UL launches power quality assessment program

Data, test labs can be tested through new service

By PLE Staff June 8, 2009

Underwriters Laboratories has launched its new Power Quality Study service offering. This new service, available to customers of Data Acceptance Programs (DAP) and Manufacturer Test Laboratories (MTLs), offers an assessment of the power quality of a customer’s testing location.
"UL is delighted to provide this new service offering because it supports our public safety mission by helping to assure there is a suitable environment for testing products," said Gary Savin, Vice President and General Manger for Power and Controls.
The DAP and MTL programs allow manufacturers to conduct their own testing or to contract with another testing facility to complete testing. However, DAP customers and International Electrotechnical Commission for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment (IECEE – CB) Manufacturer Test Laboratories (MTL) are required by ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.3 to monitor and control their test environments including power sources. When a customer lacks the technical ability or equipment to complete a power quality study itself, UL now offers an added service to complete the power quality study for the testing area.
A power quality study assessment confirms that the source of power meets minimum voltage regulation, frequency regulation and harmonic distortion requirements. With UL’s Power Quality Study service, a report is provided to the customer for their records and can be used to verify the power quality of the test environment for submitted test data.
Customers are required to conduct a power quality study if they wish to participate in UL’s DAP or MTL programs. UL customers may save time and money by having UL perform this service as opposed to outsourcing the work to another service provider or conducting the tests themselves. UL utilizes calibrated equipment and knowledgeable, experienced staff in performing power quality studies.
"UL is committed to providing our customers the fastest, highest quality and most customer friendly service possible," said Savin. "Providing power quality studies further supports UL’s goal of becoming a one-stop-shop for all of its customers’ testing and certification needs."
Underwriters Laboratories is currently providing this service to customers across all industries within the United States. It has plans to expand internationally in the future and will notify its customers of that date in the future.
For more information on UL’s DAP program, visit: https://www.ul.com/dap.