Brief introduction of ETL certification in the United States

ETL is a safety certification mark in North America, which can be traced back to the electrical testing laboratory founded by Thomas Edison in 1896. It has a wide range of popularity and recognition in North America. ETL logo is the exclusive logo of Intertek Intertek group, the world's leading quality and safety organization. The product representatives who obtain ETL logo meet the mandatory standards of North America, and can enter the North American market for sale smoothly.

Any electrical, mechanical or electromechanical product with ETL inspection mark indicates that it has been tested to meet relevant industry standards. Each industry has different testing standards, so the requirements for specific products must be consulted with professionals. ETL inspection mark is widely used in cable products, indicating that it has passed relevant tests.

In most parts of the United States, approval of electrical products is mandatory. ETL means ETL Testing Laboratories Inc. ETL's listed products are recognized by the "authorities having jurisdiction" and can be considered "approved".

ETL certification mark

ETL certified factory inspection

ETL needs to carry out factory inspection before issuing certificate, and then follow up factory inspection from time to time every quarter. In addition to factory inspection fee, ETL also needs to pay certificate license fee on a quarterly basis.

If necessary, the inspector can witness the retest of the product or the test in the laboratory after sampling.

The licensee must sign a legal contract (service agreement) with ETL, which clearly defines the responsibility of the manufacturer and the conditions for the use of consecutive ETL listing and ETL logo.

ETL certification application document

Until 2013, there are two ways to obtain ETL certificate, one is to transfer it through CB test report, or directly apply for it. The required documents are as follows:

1. Application form;

2. Copy of CB test certificate (not required for direct application);

3. Copy of CB test report (not required for direct application);

4. samples;

5. Other relevant test results and product data, such as product manual, photos, list of components, etc.

(if transferred through CB report, difference test is required)

ETL certification test project

1) Leakage current test: the sample used for leakage current test has not been tested before the test

2) Normal temperature rise: Test Method: thermocouple: the standard requires 24-30awg thermocouple (30awg currently used in the laboratory)

3) . post tidal leakage current test: General test conditions: T = 32 + / - 2 ° C, Rh = 88 ± 2%. Duration: 48 hours after completion, take it out for leakage current test conditions: T = 20 ~ 30 ° C, Rh = 93 + / - 3%

4) Voltage withstand test: generally, products without double insulation and grounding requirements: 1000 V / 1 minute (the target voltage climb time of the equipment is set to 5 seconds, the cut-off current is set to 8.3 Ma, and then it is kept for 1 minute under the target voltage)

Difference between ETL certification and UL certification

UL and ETL both represent products that have passed the tests of NRTL and meet the corresponding safety standards. So the real difference is service. As ETL's customers, you can enjoy customized testing, inspection and certification services, fast operation cycle and flexible working methods. We are creating a way to work more closely with our customers so that your products can enter the market faster, more smoothly and more efficiently.

ETL certification and UL certification have the same market access effect in North America, but the cost of ETL certification is much lower than that of UL certification. Generally, it is only half of that of UL certification. Moreover, the product testing of ETL certification can be transferred through CB test report, which can save you a lot of testing costs.

ETL certification time is also much shorter than UL certification. In special cases, ETL can issue certificates first, and then conduct Factory review, so as to save precious time for your product export.