Smart Enabled Appliances
In 2011 and early 2012, UL published several Certification Requirement Decisions (CRDs) documenting the safety requirements for smart-enabled appliances. These requirements are intended to anticipate Smart Grid interactivity and remote control by the consumer. They will be used to evaluate for safety the communications and controls circuits, as well as the smart-enabled functions of the appliances.
Background Information
"Smart Grid" describes the objective of a comprehensive upgrade to the US electric power grid. When fully implemented, it is expected to increase the overall efficiency, reliability and security of the power distribution system while facilitating the connection and utilization of renewable energy sources with the attendant environmental benefits. It will achieve this, in part, via interaction with appliances enabled to communicate with the grid.
"Smart enabled" appliances are products that allow remote control of their functions generally by communication with the utility or by a user remote interface such as a computer or smart phone. This allows the appliance and utility power supplier to communicate and decrease or delay consumption during peak demand times. It also may allow the user to remotely activate their appliances and change settings. The appliance must have an onboard control or externally connected control that can communicate with the utility or remote interface (generally this is via wireless or communication over power wires).
Safety Concerns
When evaluating a Smart Enabled appliance or control, critical issues include:
- Functional Safety - Incoming signals shall not be permitted to compromise the appliance protective functions or cause unanticipated operation that may be hazardous. Similarly, new functions that the appliance was not evaluated for cannot be enabled. There may need to be some operating parameters that cannot be actuated remotely and this will need to be addressed for specific appliances on a case-by-case basis.
- Electronic Circuits - Basic safety requirements (not a hazard of themselves) with emphasis on applying UL 60730.
- Hardware - Communication circuit and related requirements that are not currently covered by the appliance standard are included in the CRDs.
- Enabled functions - All enabled functions are to be considered (user and smart enabled).
- EMC "Auto-Immunity" - Communications circuits within or on the appliance may generate EMC. This needs to be evaluated to determine that it does not affect the functional safety of the appliance or its protective controls.
Certification Requirement Decisions Issued UL has currently issued CRDs for the following Major Appliance categories:
- Electric Clothes Dryers (UL 2158)
- Household Refrigerators and Freezers (UL 250)
- Household Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters (UL 174)
- Energy Management Equipment (UL 916)
- Room Air Conditioners (UL 484)
- Electric Clothes Washers (UL 2157)
- Household Ranges/Cooktops (UL 858)
- Microwave Ovens (UL 923)
- Household Dishwashers (UL 749)
These requirements are intended to be used in conjunction with the basic end product safety standard to ensure that smart enabled functionality does not impact the overall safety of the appliance or equipment. Together, they are part of UL's Certification requirements for these types of products UL is in the process of working with industry to assess the need for these types of supplemental requirements in HVAC equipment, lighting products and other appliances. For additional information, contact Barry Kalian at barrett.t.kalian@ul.com or +1.360.817.5504.
