UL 1449 3rd Edition changes from 2nd Edition

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a well know global independent safety science company that has performed safety testing on products for more than 100 years. UL is not a governmental agency, but rather it is a standards making body and test laboratory that lists products as having passed batteries of tests according to industry developed and accepted standards for product safety. With the ever increasing need for global harmonization of standards, UL has begun to include product performance tests in its standards bringing it closer to well known international standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The safety standard for surge protective devices (SPDs), also called transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSS) is UL 1449, and the standard has undergone some major revisions during the past several years. In February of 2005, UL 1449 2nd Edition underwent a major revision requiring additional safety testing at medium-fault current levels for TVSS and some product performance testing. Compliance to this update became mandatory on February 9, 2007. UL 1449 3rd Edition was published in September 2006 with compliance required by September 2009. There have been a few minor revisions to clarify some test procedures and markings. Some major differences are: Change in terminology from Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS) to Surge Protective Devices (SPD) Addition of products known as Secondary Surge Arresters. Increase of voltage range now up to 1000Vac, (formerly 600Vac) UL 1449 3rd Edition is now an American National Standard (ANSI) Addition of Nominal Discharge Current (In) to ratings and markings Duty cycle test at nominal discharge current Measured limiting voltage now performed at 6 kV/3 kA (formerly 6kV/500A)

The title of the old UL 1449 2nd Edition is, UL Standard for Safety for Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors, UL 1449. With the third edition, this title has changed. The new title of UL 1449 is, UL Standard for Safety for Surge Protective Devices, UL 1449. Surge Protective Devices provides an overall description and covers additional products besides those that have been traditionally knows as TVSS. The term SPD now also covers what was formerly known as Secondary Surge Arrestors. UL 1449 3rd Edition now applies to devices used to repeatedly limit transient voltages on 50 or 60 Hz circuits 1000 volts and below. This is an increase in voltage from 2nd Edition, which covered devices 600 volts and below. UL 1449 3rd Edition gives five designations to surge protective devices depending on where in the electrical system the device is connected. Type 1 permanently connected device installed before or after the service disconnect overcurrent device and intended to be installed with no external overcurrent protective device. This type of SPD most closely relates to devices that were called secondary surge arrestors prior to 3rd Edition. Type 2 permanently connected device installed after the service disconnect overcurrent device. This type of SPD most closely relates to devices that were called transient voltage surge suppressors prior to 3rd Edition. Type 3 Point of use SPDs that are installed with a minimum of 30 feet of conductor length from the service panel. These 30 feet of conductor length does not include conductors used to attach the SPD. Some examples of Type 3 SPDs are cord connected, direct plug-in and receptacle type SPDs.
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Terminology Change

Type 4 Component SPDs and component assemblies. These are typically DIN rail or terminal block SPDs. Type 5 Discrete Components, such as Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV), components designed to be used in either Types 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 products. These types can be confusing as they relate to both products AND their intended location of use. Here is a simple table to help clarify: Type Location Permanently connected SPDs intended for installation between the secondary of the service transformer and the line side of the service equipment overcurrent device, as well as the load side, including watt-hour meter socket enclosures and intended to be installed without an external overcurrent protective device Permanently connected SPDs intended for installation on the load side of the service equipment overcurrent device; including SPDs located at the branch panel. Point of utilization SPDs, installed at a minimum conductor length of 10 meters (30 feet) from the electrical service panel to the point of utilization, for example cord connected, direct plug-in, receptacle type and SPDs installed at the utilization equipment being protected. See marking in 64.2. The distance (10 meters) is exclusive of conductors provided with or used to attach SPDs. There is no location Type 4. Product Products designed for use in either a Type 1 or 2 locations, for use on the line side of the service entrance. Formerly known as Secondary Surge Arresters (UL category OWHX).

Products designed for use in Type 2 or 3 locations. Formerly known as TVSS. A majority of panel mount products fall under this type. Products designed for Type 3 installations. These products often are associated with power strips or UPSs. Also included are direct plug in the wall type products. These typically are associated with or designed as lighter duty products.

There is no location Type 5. 5

Component Assemblies Component assembly consisting of one or more Type 5 components together with a disconnect (integral or external) or a means of complying with the limited current tests in 39.4. This is category (type) most of the DEHN products reside. Discrete component surge suppressors, such as MOVs that may be mounted on a PWB, connected by its leads or provided within an enclosure with mounting means and wiring terminations.

As an example, a DEHNguard, DG S 150 is UL approved (recognized) as a Type 4 device for Type 2 locations.

UL 1449 3rd Edition is now an ANSI Standard

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) oversees the development and use of standards by accrediting the procedures of standards developing organizations. ANSI accreditation signifies that the procedures used by standards developing organizations meet the Institute's requirements for openness, balance, consensus, and due process. Many UL standards are accredited by ANSI.

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ANSI also designates specific standards as American National Standards, or ANS, when the Institute determines that the standards were developed in an environment that is equitable, accessible and responsive to the requirements of various stakeholders including international stakeholders. The significance of this designation as an ANSI standard is that UL 1449 3rd Edition was reviewed, voted on and approved by a balanced group of technical advisors, including individuals from manufacturers, end-users and other interested parties. Any changes, additions or new standards must be voted on by this panel. In the past, UL 1449 was not an ANSI standard due to its inherent missing international harmonization requirements and was not subject to voting upon by the technical advisory group.

Nominal Discharge Current

The addition of the nominal discharge current (In) and the subsequent duty cycle test is a new addition to the third edition of UL 1449. The nominal discharge current value is selected (declared) by the manufacturer and can be either 10 kA or 20 kA for a Type 1 SPD or 3 kA, 5 kA, 10 kA or 20 kA for Type 2 SPDs. The SPD is tested by being subjected to a total of 15 impulses of the manufacturer declared nominal discharge current. In order to pass this test, the SPD cannot create a shock or fire hazard during the test and nothing in the surge path can open at any time during or after the test. This includes all internal or external supplementary protective devices (disconnectors) or overcurrent devices such as fuses or circuit breakers. The nominal discharge current test is significant in that the test includes any internal or external overcurrent devices in the test. Many manufacturers specify and use external overcurrent devices to help protect the surge protector during a sustained overvoltage event or to obtain the Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR) of the device. To pass this new test, the external or internal overcurrent device (if used) must be in the surge path and is subjected to the same 15 impulses at the manufacturer declared nominal discharge current. The nominal discharge current (In) level is marked on the label of most SPDs. The measured limiting voltage test in UL 1449 3rd Edition uses a 6 kV/3 kA combination wave surge to determine the Voltage Protection Rating (VPR) of the SPD. This test is similar to the Suppressed Voltage Rating (SVR) as required in UL 1449 2nd Edition. The key difference between the tests in 2nd Edition and 3rd Edition is that the magnitude of the current used for the test is six times greater in 3rd Edition versus 2nd Edition. This much higher current level results in higher measured limiting voltage ratings than the older SVR value. For example, the VPR for an SPD will likely be much higher than the SVR of an identical SPD. With higher current levels come higher limiting voltages. It is important that users are familiar with the difference in testing methods and the subsequent effect on the value of the VPR. Without considering or understanding the differences in the level of currents used in the test, one might assume that a UL 1449 3rd Edition device with a VPR of 700 volts has a higher limiting voltage than a UL 1449 2nd Edition device with an SVR of 400 volts. Such a conclusion would be inaccurate. The higher VPR rating of 700 volts is likely caused by the higher level of surge current during the measured limiting voltage test. In order to make an accurate assessment of devices, the VPR rating of one device must be compared with the VPR rating of another device. Comparing a VPR rating to an SVR rating yields no useful or conclusive information. This test is run by UL and the values are assigned by UL according to the table 63.1, these values are not declared by the manufacturer and verified by UL.

Measured Limiting Voltage Test

Summary
The new third edition of UL 1449 brings more safety evaluation and now adds more performance testing of special note is the manufacturers declaration and ULs verification of the nominal discharge current (In). The addition of the manufacturers declaration and verification process is more in line with international standards from the IEC.
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References: ANSI/UL 1449-2006 - Safety Standard for Surge Protective Devices UL 1449 Safety Standard for Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors ANSI American National Standards The Value of the ANS Designation 2012DEHN,Inc.(sub.ofDEHN&SHNE,GmbH)851S.KingsHighway,FortPierce,FL349457724608817www.dehn-usa.com Page 3 of 3