Page Content:

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.

Item-Type: A Closer Look

Code/Year: NEC 2008

Teaser: 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.

Featured Start: 6/30/2010

Featured End: 8/3/2010

Subscriber Only: 10/31/2010

Search Topic: UL White Book, UL Product category, online certification directory, guide information

Page Content: The 2011 NEC marks an important milestone—100 years of NFPA sponsorship. Throughout its 114-year history, the Code has continued to keep abreast of the state-of-the-art in technology. Major changes to the 2011 NEC focus on the major issue of the day, which is alternative energy. These changes recognize the demand for alternate energy by providing installation requirements that facilitate safe installations.

Covering solar, fuel cell, and green technology is not new for the NEC, but these latest changes in the 2011 edition keep the Code updated to reflect field experience and current technology.

The 2011 Code has revised Article 625 to include plug-in-hybrid vehicle charging systems as equipment that must meet the electrical protection and ventilation requirements of Article 625. In the future, plug-in hybrid vehicles may not only serve as a source of transportation, they may also be able to serve as a power source.

Article 705 is a key article in alternative energy system requirements for systems that interface with a utility source. It covers interconnecting generators, wind turbines, and solar and fuel cells with utility and other power sources. A number of editorial changes were made to improve its usefulness.

Another change to the 2011 NEC is the addition of new Article 694, which provides new requirements for the installation of small wind electric systems. This new article also covers requirements for individual generators that are limited to 100 kW or less. Multiple wind turbines can be used in accordance with this article, as long as no single turbine exceeds 100 kW. This article is patterned in format after Article 690 for photovoltaic systems.

Alternative energy is not the only area of the Code that is revised. Article 840 has been added to address the increased demand for broadband communications systems with requirements for premises-powered optical fiber–based broadband communications systems. These systems provide a wide array of services, including voice, video, data (such as Internet access), and interactive services through an optical network terminal. Article 840 contains requirements for wiring both the inside and the outside of buildings for these types of systems.

A new Article 399 provides requirements for overhead distribution systems of large electrical system that are common on commercial and industrial campuses. The requirements in this new article cover electrical installations over 600 volts.

In addition to these changes, the 2011 edition of the Code has also added several new requirements on issues relating to workplace safety that dovetail requirements in NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. For instance, in 240.87, a new requirement was added to document the use of circuit breakers without an instantaneous trip and, where they are used, to provide means to reduce incident energy. The Code also has added a new requirement in 408.4(B) that it be clearly marked where a power source originates on switchboards and panelboards that are supplied by a feeder. Another new requirement in 450.14 clarifies disconnecting means for transformers by covering disconnecting means for transformers other than Class 2 or Class 3 transformers.

Along with these major changes, there were many minor revisions made in the 2011 NEC in an effort to clarify requirements, improve readability, and enhance usability. All of these changes—both major and minor—strive to keep the NEC an important and ever-changing document. This new 2011 edition sets a new benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection.

Item-Type: A Closer Look

Code/Year: NEC 2008

Teaser: The 2011 NEC marks an important milestone—100 years of NFPA sponsorship. Throughout its 114-year history, the Code has continued to keep abreast of the state-of-the-art in technology. Major changes to the 2011 NEC focus on the major issue of the day, which is alternative energy. These changes recognize the demand for alternate energy by providing installation requirements that facilitate safe installations.

Code Article/Topic: 2011 NEC

Featured Start: 8/23/2010

Featured End: 9/30/2010

Subscriber Only: 10/15/2010

Search Topic: 2011 NEC, 399, 705, 840, 625, 240, 408, 450

Page Content:

Click the link below to hear from Tom Lichtenstein from Underwriters Laboratory discuss how to use the UL White Book that has been incorporated into necplus.

View the web presentation.

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.

Item-Type: A Closer Look

Code/Year: NEC 2008

Teaser: Hear from Tom Lichtenstein from Underwriters Laboratory discuss how to use the UL White Book that has been incorporated into necplus.

Code Article/Topic: NEC 2008

Featured Start: 6/30/2010

Featured End: 8/2/2010

Subscriber Only: 10/1/2010

Search Topic: UL White Book, Product Categories