News

UL 2056 added for Power Bank Certification

October 12, 2015 by Jeff Shepard

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced today the launch of its first dedicated testing and certification services for power bank manufacturing industry at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair. Tested to UL 2056, the new program specifically addresses the global gap in safety standards for power banks, safeguarding consumers against bodily harm and property damage, as well as helps protect manufacturers from the risk of expensive recalls and damaged reputations.

The requirements of UL 2056 cover power banks, sometimes also known as portable USB chargers or portable back-up battery power, which are standalone devices that incorporate batteries for mobile powering of low voltage electronic devices. The standard applies to products with their input supplied by dc power source rated maximum 60Vdc and their output providing dc output(s) rated maximum 60Vdc. Some testing items include electrical and mechanical testing to UL 2054, verification testing of the marked input current and marked capacity, testing of power overload of output ports as well as testing of flammability of integral PV cells (where applicable).

"Through the new program, manufacturers can demonstrate their power banks are in compliance of UL's stringent testing requirements and safe for end users. A product carrying a trusted UL Mark will give a confidence to consumers as it means that the sample product has been gone through a series of in-depth evaluations by UL expert engineers," said Barry Yu, general manager for Greater China, UL's Consumer Technology Division.

"UL has been taking the lead in developing safety standards for technology products so as to guide and provide immense value to developer and manufacturers of the entire consumer technology industry, helping get their products to the market efficiently," Yu added.