Are LED strip lights required to have a UL listing?

If you have experience with electronics and lighting, you have likely encountered the well-known UL marking. As a low voltage product, you may question whether 12V and 24V LED strips are exempt from UL listing requirements. Continue reading to discover!

What does UL listing signify?

UL, previously referred to as Underwriters Laboratory, is an organisation that formulates product safety standards and conducts testing to ascertain compliance with these standards. While UL formulates numerous standards, other Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratories (NRTL) are also capable of conducting evaluations in accordance with the same UL standards. Due to the lower costs and expedited processing times provided by these alternative NRTLs, numerous manufacturers frequently opt for this option. Other testing agencies and certifications, such as ETL and TUV, may be encountered.
Upon submission of a product for testing by a manufacturer, the product is evaluated against the applicable UL standard corresponding to its category. 12V and 24V LED strips are classified under the standard UL2108, pertaining to Low Voltage Lighting Systems. Upon successful completion of the test, the product is deemed "listed" and will bear the appropriate marking for identification. The UL or ETL logo, along with the associated file number, is usually printed directly on the surface of the LED strip substrate.
 

Who asserts that LED strips necessitate UL listing?

In the United States, prior to the commencement of a construction project involving new edifices or renovations, a series of permit and inspection procedures must be undertaken. The particulars and authorities The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may vary by region and locale, but most will refer to the National Electric Code (NEC), which establishes minimum standards for safeguarding individuals and property from harm and damage associated with electrical usage.
Article 411 of the NEC delineates the specifications for lighting systems functioning at or below 30 volts, connected to a Class 2 power source (less than 100W).
Article 411 stipulates that lighting systems functioning at 30 volts or below must adhere to 411.3(A) or 411.3(B).
(A) Enumerated System. Lighting systems functioning at 30 volts or lower must be classified as a complete system. The luminaires, power supply, and luminaire fittings, including the exposed bare conductors, of an exposed bare conductor lighting system must be certified for use as components of the same designated lighting system.
Assembly of Designated Components. A lighting system constructed from the specified components shall be authorised:
Low-voltage lighting fixtures
Low-voltage luminaire power supply
Class 2 power supply
Low-voltage luminaire fixtures
Secondary circuit cord designated for use with the specified luminaires and power supply.
Cable, conductors within conduit, or alternative fixed wiring methods for the secondary circuit
The luminaires, power supply, and luminaire fittings, including the exposed bare conductors, of an exposed bare conductor lighting system must be certified for use as components of the same designated lighting system.
LED strip lights must be certified (UL/ETL or equivalent) as part of a listed lighting system (e.g., LED strip lighting kit) or individually listed as components of an assembled system.
 

Are LED strips exempt from UL requirements under the NEC due to their classification as Class 2?

Class 2 refers to circuits that are inherently restricted to a maximum voltage of 60V DC and a power limit of 100W. Consequently, the risk of electrical shock and fire is markedly reduced for Class 2 circuits in comparison to those connected directly to standard 120V/240V AC mains power supply. The required safety precautions are correspondingly less stringent, as outlined in NEC Article 725, which specifies the permissible types of wires and connection methods.
There is a conspicuous lack of any designation exempting components in a Class 2 circuit from the necessity of listing. UL508A is frequently misrepresented as applicable to lighting circuits; however, this standard exclusively pertains to industrial control panels.
Compliance with NEC requirements indicates that LED strips are subject to UL listing mandates, with UL2108 (IFDR) being the applicable standard for assessing LED strip products.
The constraints of NEC requirements and scenarios in which UL listing is unnecessary for LED strips
It is crucial to recognise that the NEC regulations and requirements are not legally enforced, thus rendering the installation of non-listed LED strips legal. Construction and renovation permits are approved, and installations are inspected by the relevant authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The interpretation and enforcement of the NEC fundamentally depend on the AHJ.

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