Leviton Catalog - Womack Electric Supply Company

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONEuropean Agencies: IEC and CEEThe IECThe IEC is the International Electrotechnical Commission. Formed in 1906, it is a worldwide organization primarily involved inthe international standardization of electrical standards and equipment. As of 1994, 48 countries are represented in the IEC.IEC member countries produce and consume the majority of the world’s electrical energy. They also manufacture and use themajority of the world’s electrical products.The IEC works towards standardization of the following areas:■ Universal technical language; including definitions, and electrical symbols■ Systems for ratings, testing requirements and methods of testing■ Electrical system characteristics; including voltages, frequencies and tolerances■ Dimensional requirements and tolerances■ Universal electrical safety requirementsThe CEEThe CEE is the European Electrotechnical Committee. The CEE works on safety standards, definitions for conformity and certificationsfor electrical equipment. Cooperation between the CEE and the IEC has led to worldwide publications for standards pertaining toelectrical equipment.Certification Agencies and MarkingsCertification marks indicate that a product has been tested to the requirements of a specific certification agency. In some cases,a manufacturer chooses to identify a product in a particular way even though no outside certification agency is involved (e.g.Specification Grade). The following table illustrates the variety of certification markings typically used for 15A and 20A StraightBlade Receptacles. Understanding these marks permits the user or specifier to make meaningful product selections.Typical Product Certification Marks — 15 & 20 Amp Straight Blade Receptacles. Products with these markings must meet the specific testingstandards indicated.CSA, UL 498 CSA, C22.2, DESCCertification Mark UL498 C22.2, Hospital No. 42M, W-C-596F Certification AgencyNo. 42M Grade Hosp. GradeSpec Grade* No Product Testing Required — Manufacturer’s Term Only Manufacturer OnlyXXUnderwriters Laboratories Inc.Recognized Componentfor OEM use.Underwriters Laboratories Inc.Technical InformationXCanadian StandardsAssociation•Hospital Grade•Hospital GradeF SFed. SpecX X Underwriters Laboratories Inc.Canadian StandardsX X AssociationX XUnderwriters Laboratories Inc.and Defense Electronic SupplyCenterFSFed. Spec•Hospital GradeX X XUnderwriters Laboratories Inc.and Defense Electronic SupplyCenter*Includes variations such as Industrial Spec. Grade, Premium Spec. Grade, etc.Cross ReferencesThe cross reference guides supplied by some manufacturers are convenient for determining compatible devices by rating and configuration.However, these cross reference guides are not official confirmation of compliance to any standard or testing criteria. Thiscan only be determined by the certification marks which verifies that a product has been tested to the specific requirements of acertification agency. Also note that common catalog numbers are often used by different manufacturers for selection convenience.This is done solely at the discretion of the manufacturer and in no way implies compliance to any standard or testing criteria.For answers to technical questions, call Leviton’s Techline at 1-800-824-3005V5