Exploring Standards for Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables With International Partners

Dave Mercier, principal engineer at Underwriters Laboratories, presents on the test requirements in UL 83. On screen, two cross sections of electric wiring can be seen, demonstrating the difference between PVC and non-PVC wire insulation

Underwriters Laboratories and el Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN), the national standards body of Ecuador, held a joint webinar on Feb. 17 to explore collaboration and harmonization opportunities for UL 83, the Standard for Thermoplastic-Insulated Wires and Cables.

John Wade, program manager at Underwriters Laboratories and chair of the standards technical panel (STP) for UL 83, led a presentation on the Standard and emphasized several key concepts, including the history, development and scope of the Standard. He also noted that UL 83 is already harmonized in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Dave Mercier, principal engineer at Underwriters Laboratories, also presented on the test requirements in UL 83. He noted that UL 83 references UL 2556, the Standard for Wire and Cable Test Methods in its requirements for conductor tests, insulation tests, flame tests, smoke tests and optional performance tests.

A Q&A session followed the presentations, allowing attendees from INEN to ask Wade and Mercier questions regarding UL 83 and the potential to adapt the Standard to address specific needs in the region. Attendees were also invited to apply for STP membership to provide input on future UL 83 developments.

Underwriters Laboratories and INEN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2017. In doing so, both organizations agreed to promote reciprocal communication, avoid duplication of work efforts where possible, support harmonization efforts where there is interest and increase knowledge of each other’s standards development activities – allowing for the adoption, reference, translation and use of UL standards as deemed appropriate by INEN.

Future webinars are currently in development for additional standards that INEN has expressed interest in, including UL 62, the Standard for Flexible Cords and Cables, UL 66 the Standard for Fixture Wire and UL 1581, the Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords.