Subject: Re: custom light fixtures & U.L.approval

From: "Franklyn Garland" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 16:33:52 +0000

> 
> i would be interested to know about the experiences of those of you which
> have built custom light fixtures and then taken them for U.L. approval.

As I understand it, UL approval is voluntary and EXPENSIVE to obtain. 
 They often destroy the piece(s) they are testing.  From my own work 
expirience I know that UL approval is only required "code" for 
hospitals or commercial buildings in some cities (like Chicago.)  
Whenever you make a lamp you are taking a risk.  You can use UL 
approved parts.  You can saftey test (check the ground) of the lamp 
and fuse protect the circut.  But if something goes wrong, UL 
approved or no, you can be a legal poptart.  The lawyers will like 
their lips and grin when they see the brief.  Product liability laws 
will have a much greater effect on you than UL listing.  And from 
what little I know of UL's methods, I doubt they would be able 
to approve a single item at a time.

If anyone else knows more about this, I would certain be eager to 
hear (er..read) about your expirience.

Thnaks

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Franklyn D. Garland                         
The Celtic Knot Forge                       
[email-masked]                                 
http://www.mcs.net/~frnklyn/homepage/
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From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 09:25:04 -0500

> > have built custom light fixtures and then taken them for U.L. approval.

In his demo at Quad States last year Peter Sevin recommended selling 
your lighting fixtures without wiring them to avoid liability 
problems. You could do this by providing the hardware but not 
installing it or getting someone else to do that job. He strongly 
recommended (insisted) that you ground the fixture and file all rough 
edges which could contact a wire. Rubber grommets should be used on 
all holes.

I would think UL approval would be worth the price.
-- 
Jim McCarty
Father Helias Forge
Taos, MO
Editor Rural Missouri Magazine
Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri

³Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds³