What is UL 646 ?

UL 646 is an essential standard for ensuring electrical safety in various industrial, commercial, and residential applications. It applies to all types of insulated wire and cable, including copper and aluminum conductors, and covers both new and existing installations.

The scope of UL 646 is extensive and includes requirements for various aspects of the product, such as the materials used, the construction of the cable, the maximum allowable voltage levels, and the test procedures used to verify the safety and performance of the product.

UL 646 Establishing Minimum Performance and Safety Requirements

UL 646 is a technical standard that establishes minimum performance and safety requirements for insulated wire and cable. The standard defines the criteria that manufacturers must meet to ensure that their products are safe, reliable, and meet industry standards.

The standard outlines several key requirements, including:

Electrical Safety: The standard requires that all insulated wire and cable be free from electrical hazards, such as voltage, currents, and arcs.

Fire-Resistance: The standard requires that insulated wire and cable be fire-resistant and not have any（self-ignition） characteristics.

Electrical Conductivity: The standard requires that insulated wire and cable have a minimum electrical conductivity of 100 milliamps per foot (mA/ft) at 250 volts (V).

Voltage-Safe Operating Points: The standard requires that insulated wire and cable have a voltage-safe operating point (VSO) of at least 600 V.

Impedance: The standard requires that insulated wire and cable have a maximum impedance of 0.02 ohms per foot (Ω/ft) at 250 V.

Compliance with UL 646 is mandatory for manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe and meet industry standards. The standard is widely recognized in the electrical industry and is used as a benchmark for evaluating the safety and integrity of insulated wire and cable.

Conclusion

UL 646 is an essential standard for ensuring electrical safety in various industrial, commercial, and residential applications. It establishes minimum performance and safety requirements for insulated wire and cable and ensures that these products are safe, reliable, and meet industry standards. Compliance with UL 646 is mandatory for manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe and meet industry standards.