There’s a lot that goes into electronics. It’s not as simple as that potato powered clock you made in third grade. One of the most common questions I get about understanding electronics is about standards. Often times, you see stamps on various electrical components, such as VDE, UL, and C-UL. What do these standards mean? And what can they tell us about these electronics? And what is tri-approval?
We’ll start with an explanation for each. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, which issues safety standards for different products. It is commonly viewed as the North American standard. Founded in 1884, the UL strives to promote safe work and home environments and to support the implementation of products that have guaranteed safety. C-UL denotes the Canadian listing program implemented by UL. C-UL is most commonly understood as the certification mark for Canada. VDE is also known as the Association for Electrical, Electronic, and Information Technologies, and is based in Germany. However, VDE is seen as the international standard. The DKE is the standards division of the VDE, whose aim is to foster standards to ensure global safety and the promotion of technological usage.
All three associations are responsible for creating safety standards for electronic products. Each association has their own tests that they perform to ensure that products are in tip top shape. In other words, if you see these three little marks on your plug, you know three different associations have tried and tested that little guy to make sure you’re getting the safest products out there!
The tri-approval also guarantees both domestic and international use. Quail Electronics is the only producer of these tri-approval power cords, making us the only ones to make a universal power cord. That’s right, these power cords will work anywhere in the universe*! While other companies may claim to have universal power cords, often times they will only denote the UL approval. To be truly universal, you must have all three approvals, and so far Quail Electronics is the only one to do so!
When you see the triple approval, you have hit the triple trifecta! Your little plug has been approved by three different parties! Our 3500 series boasts this triple trifecta, making them perfect for universal use. The 3500 series includes colored cords and the amazing Auto-Lock. Options are plentiful for those searching in the 3500 series, making it easy to find the perfect cord.
*Unless other life forms have inhabited the planets and outfitted these planets with another form of electricity.
By Clark Cable:
Few know that Clark is a triplet himself, which only fueled his desire to develop the first universal tri-approval power cord. When Clark is looking for approval, whether about his personal life or work life, he will often go to his triplets, Electra Onix, and Volt E. Mort. Electra works as an electrician in Tampa and frequently harnesses lightning to power her home. After dabbling in dark circuitry, Volt E. Mort redeemed himself as a prominent electrical consultant.
Few know that Clark is a triplet himself, which only fueled his desire to develop the first universal tri-approval power cord. When Clark is looking for approval, whether about his personal life or work life, he will often go to his triplets, Electra Onix, and Volt E. Mort. Electra works as an electrician in Tampa and frequently harnesses lightning to power her home. After dabbling in dark circuitry, Volt E. Mort redeemed himself as a prominent electrical consultant.