Subject 746C

June 24, 2011

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

The following changes in requirements to the Standard for Safety for Polymeric Materials – Use
in Electrical Equipment Evaluations, are being proposed:

1. Editorial and Harmonization Revisions

STP BALLOTS DUE: August 8, 2011

COMMENTS DUE: August 8, 2011

For your convenience in review, proposed additions to existing requirements are shown underlined and
proposed deletions are shown lined-out.

1. Editorial and Harmonization Revisions

RATIONALE

Discussion item submitted by: George J. Fechtmann, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

The following revisions are editorial in nature and/or reflect existing practice. Also, some of the revisions
harmonize the text with UL 746B regarding generic thermal indexes.

This proposal reflects the combination of Topic 6 and Topic 14 as discussed at the April 2011 746 STP
meeting (and subsequent Meeting Report dated May 2, 2011). It was agreed at the meeting that the
consolidated proposal could then be directly sent for ballot.

PROPOSAL

34.2 Except for materials specified Unless otherwise indicated in Table 7.1 of UL 746B, the generic
thermal index of a material is to be considered 50°C (122°F).
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34.3 Except where noted for materials specified Unless otherwise indicated in Table 7.1 of UL 746B, the
generic thermal index of a material is independent of thickness and pigmentation.

53.1.1 The apparatus employed is to consist of the following:

a) A test chamber, enclosure, or laboratory hood free of induced or forced draft during tests.

b) Laboratory Burner – A Bunsen or Tirrill burner having a tube with a length of 100 ±10 mm
(3.94 ±0.39 inch) and an inside diameter of 9.5 ±0.3 mm (0.374 ±0.012 inch). The tube shall not
be equipped with end attachments, such as a stabilizer.

c) Ring Stand – A ring stand with clamps or the equivalent, adjustable for vertical positioning of
specimens.

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d) Gas Supply – A supply of technical grade methane gas with regulator and meter for uniform
gas flow. Natural gas having a heat content of approximately 37 MJ/m3 (1000 Btu/ft3) has been
found to provide similar results. However, technical grade methane gas is to be used in case of
question.

e) Mounting Block – A block capable of positioning the burner at an angle of 20 degrees from
the vertical.

f) Stopwatch or other timing device.

g) Desiccator containing anhydrous calcium chloride.

h) Conditioning room or chamber capable of being maintained at 23 ±2°C (73 ±43.6°F) and a
relative humidity of 50 ±105 percent.

i) Conditioning Ovens – A full draft circulating-air oven capable of being maintained at 70

±12°C (158 ±41.5°F).

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j) A supply of dry absorbent surgical cotton.

53.2.1 Sets of five test plaques are to be conditioned as follows:

a) Sets are to be conditioned for at least 48 hours at a temperature of 23 ±2°C (73.4 ±43.6°F)
and a relative humidity of 50 ±105 percent prior to testing.

b) Sets are to be conditioned in a circulating-air oven for 168 ±2 hours at 70 ±12°C (158 ±41.8
°F) and then cooled in a desiccator over anhydrous calcium chloride for at least 4 hours at
room temperature prior to testing.

54.1.1.1 For flammability testing, 20 coated specimens, measuring 150 ±5 mm by 150 ±5 mm and
provided in the use thickness shall be conditioned in a full-draft circulating oven for 800 hours at 90.0
±2.52.0°C (194 ±53.6°F). An additional 20 specimens shall be conditioned in a full-draft circulating oven
for 1500 hours at 80.0 ±2.0°C (176.0 ±43.6°F). Following the specified conditioning periods, the
specimens are to be removed and conditioned for a minimum of 40 hours at 23.0 ±2.0°C (73.4 ±43.6°F)
and 50 ±105 percent relative humidity prior to testing.

54.1.1.2 For adhesion testing 20 coated specimens, measuring 125 ± 5 mm long by 13.0 ± 0.5 mm wide
127 by 12.7 mm and provided in the use thickness shall be conditioned in a full-draft circulating oven for
800 hours at 90.0 ±2.5 2.0°C (194 ±53.6°F). An additional 20 specimens shall be conditioned in a full-draft
circulating oven for 1500 hours at 80.0 ±2.0°C (176.0 ±43.6°F). Following the specified conditioning
periods, the specimens are to be removed and conditioned for a minimum of 40 hours at 23.0 ±2.0°C
(73.4 ±43.6°F) and 50 ±105 percent relative humidity prior to testing.

54.1.1.3 For izod impact and/or flexural strength testing, 20 coated specimens, measuring 50 ±3 mm long
by 13.0 ±0.5 mm wide by 3.2 ±0.3 mm 50.8 x 12.7 x 3.2 mm for izod impact and 125 ±5 mm long by 13.0
±0.5 mm wide 127 by 12.7 by 3.2 ±0.3 mm for flexural strength, shall be conditioned in a full-draft
circulating oven for 800 hours at 90.0 ±2.50°C (194 ±53.6°F). An additional 20 specimens shall be
conditioned in a full-draft circulating oven for 1500 hours at 80.0 ±2.0°C (176.0 ±43.6°F). Following the
specified conditioning periods, the specimens are to be removed and conditioned for a minimum of 40
hours at 23.0 ±2.0°C (73.4 ±43.6°F) and 50 ±105 percent relative humidity prior to testing.

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 SUBJECT 746C -3- JUNE 24, 2011

54.1.3.1 For flammability and adhesion testing, 5 specimens, of the dimensions noted above are to be
subjected to three cycles of the following:

a) 48 hours in a full-draft circulating air oven operating at 70.0 ±1.02°C (158.0 ±41.8°F),

b) 48 hours at 35.0 ±3.0°C (95.0 ±5.4°F) with 90 ±5 percent relative humidity,

c) 8 hours at 0.0 ±2.0°C (32.0 ±43.6°F),

d) 4 hours of vibration at room temperature [approximately 25°C (75°F)], consisting of simple

harmonic oscillating motion at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the specimen. The simple
harmonic oscillating motion is to be 55 ±5 Hz with the peak deflection adjusted to result in a
1.5g acceleration.

56.1 Hand-supported equipment shall be subjected to the drop impact test. described in (a) and (b).

a) Each of three samples of the equipment is to be dropped through 0.91 m (3 ft) to strike a
hardwood surface in the position most likely to produce adverse results. The hardwood surface
is to consist of a layer of nominal 25 mm (1 inch) tongue-and-groove oak flooring (actual size
18 by 57 mm or 3/4 by 2-1/4 inch) mounted on two layers of nominal 19 mm (3/4 inch)
plywood. The assembly is to rest on a concrete floor or an equivalent nonresilient floor during
the test.
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b) Each sample is to be dropped three times so that, in each drop, the sample strikes the
surface in a position different from those in the other two drops. Three samples shall be
employed for the test; however, if the manufacturer so elects, fewer samples may be used in
accordance with Figure 56.1. The overall performance is acceptable upon completion of any
one of the procedures represented in that figure. If any sample does not comply on its first
series of three drops, the results of the test are unacceptable.

58.1 Using standard test procedures, property values for the material are to be determined both before
and after the conditioning described below:

a) Specimens of the material shall be immersed in distilled or deionized water at 70.0 ±1.02°C
(158.0 ±41.8°F) for 7 days. A complete change of water is to be made on each of the first 5
days. Following the water conditioning, those specimens that are to be subjected to physical-
property tests are to be immersed in distilled or deionized water at 23.0 ±2.0°C (73.4 ±43.6°F)
for 1/2 hour immediately prior to testing. Following the immersions, those specimens to be
subjected to flammability tests are to be conditioned in air at 23.0 ±2.0°C (73.4 ±43.6°F) and 50
±105 percent relative humidity for 2 weeks.

Exception: For materials classed 5VA or 5VB or materials that are evaluated by Enclosure Flammability
– 5 inch Flame Test, Section 52, the specimens shall be immersed in distilled or deionized water at 82
±21°C (180 ±41.8°F) rather than 70 ±12°C.

Copyright © 2011 Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

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 SUBJECT 746C -4- JUNE 24, 2011

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FOR UL INTERNAL REFERENCE OR CSDS USE ONLY –

NOT FOR OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION
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No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 05/29/2012 05:30:08 MDT