Research activities

UL uses its research resources to stay in the forefront of EV safety, including several important contributions to the EV industry:

• Development of a test protocol for hydrogen gas emissions from EVs that aided in the development of the National Electrical Code^® (1996 edition), Article 625 -- Electric Vehicle Charging System Equipment.
• Research sponsored by Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE) and Japan Electric Vehicle Association for evaluation of EV conductive plug configurations. This work led to the development of a standardized plug and receptacle configuration for EV conductive charging.
• Research sponsored by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), GM, Ford and Chrysler for the field testing of personnel protections systems used in EV charging systems. This work led to the development of UL 2231, the Standard for Safety of Personnel Protection Systems for EV Supply Circuits.

In addition, UL has written and/or contributed to the following works that have been published by EPRI:

• Toepfer, C., Ford Motor Company, and J. Francfort, U.S. Department of Energy. "Personnel Protection Devices for Specific Applications: Special Considerations for Conditions-of-Use Constraints." EPRI, TR-114090 (1999). Discusses the concept of controlling risk by means of a "package" of mechanisms, including limits on electrical parameters and other protective mechanisms. The mechanisms include features that are part of the equipment, protective personal apparel, features and restrictions associated with the site of the equipment, and influence on the personal behavior, which includes training.
• Toepfer, C., Ford Motor Company, and J. Francfort, U.S. Department of Energy. "Safety Criteria of Isolated DC Systems in Electric Vehicles: Traction Motor and Control Circuitry Under Charging and Driving Conditions." EPRI, TR-114089 (1999). Discusses system grounding, faults, shock, fire, and analysis of probability of these occurrences and protection with regards to electric vehicles.
• Skuggevig, W., Underwriters Laboratories Inc. "Personnel Protection Systems for Electric Vehicle Charging Circuits." EPRI, TR-105939, (1995). Research Project 4857-02.
• Singh, T., PQES, Inc., Load Management, Distribution, and Power Quality Committee to the National EV Infrastructure Working Council. "Test Protocol for System Compatibility of Single-Phase Battery Chargers for Electric Vehicles (SC-320)." EPRI, TR-106538 (1996).
• Singh, T., PQES, Inc. Load Management, Distribution, and Power Quality Committee to the National EV Infrastructure Working Council. "Test Protocol for System Compatibility of Three-Phase Battery Chargers for EVs (SC330)." EPRI, TR-106539 (1996).
• Newton, S., Ford Motor Company, Load Management, Distribution, and Power Quality Committee to the National EV Infrastructure Working Council. "Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Operational Recommendations for Power Quality." EPRI, TR-109023 (1995).