In the lighting industry, there are some signs that provide information about the reliability, efficiency and quality of the product. In lighting devices; UL, cUL and DLC are frequently encountered abbreviations. So, what do all these abbreviations mean?
In the lighting industry, there are some signs that provide information about the reliability, efficiency and quality of the product. In lighting devices; UL, cUL and DLC are frequently encountered abbreviations. So, what do all these abbreviations mean?
If there is a UL mark on a product, that product has been manufactured in accordance with US standards and has successfully passed the relevant tests. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a testing laboratory that measures the reliability of lighting devices and other electrical appliances. UL is a non-profit organization dedicated to public safety. UL sets standards for different product categories and tests whether products meet these standards. This whole process is similar to the CE marking. Manufacturers who want to sell products to the United States must go through the testing process and enter the UL list.
The cUL mark indicates that the product is suitable and reliable for the Canadian market. The testing, certification and inspection organization is run by ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada). ULC evaluates a wide range of products, components, materials and systems for compliance with specific requirements. While there are many similarities between the UL and cUL marks and testing processes, they are not interchangeable.
The mission of the DLC (DesignLights Consortium) is to raise awareness about the benefits of energy-efficient lighting in commercial buildings. The DLC provides resources to help lighting designers identify products that prioritize efficiency and comfort. If a product is listed as DLC, it can be said to have a high level of energy efficiency. DLC only applies to commercial lighting solutions and does not deal with consumer lighting solutions.
