UL announced the introduction of the Type TL Program, which offers a set of certification guidelines designed to create a more efficient path for manufacturers in developing new LED luminaire products. Through the flexibility of the UL Recognized Component program, LED drivers, an electrical device which regulates power to an LED or string of LEDs, are often designed with varying constructions and are tested in a variety of ways. This approach helps ensure LED drivers are interchangeable in most cases without the need for additional testing. 

UL's Type TL Program creates a set of evaluation and testing guidelines to allow for more standardized LED driver constructions and ratings, offering important benefits, including:

• LED luminaire manufacturers may select LED drivers for new designs that have the desired parameters and limit the level of evaluation of the LED driver during evaluation of the LED luminaire.

• LED luminaire manufacturers may identify a substitute LED driver, while maintaining an equivalent level of safety, with limited or no evaluation of the LED luminaire.

"Our goal is to help manufacturers by providing a more efficient path to market access," said Michael Ritto, business development manager for lighting components.  "With this program in place, LED luminaire manufacturers will be able to more easily source alternate LED drivers."