Underwriters Laboratory is the best-known testing laboratory in the united states. This not-for-profit organization sets standards of safety for many electrical devices, and tests products to determine if they comply with those standards. If so, the device is given a U-L label. This means that the product does what it claims to, and that it meets certain minimum requirements. However, the U-L listing is not a measure of quality. Several manufacturers may make the same appliance, and though each may be U-L approved, one brand may work better than the others. U-L does not test on this basis. The national electrical code often mentions U-L standards, for appliances and electrical equipment installed in your home. If certain products are not U-L approved, the installation may not pass inspection. A common example is porch lights, which are usually required to be a U-L listed for wet locations. To find out more about underwriters laboratory, try your local library, or visit their site on the worldwide web.
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