Click here to view a web presentation on using the UL White Book in necplus.
necplus is a powerful tool and one of its most useful features is the inclusion of UL product category information for most Code sections. Not only are the UL product categories included in necplus, but the 2010 UL White Book categories are directly correlated to the 2008 NEC and located in the applicable Code sections. Whenever the “See Related” notation appears with the red “UL” link, clicking on that link will make a popup window appear identifying the UL product categories that apply to that Code section. necplus not only explains the Code requirements, but also shows the appropriate UL listed product requirements to comply with the Code requirement.
While the NEC requires the use of approved products and in some cases requires that products be listed, many authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) require all inspected products to be listed as part of their approval decision. Having a listed product isn’t always enough, however. The product must be listed for the intended use, and the only way to really determine the intended use is by reviewing the UL Guide Information of the product in question. UL Guide Information for most electrical products covered in the NEC is compiled and published in the UL White Book.
What is the UL White Book?
Many consider the UL White Book to be “Part 2 of the Code” because the UL White Book tells the “rest of the story.” It’s difficult to verify code compliance without reference to the White Book. The Guide Information for each product category in the White Book provides detailed information about the following:
· Scope of the certification
· Intended use
· Installation markings
· Requirements used for certification
· Location of related information
· Identification of products certified under the product category by detailing what will appear on the UL listing mark
The UL White Book is a technical reference book covering UL Guide Information for more than 1100 product categories of UL certified products that are commonly specified, installed, and inspected in the electrical trade. In addition to UL Guide Information, the White Book includes indices of product categories correlated to the NEC and eight UL marking and application guides for all types of electrical equipment ranging from alternative energy equipment to circuit breakers to wire and cable.
How does necplus link the White Book and the NEC?
Section 110.3(B), requires that listed products be installed in accordance with their installation instructions. Those instructions do not just include the manufacturer’s instructions that are supplied with the product, but also include the markings on the product and the UL Guide Information for the listed product from the UL White Book. With necplus, you only need to click on the Code section, then click on the red “UL” in the “See Related” notation to display the UL product categories and their respective 4-character category code applicable to the Code section. Then, by clicking on a specific product category title, the UL Guide Information for the product category will appear. In order to source a company that has listings under a particular product category, the category code only needs to be entered in the category code search field at UL’s Online Certification Directory at www.ul.com/database .
For example, perhaps you are considering using a power distribution block in a metal wireway on the line side of a service to supply a fire pump and a lightning arrester. Checking Article 376, Wireways, to see if that is permissible brings you to 376.56, Splices, Taps and Distribution Blocks. Section 376.56(B)(1) addresses installation of power distribution blocks and requires them to be listed. There is a red UL link in the “See Related” notation at this section. When this is clicked, necplus displays the Guide Information for Power Distribution Blocks (QPQS) in the lower window. A closer look at the Guide Information for (QPQS) reveals that “This category covers power distribution blocks rated 600 V or less and intended to be used on the load side of service equipment.” The Guide Information indicates that power distribution blocks are listed for use on the load side of the service and would not be suitable for the line side application. Line side use would be a violation of 110.3(B). The (QPQS) Guide Information further offers guidance on what size enclosure a power distribution block can be installed in, stating that “Power distribution blocks are marked to indicate that they are for use in specific enclosures (identified by either catalog number or specific dimensional information).”
If UL Guide Information had not been referenced, the final product could have been an installation that did not comply with the NEC and a red-tagged installation that would cost extra time and money. That is why the UL White Book is considered “Part 2 of the Code.”It does tell the rest of the story. Check out the feature on necplus that links the Code with the UL White Book to see this useful feature for yourself.
For a free pdf download of the UL White Book, click here.
Thomas Lichtenstein is a Senior Staff Engineer in UL’s Regulatory Services Department. Tom serves on NEC CMP-19 and as an alternate on CMP-1. Tom served as UL’s representative on the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), Part 1, for several cycles. Tom supports the Western Section of the IAEI for UL and coordinates the development of UL’s White Book and White Book CD.