Assistance with Lighting Component Supply Issues

By Wilger Testing Company on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

Wilger Testing Co. Inc. Assistance with Lighting Component Supply Chain Issues

Manufacturers need to be able to sleep at night knowing that due diligence was done when replacing current/existing components with new/alternate components.

Let Wilger assist you with vetting these new components for suitability prior to spending a significant amount of money purchasing inferior components that do not comply with the applicable UL/ETL/CSA requirements.  We can also determine if these new components are required to be added to your descriptive UL/CSA/ETL listings or if the reports are already written generically enough so that no additional revisions are required.

This can ensure that factory inspectors do not issue Variation Notices, place shipments on hold, and also ensuring that the job is not rejected in the field by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)/electrical inspectors.

With the current supply chain issues many manufacturers are being forced to substitute Thermal Protectors, LED Drivers/Power Supplies, Plastic Components, Cord/Cables, LED Chips/Arrays, etc in order to meet project shipment deadlines.  Below are some items that may wish to consider:

  1. Thermal Protector substitution – Due to shortage of available thermal protectors many manufacturers are looking for alternate thermal protectors.  These thermal protectors must be verified to ensure that they are suitable for use in lighting products and have the correct ratings/safety certifications.  Testing should also be performed to ensure that the thermal protectors will cycle off at the correct temperatures during abnormal conditions as we have seen thermal protectors not cycling off until 10-20 degrees above the rated temperature.  This could be due to supply chain issues or the quality of the manufacturing process suffering due to staffing issues.  Manufacturers do not want field failures or luminaires cycling on/off in the field.
  2. LED Driver/Power Supply substitution – Alternate LED Drivers must comply with the applicable Class P or substitution guidelines or be tested/evaluated for use as a direct replacement.  Compatibility should be verified and testing should be performed where needed. Even if the testing is just for R&D purposes to ensure no field failures will occur the manufacturer can have this test data performed by an ISO 17025 Accredited Third Party Test lab to reduce their liability and have a defendable position in the event that field failures or improper installation occurs.
  3. Alternate Plastics should be verified to ensure that the plastics are suitable for use in the end product installation.  Many alternate plastics that will be offered by plastic vendors do not have the required UL temperature and flammability ratings or are not UL Recognized at all.
  4. Cord or Cable Substitutions must be verified for suitability, voltage and current ratings.  Class 2 plenum cable must be verified.
  5. Alternate LED Chips/Arrays must be verified for compatibility with existing led components described in the UL/CSA or ETL reports and electrical/temperature ratings must be checked.

Our engineering and laboratory services have assisted lighting manufacturers for over 40 years in reducing unnecessary litigation and back charges.

Please visit us at www.wilgertesting.com or call us at 941-925-2049 and ask to speak to a Consultant.

We've been trusted by thousands of global companies in their compliance testing. Take control of your future, stop wasting money and join our product safety testing team! Free quotations are a click away.

Get Started