Agency Approvals

 

Most countries have regulatory agencies that determine the safety and performance standards required for products used in that country. Carling Technologies' switches are tested and have been certified by the most widely recognized of the these agencies including Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in the United States; Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in Canada; and Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany.

For the purposes of this discussion, listings/certifications will be addressed in general terms. Recognition and certifications on specific Carling switch series and catalog numbers can vary depending on configurations of ratings, actuators, terminations, spacing, etc. You may obtain specific agency approvals for a given Carling switch series by visiting the individual product page for that series or by using the on-line Product Selector, both found on this web site. You can obtain agency information for a specific catalog number, using Carling's on-line Configurit, also found within this web site. For agency information on customized switch requirements or catalog numbers, you can contact your Carling Technologies Sales Representative or contact Carling Technologies directly.

UL RECOGNIZED

UL Recognition covers components which are incomplete or restricted in performance capabilities. These components will later be used in complete end products or systems Listed by UL. These Recognized components are not intended for separate installation in the field. They are intended for use as components of complete equipment submitted for investigation to UL.

Carling Technologies' switches are recognized under the UL Components Recognition Program UL Standard 1054; Switches, Special Use, a category that covers switches for use in devices or appliances.

CSA

Carling Technologies switches are also certified through the Canadian Standards Association, CSA, under Class 6241 10; CSA Standard C22.2 No 55-M; Switches - Snap - Special Use. This classification covers component type switches for ampere, horsepower, tungsten filament, heater, television, and speed control loads, including micro-action switches. Switches generally have exposed connections or lead ends, but may be provided with enclosures.

VDE

Several Carling Technologies' switch series have also been certified through Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker, VDE under Class 4401, Switches for appliances.

Though Carling will continue to stamp their switches with a VDE mark, VDE certification, along with many other European agency certifications, is now covered under European Norms Electrical Certification or ENEC. Please read below for further information on European certifications.

ENEC

Over 20 European countries have converged under a single standard for certification, the European Norms Electrical Certification or ENEC. ENEC is now the recognized certification issued within these European countries. The ENEC marking on a switch is comparable and replaces many European agency markings including: DEMKO, FIMKO, UTE, VDE, TUV, NEMKO, SEMKO, SEV, and BEAB.

Those Carling Technologies switch series that have been given ENEC certification fall under ENEC Class EN 61058-1. This International Standard IEC 1058 standard applies to switches for appliances actuated by hand, by foot or by other human activity for use in, on or with appliances and other equipment for household and similar purposes, with a rated voltage not exceeding 440V and a rated current not exceeding 63A. It also covers the indirect actuation of the switch when the function of the actuating member is provided by a part of an appliance or equipment, such as a door.

Qualified ENEC Carling switches will be marked as shown below:

This marking consists of: the ENEC certification mark, a numeric value that represents the regulatory agency which tested the product and issued the certification ("10" representing VDE), and the VDE mark itself. The VDE mark is unnecessary for acceptance in Europe, but Carling includes it on its switch for the benefit of those North American designers/specifiers who may not yet be familiar with ENEC certifications.

AGENCY FILE NUMBERS

Carling Technologies' switches fall under the following agency file numbers: UL File Number E7560
CSA File Number LR9280
VDE File Number 10537