Ul Certification Is Vital For Pcb And Electronics Design: Know-how

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Your knowledge about UL Certification as an Electronics Designer


In the back of an engineer’s mind, Safety is always a concern. You still wonder how handlings in its physical form, under a variety of environmental conditions and temperatures, your PCB will perform Even with all the simulations in the world. With thorough testing, this can only be verified. You’ll need to be certified with the utmost safety standards if you’re planning to design Canada UL PCB for information appliance, audio, technology, medical, or video applications. This indicates dealing with the UL certification details. This article reflects every detail about the UL certification.


UL


In 1894, an American electrical engineer William Henry Merrill founded The Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Testing products, certifying documents, and manufacturers' safety standards, UL is an independent, international organization for a diverse range of applications and industries.


In the electronics manufacturing industry, a well-known symbol of product safety is The UL Mark that Underwriters Laboratory. ...
... Focusing on electrical safety and fire protection as well as covering risk assessment for electronic products, UL offers a rigorous set of standards. UL has evolved with electrical and electronics technology since it’s founded in 1894. They offer safety certifications for:


• In 1937, the first automatic washing machine had several safety hazards like water spilling into the motor.


• In 1909, the first vehicle washer with electric lights, an electrical signal system, a vacuum cleaner, and a light shield for moving pictures.


• The first solar collector, microwave oven, video game arcade machine, and personal computer between 1980 and 1975.


• In 1939, the first black and white television.


On advancing safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries, UL is working through advanced testing, thermal analysis, and computational modeling approaches today. To accelerate safety requirements for electric vehicle batteries, they’re also one of the leading certification groups.


With the electronics design industry, UL has a very intimate relationship these days. There’s a very high chance that you’ll design a product that requires the UL Mark of approval somewhere along your career journey.


Significance of UL


PCBs to be built with UL safety standards in mind are needed by many end-product standards. Below are certain product categories which are a few applications sample covered by UL standards:


• IEC 60065: Video and Audio Equipment.

• IEC 60960: Equipment of Information Technology.

• IEC 60601: Medical Equipment.

• IEC 61010: Laboratory Use Equipment.

• UL 508: Equipment of Industrial Control.


With a UL mark following three standards, UL 796, UL 746, and UL 9, 4, all of the applications above must be certified. Into specific sub-categories, these are broken down which includes:


• UL 94: For PCBs and plastics, this covers all flammability requirements.

• PCB Standard UL 796F: To cover flexible material electronics including rigid-flex and flex PCBs, this standard evolved.

• PCB Standard UL 796: For high-density, metal-based, and standard rigid interconnect PCBs, This covers printed wiring boards (PWBs) guidelines.

• PCB Standard UL 746F: Used in the PCB manufacturing process, this covers all flexible dielectric film materials.

• PCB Standard UL 746E: Used in the PCB manufacturing process, this covers all industrial materials and laminates.


Other benefits to the industry and end-users are offered by UL certification as a whole apart from verifying the safety of your electronic device. These benefits include:


• Trust: Meeting rigorous safety standards set, consumers and End users are provided a product.

• Standardization: to help standardize the assembly and fabrication process, PCB manufacturers can work from a common set of guidelines.

• Reach: to extend the reach of your product to new markets, UL-certified PCBs can help and are recognized globally.


Canada UL PCB Certifications Types


Under a PCB Recognition Program, UL certifies Canada UL PCB. This program is of two types i.e. Flame-Only and Full Recognition. To meet the following requirements, these break down:


Solder Limits


The kind of soldering processes that a PCB will be subjected to is tested by Solder limits during the process of component assembly. To gauge how your PCB performs, these tests simulate a maximum temperature and thermal shock.


Flame Ratings


By end-product requirements, Flame ratings are specified typically. When a PCB is subjected to a vertical and horizontal flame, they evaluate a sample burn time. Into classes including VTM-2, VTM-1, VTM-0, V2, V-1, and V-0, these flames are broken down.


Maximum Temperature of Operation


Maximum continuous use of A PCBs at a specific temperature is defined by Maximum Operating Temperature (MOT). The exposure of a PCB to normal operating condition temperatures is stimulated by this test during a 10-56 day period. On the guidelines of your manufacturer, the temperatures are based.


Direct Support Request


The performance of a PCB laminate is measured by Direct Support Request (DSR) when in contact with 120V or less. Rather than the whole PCB, this test is only performed on laminates and a DSR compliant rating is received by each laminate. A laminate will undergo several performance tests during this testing. The tests include:


• Heat deflection.

• High current arc ignition.

• Dielectric strength.

• Resistivity to Volume.

• Ignition of Hotwire.


Meaning of the UL Mark on a Canada UL PCB


It signifies that all established flammability and safety requirements are met by your board when your PCB receives a UL Mark from your manufacturer. Specifically, the significance of a UL Mark includes:


A specified flammability level per UL94 is met by the base material used in your PCB. For example, when FR4 self-extinguishes within 10 seconds and does not drip any flaming particles when subjected to an open flame and removed. This testing scenario will be applied to every base material offered by a manufacturer.


To resist ignition from external electrical sources, the base material used in your PCB meets the required ability level.


The required electrical breakdown value must be satisfied by the base material used in your PCB. This is the difference in voltage where the base material’s insulation properties may cause safety issues and start to break down.


As specified in UL 796A, the performance levels of the base material in your Canada UL PCB meets for direct support of current-carrying capacities.

High Quality PCB Co., Limited is a leading PCB(Printed Circuit Board) Manufacturer in China since 1995. Dedicated to the technologies innovation, being engaged in IC Substrates, High-Density Interconnect PCB, Multi-layer PCB, Rigid Flexible PCB, Flexible, Radiofrequency PCB.