UL recognized. This is because it ascertains the safety of consumer products. UL listed certification requires more testing. Also, the UL listed seal indicates that the UL has tested a product to recognized safety standards. Furthermore, UL listed products are free from a foreseeable risk of electric shock and fire in a Division 2 environment.
Therefore, the UL listed marking ascertains the longevity and safety of several household electronics subjected to rigorous use everyday. The UL listed approval benefits both the manufacturer and consumer.
Why is the UL Marking Important in PCBs?
The UL recognition and certification is a strong marketing tool for business. Also, UL ensures manufacturers test their products by following established procedures to reduce safety problems. Products certified by UL always undergo stricter performance tests. PCB materials and components recognized by UL must have undergone the most stringent safety testing. There are many reasons why the UL marking is important in the PCB manufacturing process.
Great reputation
UL has built a great reputation. This certification company instills a sense of trust in consumers. Also, UL certification has a long standing reputation in the PCB industry.
Safety and quality
This certification company ensures products meet the highest safety requirements. Being UL certified indicates a manufacturer’s dedication to the safety of consumers. Asides assuring safety, this certification also assesses the quality of a PCB. Also, the UL safety standards improve the quality of PCBs. UL certified PCBs are safe and reliable.
Customer Security
Consumers are always assured of a product’s safety when it has the UL stamp of approval. For instance, the UL certification may be a factor to consider when purchasing a circuit breaker. UL focuses majorly on guaranteeing the safety of a product. A consumer will prefer to opt for a product that has the UL logo.
Improved functionality
UL certification enables a PCB company to innovate its standards for safety. Also, it enables PCB manufacturers to integrate the best practices in the industry. Therefore, this results in improvement in the functionality and performance of PCBs. UL marking helps PCB manufacturer to offer PCB assembly services across the world.
Classifications of UL94
The UL94 is a standard for the flammability safety of parts used in devices. The underwriters laboratory of the US established this plastics flammability standard. This standard determines the tendency of a material to spread flame or extinguish once you ignite it. Below are the classifications of UL94
V- 0
In this classification, the burning stops within 10 seconds on a specimen. This classification allows drips of particles if they aren’t inflamed.
V-1
Here, burning halts just within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen. It allows drips of particles if they aren’t inflamed.
V-2
In this UL 94 classification, burning halts within 30 seconds when it is on a vertical specimen. Also, it allows drip of flaming particles.
5VA
Here, burning halts within 1 minute on a vertical specimen. 5VA doesn’t allow drips of particles. Also, plaque specimens may not have a hole.
5VB
Also, burning stops within 1 minute on a vertical specimen. No drips are also allowed.
HB
Also known as horizontal burning, it is the least flame retardant. There is slow burning on a horizontal specimen.
What to Consider When Specifying a PCB that Needs UL Recognition
It is crucial to specify the right PCB when requesting UL recognition. The intended application of the PCB will determine the parameters needed for your circuit board. A PCB may require a flame rating only. Sometimes, a PCB may need MOT, a minimum CTI value and flame rating. Below are UI parameters to consider:
Specific flame rating
The end-product requirements help to specify the least acceptable flame class. Also, classification represents burn time and small sample evaluation. V-0, V-1, and HB are examples of flame classes.
Maximum operating temperature (MOT)
This represents the maximum continuous use temperature of a circuit board. Also, the requirements of the end-product help to specify maximum temperature.
Minimum CTI rating
Comparative tracking index (CTI) is usually evaluated on laminate materials. Also, these values are a performance level category.
Direct support (DSR) compliance
DSR refers to the performance characteristics for recognized PCB materials in contact with current carrying parts at 120V or lower. The available PCB materials determine the PCB DSR compliance. You can manufacture a PCB type using DSR compliant materials. In such a case, there will be a DSR triangle on the listing card.
Multiple soldering processes
Most manufacturers use SMT. Manufacturers subject some boards to multiple reflow cycles. Multiple solder limits represent the temperature profile while soldering. Specify a PCB with multiple solder limits.
Conclusion
UL marking indicates the performance and safety of a machinery or end product. This marking is an easy way to make your products and business highly rated. Flammability and electrical safety are crucial UL parameters. These UL parameters are critical issues in PCB manufacturing. Printed circuit boards that meet UL requirements are safe for use.
