UL94 V0 and UL 1581 VW-1

[mark12051981]

I have a box with a PC board inside; I can obtain the UL94 V0 for the PC box, but not for the cable inside.
My supplier advised me that for the cable I can only obtain the UL1581 VW-1. is it comparable to UL94 V0?
I mean, the final system can be declared UL94 V0 compliant at all?
thanks

Mark

 

[mcgyvr]

Per a UL spec
VTM-0 CLASS, VTM-1 CLASS and VTM-2 CLASS MATERIALS are considered to be equivalent to V-0 CLASS, V-1 CLASS and V-2 CLASS MATERIALS,
respectively, but only for their flammability properties. Their electrical and mechanical properties are not necessarily equivalent.

 

[mcgyvr]

I warn you now so you can avoid issues I've seen many times.
If your customer is requiring you to conform to certain specs (I doubt its only that parts must be UL94V0) you better get your hands on that spec and know it front to back. Nothing worse than thinking all you need to do is have V0 parts because they told you that then something else comes up and you need to go back to the drawing board.

It is not unreasonable at all to ask what specs their final product must conform to. Like UL60950 or UL1077 or whatever

 

[mark12051981]

Thanks Mcgyvr,
I will take these informations into the account.
And, what about UL1581 VW-1? is it assimilable to UL94?
thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

UL1581 is just the standard to which that material was tested to.

VW-1 is equivalent to V-1 (as far as flammability goes)
So again technically you do not meet the specs as they were provided to you since they required all parts to be V0.

You need to either let them know so they can read their spec and see if V-1 is acceptable or not. But as it stands they told you "ALL MUST BE V0" and with the current info provided you do not meet that spec.

But there is probably a note in the spec allowing VW-1 for certain components/conditions..or not

For my products which are tested to UL60950 I also must follow the V0 requirement..But am allowed to use VM-1 wire inside the unit provided the enclosure meets the requirements of a fire enclosure..

 

[mcgyvr]

whole point is talk to your customer and let them know about this VM-1 material (how much of it, its length,etc..) and they can easily look at the spec since it seems you don't know it and don't have it and look and let you know if its acceptable.