Standards Corner - Appliance Advisor Issue 1 2021

By Joe Musso, standards program manager

STP 82 – ELECTRIC GARDENING APPLIANCES – A new proposal for the Standard for Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4-1000: Particular Requirements For Utility Machines, UL 62841-4-1000, was circulated for STP ballot in October 2020, closing Nov. 30. The proposal covers the allowance of electronically operated parking brakes. The proposal reached consensus with one comment, resulting in a slight change to the proposal. The revised proposal was recirculated Jan. 8, 2021, closing Feb. 8. The proposal maintained consensus and will move to publication during Q1 2021.

A new proposal for the Standard for Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools And Lawn And Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4-1: Particular Requirements For Chain Saws, UL 62841-4-1, was circulated for STP ballot Jan. 15, 2021, closing Feb. 15. The proposal has two topics covering a correction to the longitudinal balance test method for top-handle saws and addition of a national difference to indicate that clause K.1 is not applicable for chain saws.

STP 507 – ELECTRIC FANS – A series of seven new proposals were circulated for preliminary STP review Jan. 22, 2021, closing for comment Feb. 5. Several comments were received that will be reviewed prior to moving to STP ballot during Q2 2021. The proposals cover the following topics:

1. Exception of Winding Treatment for Fans Intended to be Exposed to the Weather
2. Replace Reference to UL 508C with UL 61800-5-1 for Motor Drives and Motor Controllers Used in Fans
3. Removal of the UL 2111 Reference for Overheating Protection of Motors (Replaced by UL 1004-2 and UL 1004-3)
4. Addition of Reference to UL 969A for Cord Tags
5. Addition of Safety Instructions for Replacement Parts
6. UL 507 Outdoor Rating for Portable Outdoor Equipment
7. Revision of the UL 867 Reference to Reflect the Updated Section of Ozone Test

STP 745 – ELECTRIC TOOLS – Multiple efforts are underway in the electric tools area as follows:

UL 62841-2-3, Particular Requirements for Grinders, Polishers, and Disk-Type Sanders: Proposed first edition was circulated for STP ballot Q4 2020. Consensus was achieved, with multiple comments. The changes resulting from the ballot comments were incorporated into the proposed new edition, and recirculated to the STP Jan. 22, 2021, closing Feb. 22.

UL 62841-3-7, Particular Requirements for Transportable Wall Saws: Proposed first edition was circulated for STP ballot Q4 2020. Consensus was achieved, with no negative votes or comments. The new edition is targeted for publication during February 2021.

UL 62841-3-9, Particular Requirements for Transportable Mitre Saws: Proposed new (2^nd) edition circulated for preliminary STP review Jan. 22, 2021, closing Feb. 17.

STP 749 – HOUSEHOLD DISHWASHERS – The technical harmonization committee continues to meet on a monthly basis to review a number of new proposals, with the next meeting scheduled for February.

STP 858 – HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC RANGES – A new technical harmonization committee (THC) has been formed to begin work on developing a binationally-harmonized standard with CSA. Work continues on development of the draft proposed new edition.

STP 859 – ELECTRIC PERSONAL GROOMING APPLIANCES – Two proposal topics were circulated for STP preliminary review during Q4 2020. The proposals covered lithium battery operated personal grooming appliances and USB power sources and outputs. Comments were received and are being reviewed in preparation for the STP ballot.

STP 1017 - VACUUM CLEANERS, BLOWER CLEANERS, AND HOUSEHOLD FLOOR FINISHING MACHINES – This binational standard with Canada has been very active, with the work carrying over into 2021. UL and CSA Standards teams have worked together to review and prepare the proposed new (11^th) edition of UL 1017 as developed by the THC. In parallel, the THC responsible for the new binational adoption of IEC 60335-2-2 meets on a monthly basis to continue the work of harmonizing UL 1017 with IEC 60335-2-2. Meetings will continue, with the next series of meetings scheduled for March 2021.

STP 2157 – ELECTRIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES, EXTRACTORS, AND DRYERS – A Call for Proposals was issued for UL 2157. The THC anticipates initiating the next revision cycle during Q2 2021.

The proposed new (6^th) edition of UL 2158 (clothes dryers) was circulated for STP ballot during Q4 2020. The proposed new edition reached consensus, but with several negative votes and comments that are under review by the THC. Once the THC completes its review of the comments, the next step will be recirculation of any resulting changes to the STP.

STP 2595 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERY-OPERATED APPLIANCES – The proposed new (3^rd) edition was circulated for preliminary STP review, with comments closing Q1 2021. Once comments are reviewed, the next step will be STP ballot.

STP 60335-2-89 – COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS – The second edition of the Standard for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances - Safety - Part 2-89: Particular Requirements for Commercial Refrigerating Appliances with an Incorporated or Remote Refrigerant Unit or Compressor, was circulated for STP ballot Dec. 4, 2020, closing Feb. 2. The proposed new edition reached consensus, but with a number of negative comments. The comments will be reviewed by the THC. Any additional changes resulting from the ballot comments will be recirculated when ready, most likely during Q2 2021.