Neotek and Underwriters Laboratories 

Many people ask why Neotek isn’t listed under UL-IFAY “Electric Discharge Lighting Systems, Cold Cathode”.  The answer is that we don’t want this listing. 
To find out why check the IFAY Guide info click here. 

First, you must use “ferrule type lamp holders”, which are the porcelain sockets used by most cold cathode companies to hold the lamps.  Neotek’s new fixtures do not need them nor do we want them because of heat buildup on the electrodes. 

Second, and most important, under “Installation” the first sentence states “provided as a system of parts that are field installed”.  This means you receive a box of parts to put together.  Neotek provides you an assembled cold cathode fixture ready to install and use.  

The next paragraph reads “The Listing of a lighting system does not constitute approval of the design which is the responsibility of the manufacturer and the Authority Having Jurisdiction nor approval of the installation.”  This means the component parts are UL Listed, but the system design and installation is not listed.  The Neotek cold cathode fixture has been fully tested, including the lamp, and approved by UL as a complete system. 

Moving on to the “Requirements” section, you will note all cold cathode lighting uses Standard UL48 “Electric Signs”. This standard includes all electric discharge lighting such as neon and cold cathode systems. 

Since the Neotek cold cathode fixtures are UL listed as factory assembled, we are listed under UL-UXYT and are not under “field assembled” like IFAY systems.  This saves the customers a large amount of labor cost on the job because you only have to install the fixtures.  With UL-IFAY, the systems have to be assembled, meaning you have to carefully set the sockets, plug the tubes in, and run high voltage wires to remote transformers which have to have accessibility.  It takes approximately one-third the time to install the Neotek system than a standard cold cathode system. 

Once you study the categories, you will find the Neotek Fixture is the first cold cathode system fully tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. for safety.  Also note that since the Neotek fixture is under 1,000 volts, it not only passed all UL48 Standards (Signs), but also UL 1598 Standards (luminaries).  Since the wires are running thru the fixtures, it was also tested under UL5 Standard for Metal Raceways. 

We believe the more you understand, the more you will specify Neotek Fixture cold cathode systems.