Knowledge base
Common UL flammability cable ratings
AWM (Appliance Wiring Material)
This type of wire is defined by UL 758, and is meant to be used with consumer products in basic connectivity applications, such as connecting a computer to a monitor, or routing a USB cable from a motherboard to the outside of the computer case. AWM wire is not meant to be used in building installations, unless it is within the scope of the installation instructions for a particular product (5). However, there is some overlap in test scenarios between UL 758 and UL 13 (which covers CL2, CL2X, and CL3).
VW-1 (Vertical Wire 1) - ANSI / UL 1581
A measured section of the wire is suspended vertically and a flame source is placed near one end. A paper flag is attached to the other end of the wire. Beneath the wire sample and the flag is a small amount of cotton. The flame is ignited and the wire is burned for 5 cycles, each cycle 15s, with break of 15s-60s. The flames must not travel up the wire in such a way as to burn a significant portion of the paper flag, and none of the paper flag is allowed to drop and ignite the cotton below.
CL2 (Class 2) - ANSI / UL 1685
This is one type of mark that is given to cables that meet the UL 13 "Power-limited Circuit" standard, which is designed to test the safety of cables when they are installed in buildings. CL2 uses a different test methodology than VW-1 that includes both burning and smoke. The test scale is also larger-scale than VW-1, incorporating a tray instead of a single section of wire.
CL2X and CL3
CL2X cables can be used in some, but not all of the same locations as a CL2 cable, and a CL2 cable can be substituted for a CL2X cable but not the other way around. UL categorizes CMG / CM, CL3, and CL2 cables as "General Purpose", and CMX, CL3X, and CL2X as "Dwelling."
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