Effective June 1, 2016

Standard Information
Standard Number:
UL 634
Standard Name:
Connectors and Switches for Use with Burglar-Alarm Systems
Standard Edition and Issue Date:
9th Edition Dated October 12, 2007
Date of Revision:
March 27, 2015
Date of Previous Revisions to Standard:
9th Edition Dated December 31, 2009
 
Effective Date of New/Revised Requirements

Effective Date (see Schedule below): March 27, 2016

 
Impact, Overview, Fees and Action Required

Impact Statement: A review of all Listing Reports is necessary to determine which products comply with new/revised requirements and which products will require re-evaluation. NOTE: Effective immediately, this revised standard will be exclusively used for evaluation of new products unless the Applicant requests in writing that current requirements be used along with their understanding that their listings will be withdrawn on Effective Date noted above, unless the product is found to comply with new/revised requirements.

Overview of Changes: This revision to UL 634 was issued to incorporate updates, revisions and clarifications for magnetically operated switches. Specific details of new/revised requirements are found in table below.

Schedule: So that shipping of products with Listing Marks will not be interrupted, an approximate schedule has been established to ensure Listing Reports are found compliant by Effective Date:

  • August 3, 2015 = 7-8 Month Report Review – Intertek will review all Reports. Update if compliance is verified or issue Findings Letter/Quote for any re-evaluations needed
  • September 25, 2015 = 6 Month Quote Cut-off – Quotes returned for necessary re-evaluations
  • February 26, 2016 = 30 Day Warning – Client advised of all non-compliant Reports to be Suspended
  • March 27, 2016 = Effective Date – ATM Suspended for all non-compliant Reports

Fees: An initial review of Listing Report (s) will be covered by a direct billing project and will be invoiced at not more than $1000 per report.

Client Action Required:

Information - To assist our Engineer with review of your Listing Reports, please submit technical information in response to the new/revised paragraphs noted in the attached or explain why these new/revised requirements do not apply to your product (s).

Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.

 
Description of New/Revised Technical Requirements
ClauseVerdictComment
54InfoCompromise Test – Magnetic Switches (Level 1 and Level 2)
54.1 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below.

A high security magnetic switch shall operate as intended following through three attempts to hold the switch mechanism in its supervisory position by means of wire, thin strips of plastic or metal, or by other means as determined by evaluation of the switch construction, tested with the door in both the open and closed position (simulating both an inside and outside compromise attempt).
54.2 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below.

A portable test magnet is to be positioned next to the installed magnet and switch directly in the space above the drive magnet(s) and in the same orientation as the drive magnet. The door, window, or the like is to then be opened and the portable test magnet either held stationary or moved into a position in an attempt to replace the installed magnet without actuating the switch. For each condition three compromise attempts with a minimum of 15 seconds between attempts shall be conducted. The switch shall perform as intended and to its rating through all attempts. Compromise of the switch is to be attempted while the portable test magnet is:

a) Parallel to the installed magnet or switch on each surface and in the same magnetic polar orientation;

b) Parallel to the installed magnet or switch on each surface and in the reverse polar orientation;

c) In the plane of the door and perpendicular to the installed magnet or switch on each surface;

d) In the plane of the door, perpendicular to the installed magnet or switch on each surface, and in the polar orientation that is the reverse of that used in (c);

e) Perpendicular to the door and to the installed magnet or switch on each surface; and

f) Perpendicular to the door and to the installed magnet or switch on each surface, and in the polar orientation that is the reverse of that used in (e).
54.3 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below.

A magnet pole is to be placed on one end of a flat, magnetically sensitive steel plate, approximately 4 inches (102 mm) long, 2 inches (51 mm) wide, and for each internal drive magnet, sufficiently thin to fit between the door and its frame. The other end of the plate then is to be slid between the switch and the magnet faces, while each attempt is made to slowly open the door. The test is to be repeated with the magnetic poles reversed. This test is to be conducted from the non-protected side of the mounted switch with and without a ferrous mounting plate.

57InfoGeneral (MARKING)
57.2 

New clause added;

Level 1 and Level 2 instructions shall be marked with the following information: maximum current, maximum voltage, maximum power, minimum intended operating gap, maximum intended operating gap, and indication of any special mounting conditions such as “ferrous mount only” or “ingress door only”.
63InfoForeign Magnetic Field Tamper Alarm Test
63.1 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below.

A Level 2 High Security Switch (BMS) shall either function as intended or initiate an alarm or tamper alarm upon attempted substitution of an external magnetic field when the switch is in the normally secure position (closed door). When the external magnetic field does not initiate an alarm or tamper alarm, verify continued proper operation per the Detection Test, Section 58, with the external magnet in place using 10 actuations versus 100. The defeat or compromise magnet(s) test application shall be applied 3 times for each test condition, with a minimum of one minute between test attempts.
64InfoForeign Magnetic Field Compromise Tests (Level 2)
64.1 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined and deletions are shown lined out below.

In addition to conducting the compromise test using the test parameters outlined in 54.2, the compromise test shall be conducted within the gap between the switch assembly and the installed magnets. The test magnets are to range from 1/2 to 2 times the energy product, reference 54.4 and 54.5, and may be loose or affixed to thin strips of plastic and/or metalferrous shunt(s) made of mild steel, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1018 carbon steel (cold or hot rolled), or mild non-hardened common steel having no less than 98.5 iron content. The following additional test conditions shall be applied:

a) The compromise test shall be conducted using the same number of test magnets as contained in the actuator.

b) The installation of the test magnets between the switch and actuator shall be conducted using ferrous and non-ferrous shunts when possible.

c) The magnet specifications for the small magnet thickness (SMT) tests are outlined in Table 64.1.

d) The ferrous shunt dimensions are outlined in Table 64.3.

e) The magnet specifications for the large magnet thickness (LMT) tests are outlined in Table 64.2.

f) The magnet and shunt combinations are outlined in Table 64.4.

g) Up to 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) may be deducted from the maximum operating gap (MOG) thickness to compensate for the magnet placement holder.

h) Magnets shall be used in incremental order from smallest in diameter/thickness to largest in diameter/thickness as incrementally referenced in the corresponding tables.

i) When the BMS is defeated using multiple magnets placed in the gap between the switch assembly and the installed magnets, the additional test parameters using magnets, outlined in 54.2 are not required.

CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: This Table and column "Verdict" can be used in determining how your current or future production is or will be in compliance with new/revised requirements.

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