UL has launched its first dedicated testing and certification services for the 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. Previously power banks were tested to various standards as the standards had not yet caught up with the technology.
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 60 VDC and their output providing DC output(s) rated maximum 60 VDC. 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 flammability testing 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,” says Barry Yu, general manager for the consumer technology division of UL Greater China. “UL has been taking the lead in developing safety standards for technology products so as to guide and provide immense value to developers and manufacturers of the entire consumer technology industry, helping get their products to the market efficiently.”
