UL 588 PDF

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover temporary-use, seasonal decorative-lighting products and accessories with a maximum input voltage rating of 120 V to be used in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70. Temporary-use is considered to be a period of installation and use not exceeding 90 days. This Standard also covers factory-assembled parallel-connected string lights intended for year round use as described in Supplement SD.

1.2 These requirements cover factory-assembled seasonal lighting strings with push-in, midget-screw, or miniature-screw lampholders or non-replaceable lamps connected in series for across-the-line use or with candelabra- or intermediate-screw lampholders connected in parallel for direct-connection use. These requirements also cover factory-assembled seasonal decorative outfits such as lanterns, wreaths, stars, light sculptures, crosses, candles or candle sets without lamp shades, products in the shape of, or in resemblance to, Christmas trees with simulated branches and needles, products in the shape of, or in resemblance to, wreaths provided with simulated branches and needles, blow-molded figures or objects, animated figures, tree tops, controllers, tree stands, electric tree poles, and motorized decorative displays. These requirements cover products which are portable and not permanently connected to a power source.

1.3 These requirements additionally cover ornaments which are provided with an adapter for connection to a push-in lampholder and are intended to replace a push-in lamp in a series-connected decorative-lighting string or decorative outfit.

1.4 These requirements do not cover strings employing lampholders larger than intermediate-screw, non-seasonal lighting, non-seasonal products, permanently connected products, non-decorative lighting intended for illumination only, cord sets, or temporary power taps. These requirements also do not cover nightlights which are covered under the Standard for Direct Plug-In Nightlights, UL 1786, or flexible lighting products that are not part of a decorative outfit which are covered under the Standard for Flexible Lighting Products, UL 2388.

1.5 These requirements do not cover portable electric lamps intended for general illumination with a seasonal decoration and a typical lamp shade construction open at the top and bottom, which are covered under the Standard for Portable Electric Luminaires, UL 153.

1.6 Christmas trees exceeding 30 in (762 mm) in height but not exceeding 12 ft (3.7 m) in height, as measured from the top of the tree to the bottom of the base of the tree and provided with simulated branches and needles, products in the shape of, or in resemblance to, a wreath exceeding 48 in (1219 mm) in outer diameter and provided with simulated branches and needles, or other similar seasonal-use decorative outfits shall additionally be investigated to the Outline of Investigation for Fire Tests of Pre-Lit Artificial Seasonal Use Trees and Other Seasonal Decorative Items, UL 2358.

Summary of Topics

This revision of ANSI/UL 588 dated December 5, 2024 includes the following changes in requirements:

– Additional Standard References as Options for LED drivers; 34.1, Appendix A

– Clarification of Requirements in 22.2.1.2 to require the small-scale flame test for series-connected lampholders in 22.2.1.2C; 22.2.1.2, 22.2.1.2B

– Additional Option for Determining Maximum Surface Temperature of Seasonal-Lighting Lamps in SA9.4

– Cord Tag Marking Exception for Temporary Product Requirements for Class 2 LED Lighting Strings; 125.1.2

– Introduction of New Requirements for Button or Coin Cell Batteries in Accordance with UL 4200A; 36A.1, 36A.2

– Add “lanterns” to Scope paragraph 1.2 in order to correlate with Bureau of Philippine Standards adoption of the Standard for Safety for Seasonal and Holiday Lighting, UL 588; 1.2

– Add reference to the Standard for Safety for Decorative Lighting Cords, UL 6288, in 13.2.1

– Correction of Typographical error for CXTW-EX in 13.2.4

– Addition of Cord Connector Option for Commercial Use Lighting Strings; SE2.2, SE3.4, SE4.4A, SE4.5, SE8.1, SE10.3, SE10.4

– Consolidation of Class 2 and Battery-Operated Products; 2.4, 7.1, Table 10.1, 13.2.1, 13.2.10 (deleted), 13.3.1, Section 18 (deleted), Section 18A, 19.1, 19.5, 22.1.1, 22.2.1.7, 33.1, Section 36 (deleted), 121.1 – 121.2, 124.1.2, 125.10 (deleted), 125.10A, 125.11 (deleted), 125.13 (deleted), 125.11A, 129.2.1

– Addition of Caution Marking Class 2 Power Supply Products Connected to Receptacles Controlled by a Dimmer in 125.11A.3