1.1 These requirements cover all electric signs, art forms and outline lighting for use in accordance with
the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.
1.2 Electric signs include all signs (regardless of voltage) that are electrically operated and/or electrically
illuminated, including but not limited to the following methods of illumination: incandescent, fluorescent,
high intensity discharge (HID), electric discharge tubing including neon tubing, light-emitting diode (LED),
skeleton neon tubing, cold-cathode lamps, and electroluminescence. Unless otherwise noted the term
?sign? includes signs, outline lighting, art forms, and skeleton neon tubing.
1.3 Electric signs covered by these requirements also include, but are not limited to, awning signs,
trailer-mounted signs, electrically or mechanically animated signs, signs supplied by photovoltaic systems
and other independent power sources, changing message signs, including scrolling, flipper, tri-view, liquid
crystal display (LCD), and light-emitting diode (LED) type and other electrically operated signs that are not
necessarily illuminated.
1.4 These requirements do not cover the following:
a) Illuminated clocks operating at 600 V or less; refer to the Standard for Household Electric
Clocks, UL 826 or for commercial use clocks to the Standard for Time-Indicating and
-Recording Appliances, UL 863;
b) Exit signs; refer to the Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment, UL 924;
c) The trailer of a trailer mounted sign;
d) Luminaires mounted to function as outline lighting; refer to the Standard for Luminaires, UL
1598;
e) Luminaires mounted within an Awning Sign; refer to Standard for Luminaires, UL 1598;
f) Signs that do not use electricity;
g) Luminaires intended for billboard illumination; refer to Standard for Luminaires, UL 1598;
h) Fiber optics or Fiber optic Illuminators;
i) Signs for use in hazardous (classified) locations as defined in the National Electrical Code,
NFPA 70.
UL 48 BULLETIN-2011 history
1970UL 48-2022 UL Standard for Safety for Electric Signs
2018UL 48 BULLETIN-2018 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs (COMMENTS DUE: AUGUST 13@ 2018)
2017UL 48 BULLETIN-2017 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs (COMMENTS DUE: October 23@ 2017)
2015UL 48 CRD-2015 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs - Section / Paragraph Reference: 2.65.1@ 4.4.6.1.1@ 4.4.6.1.6@ 7.7.2@ and 8.2.2 Subject: Rough-In Sign Sections (Edition 15: September 02@ 2011)
2014UL 48 BULLETIN-2014 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs (COMMENTS DUE: SEPTEMBER 8@ 2014)
2013UL 48 CRD-2013 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs - Section / Paragraph Reference: (New) 4.4.12 Subject: Photovoltaic Electric Signs (Edition 15: September 02@ 2011)
2012UL 48 CRD-2012 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs - Section / Paragraph Reference: Par 4.1.3.2.3.9 Subject: Use of Screens or Mesh Over Drain Openings in Signs (Edition 15: September 02@ 2011)
2012UL 48 BULLETIN-2012 UL Standard for Safety Electric Signs (COMMENTS DUE: JANUARY 23@ 2013)