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| ABB Modular Emergency Stops (E-Stops) 30mm & 40mm Mushroom StyleABB's emergency stop selection just got bigger! Six new styles have been added to our Modular product line, which now includes 30, 40, and 60mm diameter operators with twist, pull, and key release functions.
By: ABB Group The products we are now introducing are new 30 and 40mm designs, which coordinate aesthetically with our popular Compact products. The feeling of the new 40mm mushroom operator has received an excellent response from our reference group, and we are expecting similar enthusiasm from your customers! These new products meet IEC 60947-5-5 and are ETL Listed as meeting the requirements of UL 508. There has been some confusion and misinformation in the marketplace regarding the ETL certification of some ABB products (http://www.clrwtr.com/ What is an NRTL? A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory is an independent laboratory accepted by OSHA to test products to the specifications of applicable product safety standards – such as those from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and other standards-writing bodies. An NRTL’s function is to provide independent evaluation, testing, and certification of any electrically operated products. What is ETL? Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) is a NRTL that is accepted by OSHA as an independent certification laboratory for electrical products. The original Electrical Testing Laboratories was founded by Thomas Edison in 1896. ETL was formed to address concerns of lamp safety and performance issues, and to provide assurance to consumers through various types of product performance and safety tests. The basic principles of Edison’ Is the ETL Listed Mark the legal equivalent to the UL and CSA Listed Marks? The true legal requirement to test and certify products for sale in the U.S. is a designation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). An NRTL functions to provide independent evaluation, testing, and certification of any electrically operated product. ETL is recognized as an NRTL in the U.S. A product bearing the ETL Listed Mark is determined to have met the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. The mark indicates that the manufacturer’ Why does ABB choose to test some products with ETL? One of the key reasons we choose to use ETL is that the timeframe in which they can test and certify products is usually much faster than UL. ETL tests to the same standards as UL and their certification has the same recognition by OSHA since they are both Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). What’s the difference between the UL, CSA, and ETL Listed Marks? All of these marks demonstrate that the product has met the minimum requirements of widely accepted safety standards as determined through the independent testing of an NRTL. Aren’t manufacturers required to use UL for their compliance testing? Isn’t this mandated by the standards themselves? The simple answer to both questions is “no”. In fact, this misconception has misled many manufacturers to believe that they don’t have a choice in their third-party testing partner. To satisfy the prerequisite of having products tested by an independent organization, the true legal requirement is that the laboratory which performs the testing must be a NRTL recognized by OSHA. What does the ETL Listed Mark mean when displayed on my product? The ETL Listed Mark indicates that your product has been tested by a NRTL, found to be in compliance with accepted national standards, and meets the minimal requirements required for sale or distribution. To your customers, the ETL Mark is assurance that the product is compliant with safety standards, having be tested and certified by a third-party organization. ETL vs. UL Listings Understanding the acceptance of ETL certification on ABB products Will customers accept products that only bear the ETL List Mark? Yes. Since the ETL Listed Mark is an accepted and recognized demonstration of product compliance, and testing is performed by an NRTL, there is no reason why customers should not accept products bearing the ETL Listed Mark. Any indication otherwise by an individual retailer or distributor likely stems from misinformation in the marketplace – the same misinformation that has led some manufacturers to believe they don’t have a choice in their third-party testing organization. What should I tell my clients who aren’t familiar with the ETL Listed Mark? We realize that many clients and customers will likely push back at first when informed about the credibility of the ETL Listed Mark, depending on the background, circumstances, and other details of a given situation. Some may erroneously believe that the UL Mark is the only acceptable demonstration of product compliance and require a more thorough explanation of the true legal requirements behind third-party safety testing. It is important to listen closely to your client’s issues and provide them with real answers to their concerns. Inform them about the NRTL program. Explain to them how all NRTLs (including both UL and ETL) are just independent companies, not government agencies. They all follow the same testing, listing, labeling, and follow-up inspection services. What countries accept the ETL Listed Mark? The ETL Mark is an accepted demonstration of product compliance both in the U.S. and Canada. Do local inspectors know the ETL Listed Mark? Yes. The ETL Listed Mark is recognized by local inspectors and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) throughout North America and also in some areas of South America. An NRTL recognized by OSHA, the ETL Listed mark is an accepted alternative to UL, and inspectors and AHJs recognize, acknowledge, and accept the mark as proof of product compliance. # # # Clearwater Technologies, Inc. is a leading factory industrial automation supplies distributors in the Pacific Northwest USA End
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