"UL's Role in the Changing World of Telecommunications"

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has established itself as a leader in the field of testing products for safety, having done so for ninety years. A UL investigation of a product consists of an evaluation, through tests and examination, to determine compliance with applicable requirements. For most products, such requirements are included in published UL Standards for Safety. UL requirements apply to the ability of a product to perform with reasonable safety in its intended use. The cooperation between Underwriters Laboratories and the various industries, together with input from regulatory authorities, consumers and other sources, results in the continuous development or updating of Standards to reflect changing technology and industry advances. Since the decentralization of the telephone industry is prompting an influx of non-traditional telephone companies into the communications market, there has been an increased need for an outside agency to provide safety reviews of products. Keeping in step with this industry boom, UL has issued the second draft of its Standard for Telephone Appliances and Equipment, UL 1459, and is now deeply involved in evaluating and inspecting these products. This paper (presentation) will cover the history and purpose of ULt, our role in the field of safety, specific standards involved in the investigation of telecommunications equipment, field problems, known hazards, safety concerns, the current and anticipated Listing activities in telecommunications area, FCC testing and other UL activities in this field.