Terminal Blocks for Factory or Field Wiring. How to know what you’re getting –
Terminal Blocks come in many different forms. They’re rated for difference wire sizes, voltages and ampacities, temperatures, short circuit ratings, and more.
Many don’t know, however, UL also rates them for Factory or Field wiring. Terminal Blocks rated for Factory wiring only, cannot be used for wires to be installed in the field. So, if you’re at UL with your product that has a Terminal Block intended to be wired in the field, you better make sure you pick the right one.
Picking the right one –
UL designates Terminal Blocks for Factory or Field Wiring. See below from UL’s Guide Card on Terminal Blocks -
XCFR2.GuideInfo - Terminal Blocks - Component
Factory and/or Field Wiring (FW) — These terminal blocks are rated for: Code 1, factory wiring only, or Code 2, both factory and field wiring. The suitability of the connections (including spacings between factory connectors) shall be determined in the end-use application.
Unless noted with a "CA 4" in the last column, a terminal connector suitable for field wiring has been investigated to ANSI/UL 486A-486B, "Wire Connectors."
When Code 1 and Code 2 terminals are intermixed on the same terminal block, both codes will be used with suitable indication for which terminal each code applies, i.e., 1/2.
When looking for the right Terminal Block, look in the FW column on the companies UL Recognition card.
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|
||||||||
|
Series |
Wire |
Wire |
|
TQ |
|
|
|
|
|
+FP |
14 |
Cu |
1 |
— |
300 |
20 |
C |
2(130),# |
|
+FS |
14 |
Cu |
1 |
— |
300 |
20 |
C |
2(130),# |
|
@FP-XX-25A |
12 |
Cu |
1 |
— |
300 |
25 |
C |
2(130),# |
|
@FS-XX-25A |
12 |
Cu |
1 |
— |
300 |
25 |
C |
2(130),# |
|
+D exept for D-11 |
4-18 SOL/STR |
Cu |
2 |
20 |
250/300 |
85 |
B/C |
2(130),# |
|
(2) 12-16 STR |
Cu |
2 |
20 |
250/300 |
35 |
B/C |
2(130),# |
|
|
(2) 18 SOL/STR |
Cu |
2 |
20 |
250/300 |
What is a Field Evaluation?
A field evaluation is a process whereby products that do not have a certification acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), where-as the owner can be evaluated to the applicable product safety standard(s) for the specific application at location where the product is being utilized. Only NRTL’s (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) can evaluate and Field Label these products.
Product Safety Consulting Inc has partnered with QPS which is a NRTL out of Toronto Canada. We provided quick, consistent and capability to many of the category of product needing this service. We normally can be onsite within a week from your request. Call us today!
If you would like a quote for service or have any questions about the Field Evaluations Service offering, please contact us at (630) 238-0188.
How long will the process take? That depends on what stage you’ve reached, and the complexity of your product. If your design is simply a tweaking of a normal table lamp testing might be fast and easy. If you’ve invented a new and revolutionary heart pacemaker the process will probably take longer. In the latter case you might be using unusual materials or processes. There might be aspects in your design that have never been tested before. Beyond this, there’s your reaction time. If a glitch appears, and you solve it immediately obviously the process will move more quickly. These kinds of issues affect the timing for the testing of any product.
