UL 486E PDF

1 Scope

1.1 This Standard applies to equipment wiring terminals for use with all alloys of copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum conductors, in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, as follows:

1. a) Equipment wiring terminals intended to hold one or more conductor(s);

2. b) Equipment wiring terminals intended for use in appliances and equipment that comply with the requirements for such appliances and equipment;

3. c) Ampere-rated equipment wiring terminals;

4. d) Horsepower rated equipment wiring terminals; and

5. e) Wire range rated equipment wiring terminals.

1.2 These requirements apply to field wired equipment wiring terminals which are an integral part of the equipment, or are intended for use in specific equipment.

1.3 This Standard is intended for equipment wiring terminals suitable for use with conductors in the size ranges as follows:

1. a) Aluminum:

   1. 1) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) and 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid; and

   2. 2) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) to 2 000 kcmil (1 010 mm²) stranded, Class B concentric, compressed, and compact.

2. b) Copper-Clad Aluminum:

   1. 1) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) and 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid; and

   2. 2) 12 AWG (3.3 mm²) to 2 000 kcmil (1 010 mm²) stranded, Class B concentric.

3. c) Copper:

   1. 1) 30 AWG (0.05 mm²) to 10 AWG (5.3 mm²) solid; and

   2. 2) 30 AWG (0.05 mm²) to 2 000 kcmil (1 010 mm²) stranded, Class B concentric and compressed, and Class C concentric.

4. d) Compact-stranded copper conductors for 2 AWG (33.6 mm²) and larger.

5. e) Rigid (solid and stranded) metric wire sizes, Classes 1, 2, 5, and 6, in the range of 0.5 – 1 000 mm², in addition to AWG/kcmil sizes, with AWG/kcmil ratings mandatory and metric wire ratings optional.

6. Note 1: Metric wire sizes are based on the IEC Standard for Conductors of Insulated Cables, IEC 60228.

7. Note 2: For example, an equipment wiring terminal rated for 6 AWG – 250 kcmil may be additionally rated for 16 – 120 mm². See Annex B for example.

8. f) Other class and strand configurations as indicated by marking.

1.4 Equipment wiring terminals covered by this Standard are also suitable for use with conductors that are prepared using ferrules evaluated in accordance with UL 486F, or wire connector adapters evaluated in accordance with UL 486A-486B, under the following conditions:

1. a) Ferrules and adapters are applied in accordance with their ratings and installation instructions.

2. b) The length of exposed conductive material maintains the strip lengths required by the connector manufacturer.

1.5 This Standard is intended for equipment wiring terminals suitable for currents not exceeding the ampacity of insulated conductors rated 75 °C or 90 °C in accordance with the rating of the equipment wiring terminal, if provided.

1.6 This Standard does not apply to:

1. a) Insulated equipment wiring terminals; and

2. b) Wire binding screw terminals.

Summary of Topics

This new Sixth edition of ANSI/UL 486E dated January 31, 2024 includes the following changes in requirements:

– Addition to the Scope to address use of ferrules and adapters; 1.4

– Remove reference to a “Dielectric-Withstand Test”; 8.1.2 and 9.1.6.2

– Clarify that aluminum test conductors can be compact, compressed, or concentric stranding; 7.1.13

– Use of busbar during static heating test; 9.3.1.1

– Time stabilization clarification; 9.2.1 and 9.2.4

– Remove “number of strands” from marking requirement; 10.12

– Sizing and lubricating bushings during secureness test; 9.3.2.1 and Table 9.13

– Corrections to Table 8.3

– Testing with metric and non-standard size conductors; 1.3, 2.1.3, 3.2, 7.1.7, 7.1.10, 8.1.6, 8.1.7, 9.1.5.2, 9.1.5.3, 9.1.5.5, 9.1.5.6, 9.1.9.4, 10.4, 10.7, 10.8, 10.10, 10.26, 10.30, Table 7.5, Table 7.6, Table 8.3, Table 9.1, Table 9.2, Table 7.4, Table 9.3 – Table 9.6, Table 9.8, Table 9.13, Table 9.14, Section B4, and Annex E

– Testing with aluminum wire with AA-8000 alloy conductors; 7.2.2, 7.2.3, 7.3.1, Table 7.4, and Annex A

– Use of shear head bolts; 9.1.9.4, 9.1.9.5 and 9.1.9.6

– Insulating covers during stress corrosion tests; 9.6.1

– Addition of stranding table; 9.1.5.6 and Annex F

– Thermal testing with insulation colors other than black; 9.1.5.8, 9.1.5.9 and 9.1.5.10

– Alternate information means; 10.32