Electrical Certifications: What You Need to Know

At Docking Drawer, we're proud to be the market leader of in-drawer electrical outlets. Offering a full array of solutions, we are committed to charging and powering today's connected lifestyle with innovative solutions. Best of all, every outlet is electrically certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). But we get a lot of questions about what that means. So we're going to explain in plain English the difference between being ETL-listed, UL-listed and Recognized.

3 Types of Listings: ETL-listed, UL-listed and Recognized

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Certification	Listed (This is the Electrical Listing mark that Docking Drawer Uses)	Listed	Recognized
Country	US and Canada	US and Canada	US and Canada
Definition	The product in question meets industry and safety standards and has passed the UL’s full battery of tests. Products that are certified to safety-related standards have been evaluated with regard to all reasonably foreseeable safety-related hazards, including fire, electrical shock and mechanical hazards. Because “ETL or UL Listed” status has more restrictions and is harder to achieve than “UL Recognized” status, many products not expected to be used in harsh environments are not subjected to this expensive testing.	The product in question meets industry and safety standards and has passed the UL’s full battery of tests. Products that are certified to safety-related standards have been evaluated with regard to all reasonably foreseeable safety-related hazards, including fire, electrical shock and mechanical hazards. Because “ETL or UL Listed” status has more restrictions and is harder to achieve than “UL Recognized” status, many products not expected to be used in harsh environments are not subjected to this expensive testing.	“UL Recognized” usually applies to components that meets applicable industry standards. In some situations, specific types of components may be incomplete in construction or restricted in performance capabilities. These components are “Recognized” and may be suitable for factory installation on other equipment, where the limitations of use are known to the manufacturer and where their use within such limitations may be investigated by UL. Using UL Recognized components makes it easier for a product to achieve and maintain UL Recognized approval
Liability	Installing Listed solutions means that the MANUFACTURER accepts responsibility for the in-drawer outlets intended use.	Installing Listed solutions means that the MANUFACTURER accepts responsibility for in-drawer outlets intended use.	Installing Recognized solutions means the SPECIFIER and INSTALLER assume the responsibility for in-drawer outlets intended use. Know your risk.

In short, “ETL Listed and UL Listed” tends to be for complete devices which are ready to be purchased and installed wherever they need to be, and are more difficult and expensive to obtain than “UL Recognized.” “UL Recognized” is more for specific subcomponents used to create a product or device, is easier and less expensive to obtain than ‘Listed,’ and using these parts makes it easier for your end product to attain UL Listing.

Electrical Certifications in Plain English

OSHA - Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories

A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is a private-sector organization that OSHA has recognized as meeting the legal requirements in 29 CFR 1910.7 to perform testing and certification of products using consensus-based test standards.

For example, Interteck (ETL), TUV, and UL are all Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) which are independent laboratories recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). All are internationally accredited labs capable of testing to a variety of standards, including UL962a and CSA C22.2 (Canada).

All Docking Drawer outlets for use in United States are ETL Listed to UL 962.a.Certain Blade Series and Style Drawer Blade outlets are ETL Listed to CSA 22.2. Learn more about our Canadian offering HERE.

All Docking Drawer outlets are tested by Intertek, which is an independent Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These labs test products to the specifications of product safety codes. In other words, products are tested for their intended use. If they can't pass these tests safely then they are not in compliance.

But at Docking Drawer, we're in compliance with accepted national standards (UL 962a and CSA C22.2 No. 21). And for our friends in Canada, the 15 & 20 amp Blade Series accommodates an Interlock Outlet that turns the power off when the drawer is closed. This addition satisfies the requirements listed in section 26-710 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) that stipulate that an outlet be de-energized when a drawer is closed.

ETL vs TUV vs UL Electrical Listings: What are the Differences?

As far as regulatory approval goes, there isn't a difference between ETL, TUV, and UL listings. Inspectors treat them equally as they are all approved by the US Government as NRTLs.

That being said, UL has an additional classification of mark called UL Recognized. It's intended for components installed inside of finished and listed devices. UL intends for recognized components to be specified and installed by technical people in a factory environment. They are not intended to be used and installed in the field.

Note - If a Recognized Component is installed in the field, the only way for UL to verify compliance with a component's conditions of acceptability is to conduct a UL Field Evaluation on the end product where the component is installed. The specifier and installer assume the responsibility. Know your risks.

Global Electrical Certifications

United States

We're ETL Listed to the UL 962a standard. This means our outlets are completely legal to use and will pass building and home inspections.

Docking Drawer ETL Certification

Canada

Docking Drawer CSA Certification

Australia & New Zealand

All outlets for AUS/NZ are Australian Certified for Safety and EMC.

Docking Drawer Australian Certification for In-Drawer Outlets

Docking Drawer Australian Certification for Pop Up Outlets

Europe

Docking Drawer outlets for use in Europe are CE approved.

Docking Drawer CE Certification for In-Drawer Outlets

Docking Drawer CE Certification for Pop Up Outlets

United Kingdom

All Flush Pop Up outlets for UKCA certified for use in the UK.

Docking Drawer UKCA Certification for Flush Pop Up Outlets

All Docking Drawer Electrical Certifications can be found HERE

ETL Labeling Details on Docking Drawer Blade Duo and Blade Outlets

All the components used in the Blade and Blade Duo outlets are rated for use at or in excess of 20 amps. This includes all internal wiring, the thermostat, connectors, ground connections, power cords, and the plug. All internal wiring, including ground connections and the power cord on the 1514 Series is 14 AWG and the 2012 Blade Series, is 12 AWG. All safety testing has been done at 20A.

The 1514 Series and the 2012 series Docking Drawer Blade Duo and Docking Drawer Blade are certified by Intertek under the classification of Furniture Power Delivery Units (FPDU).

The NEC (USA) states that 15 amp and 20 amp FPDUs in the US must be labeled as 12 amps maximum for 15 amp and 16 amps maximum for 20 amp.

The CEC (Canada) states that FPDU’s can be labeled at 15 or 20 amps but Docking Drawer uses a universal label and therefore uses the 12 amp label for 15 amp and 16 amp label on 20 amp outlets being installed in Canada.

As a result, All Docking Drawer Blade Duo and Docking Drawer Blade are labeled with the Max Output as 12A/1440W and 16A/1440W even though all of the componentry meets or exceeds the requirements for 20 amp electrical outlets.

Here is an 20 amp outlet example -