Safety certifications play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and compliance of electronic and industrial equipment. Two widely referenced safety standards, UL 61010 and UL 62368, serve different applications and industries, but their distinctions are often misunderstood. In this technical insight blog, we’ll break down the key differences between these two standards, their impact on product compliance, and how Premio ensures adherence to UL certifications.
The Importance of UL Certification in Industrial Computing
Achieving UL certification ensures that industrial computing solutions meet stringent safety standards. UL testing procedures involve evaluating products for electrical safety, fire hazards, and mechanical durability. By adhering to these rigorous standards, manufacturers like Premio provide robust computing solutions that ensure operational safety and reliability in harsh industrial environments.
Overview of UL 61010 and UL 62368
UL 61010: Safety Standard for Laboratory, Measurement, and Control Equipment
UL 61010 (based on IEC 61010) is designed for electrical equipment used in laboratories, industrial control systems, and measurement applications. This standard ensures that instruments, test equipment, and control devices meet strict safety requirements for shock, fire, and mechanical hazards.
The testing methods for UL 61010 involve:
- Dielectric Strength Testing – Ensuring insulation integrity to prevent electrical shocks.
- Leakage Current Testing – Measuring unwanted currents that may pose safety risks.
- Temperature and Thermal Testing – Evaluating heat dissipation and fire hazards.
- Mechanical Strength Testing – Assessing enclosures and components for durability under industrial conditions.
UL 62368: Safety Standard for Audio, Video, IT, and Communication Equipment
UL 62368 (based on IEC 62368) replaces the older UL 60950 and UL 60065 standards, covering a broad range of computing and networking products – Servers, PCs, routers, notebook/laptop computers, tablets and their power supplies. Unlike prescriptive standards, UL 62368 follows a hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) approach, focusing on identifying and mitigating energy sources that pose risks to users.
The testing methods for UL 62368 include:
- Energy Source Classification – Identifying energy levels (electrical, thermal, mechanical) and their potential harm.
- Safeguard Effectiveness Testing – Evaluating protections such as insulation, grounding, and component separation.
- Thermal and Fire Risk Assessment – Testing for overheating, ignition, and flame propagation.
- Abnormal Condition Testing – Simulating faults to ensure continued safety compliance.
Key Differences Between UL 61010 and UL 62368
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UL 61010 |
UL 62368 |
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Application Scope |
Laboratory, industrial control, and test/measurement equipment |
Audio, video, IT, and communication technology |
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Approach |
Prescriptive: Defines strict construction requirements |
Hazard-based: Focuses on risk mitigation and energy classification |
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Primary Hazards Covered |
Electrical shock, mechanical, thermal, and fire hazards |
Electrical shock, fire, and thermal hazards based on energy sources |
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Targeted Equipment |
Power supplies, industrial control panels, test & measurement devices, lab instruments |
Servers, computers, telecom equipment, AV systems |
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Transition from Older Standards |
Derived from IEC 61010 series |
Merges and replaces UL 60950 (IT) & UL 60065 (AV) |
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Risk Assessment Focus |
Compliance based on fixed design requirements |
Evaluates energy sources and required safeguards |
Premio Products with UL 61010 and UL 62368 Certifications
Premio designs and manufactures rugged industrial and edge computing solutions that comply with industry safety standards. Below are the Premio products that align with UL 61010 and UL 62368 certifications:
UL 61010 Certified Products:
- BCO-500 Series – Rugged fanless industrial computers designed for automation and control applications.
- DCO-1000 Series – Compact industrial computers optimized for data acquisition and measurement systems.
UL 62368 Certified Products:
All flagship Premio products, including the RCO Series, JCO Series, and VCO Series, adhere to UL 62368, ensuring compliance for industrial AI, edge computing, and embedded system applications.
Choosing the Right Standard for Compliance
For manufacturers, determining whether a product falls under UL 61010 or UL 62368 depends on the intended application and function:
- If the product is designed for laboratory, industrial control, or test/measurement environments, UL 61010 is the appropriate certification.
- If the product belongs to computing and networking products such as servers, PCs, routers, notebook/laptop computers, tablets, and their power supplies, UL 62368 is the preferred standard due to its risk-based approach.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the differences between UL 61010 and UL 62368 is essential for product developers, compliance engineers, and manufacturers to ensure proper certification and market access. While UL 61010 is application-specific with prescriptive guidelines, UL 62368 employs a hazard-based approach for evolving technology products. Identifying the right standard early in the design process helps streamline compliance, reduce costs, and improve product safety.
For organizations designing edge computing, AI-driven, or industrial automation solutions, staying informed on compliance standards like UL 61010 and UL 62368 ensures seamless integration into global markets while maintaining the highest safety levels.