[TheForge] lighting

[Chris Caswell]

I used to work for a custom lighting shop and one of my duties was to be 
"The UL Guy"  UL is incredibly expensive - to send them a fixture to be 
evaluated would be in the range of $2000.00 to $3000.00.  The shop I 
worked for was UL certified, an occasionally we would UL a vintage 
fixture for a customer. We would have to supply the proper UL listed 
parts, wire the fixture, then subject it to very specific tests - strain 
relief, continuity, dielectric. This was possible only if the fixture 
met other critical UL guidelines for materials, wattage, dimensional 
restrictions, etc.
The testing tools alone would a few thousand. And have to be certified 
every year.
What fun.

Chris in 12 degree Vermont
>> Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2015 19:00:47 -0600
>> From: "TheForge" <theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net> (on behalf of JA or CA <jallcorn at suddenlink.net>)
>> Subject: [TheForge] lighting
>> To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> OK guys, I've a question...
>>
>> about lighting, or more appropriately, about light "fixtures".
>>
>> I have come across some potential clients who:
>>
>> 1.  have antique light fixtures (usually quite expensive), generally
>> antique, some dating from the 1700's and 1800's, obviously retrofitted
>> to electricity in some time past but now in need of having it done again.
>>
>> And/or
>>
>> 2.  want me to construct a light fixture of some sort, usually designed
>> by their "designer" (some of these involve gas lighting).
>>
>> Problem is, their electrical contractor(s) won't touch the fixtures
>> unless they carry the UL stamp of approval, certification, etc. ...
>> whatever.
>> Generally, these fixtures are going in multi-million dollar properties,
>> either new builds or renovations, primary dwellings, weekend cabins,
>> etc.  Many of these locations require stringent city code inspections, etc.
>>
>> It goes w/o saying that I don't have the wherewithal to stand a lawsuit
>> or maybe even sleep at all if something happened and the light fixture
>> was found to be non UL compliant and I were to blame.
>>
>> I know that a person can make some fairly substantial money from
>> rewiring or wiring ancient fixtures or electrifying candelabras, etc.
>> I'm not a novice at wiring, having done quite a bit here and there and
>> am comfortable with the task, it is just the liability part that
>> concerns me.  What little I know is that UL certification is quite
>> expensive (but may be cheap in comparison).  What is involved in doing
>> this type work?  So, I know some, all, many, a few of you guys have
>> encountered similar situations.  How did you handle it?  What did you do?
>>
>> James
>> Paris, TX
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