In the electrical manufacturing industry, device protection and grounding connection requirements are used to distinguish the types of electrical appliances, considering the insulation systems of the products. It specifies measures to prevent hazardous contact voltages from non-electrified parts of electronic devices. According to these measures, they can be divided into four classes: Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Class I rating refers to the protection against electric shock relying not only on basic insulation but also on grounding.
Class I led lamps have basic insulation and must include protective grounding connections to reduce the risk of electric shock. Their safety is achieved by using basic insulation and providing a method of connecting to a protective grounding conductor within the building, routing those conductive components, otherwise, if the basic insulation fails, these conductive components would be able to generate hazardous voltages to the earth. This means that Class I led lamps will provide terminals/pins for grounding connections.
Class II refers to the safety level against electric shock. Electrical appliances labeled Class II indicate that protection against electric shock relies not only on basic insulation but also on additional safety measures (such as double insulation or reinforced insulation), without the need for grounding or reliance on installation conditions for protection measures. This means that Class II LED lamps do not have terminals/pins for grounding connections.
Class III rating indicates that protection against electric shock relies on a safe extra-low voltage (SELV) power supply, and no hazardous voltages are present within it.
These classifications are specified by UL, and LED drivers with UL certification undergo rigorous testing to ensure the highest quality and performance standards in the industry. Class 1 and Class 2 come from the UL 1310 standard. UL 1310 (NEC Class 2 power supply) is a product safety standard designed to ensure human safety by reducing the likelihood of hazardous situations.
Class 1 LED drivers have high-voltage outputs and require safety protection inside the luminaire. This type of driver is ideal for those looking to achieve energy efficiency and cost savings in large to medium-sized projects. Additionally, they are suitable for industrial applications that require long-term continuous lighting.
Class 2 LED drivers comply with the UL 1310 standard, meaning their outputs are considered safe to touch, and LED luminaires do not require significant safety protection. Class 2 products have electronic circuits with current and power lower than the limits specified in the UL 1310 table. In dry applications, their operating voltage is below 60 volts, and in wet applications, it is 30 volts, with current below 5 amperes and power below 100 watts. As a result, the risk of fire is greatly reduced, and the safety distance and combustibility rating of components can also be significantly lowered.
The UL 1310 standard for Class 2 power supplies applies to power sources with limited output current and output voltage ranges. Class 2 standards are specified in the UL standard number UL 1310.
Class 1 material is a classification designated by the Resistance Welding Manufacturers' Alliance (RWMA). RWMA is an organization composed of leading manufacturers of resistance welding equipment and materials, aimed at promoting the use of resistance welding and providing technical expertise. In the field of resistance welding, Class 1 materials are typically used for welding aluminum and other conductors that require high welding currents, such as brass and bronze. These materials are specifically designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressures involved in the resistance welding process, ensuring efficient and reliable connections of metal components.
Class 2 materials are commonly used as welding rods for welding bare steel and coated steel. These materials have good thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, allowing them to effectively transfer heat and current during the resistance welding process, resulting in high-quality welded connections. During the welding process, Class 2 materials can provide stable welding performance, ensuring the strength and reliability of the welds.
In electrical equipment standards, there is no direct correspondence between Class I, Class II, and Class III and Class 1 and Class 2. Electrical equipment typically has two standards, namely Classes I/II/III and 1/2. led lighting on the market may comply with Class II standards, but this does not necessarily mean they meet the standards of Class 2 led drivers. However, led lighting that obtain Class II certification must be equipped with Class II led drivers. Similarly, led lighting with Class II led drivers do not necessarily have Class II certification. Therefore, when choosing led products, it is necessary to check whether there are two layers of insulation material or reinforced insulation between the live components of the product and the user to ensure safety. Through the above explanation, I believe you have a clearer understanding of Classes I/II/III and 1/2, and I hope this will help you find led products that meet your needs. If you would like to learn more, please contact Kinlights