An Industry First: UL-Certified Class 4 Digital Electricity™ Cables from Belden

Rhea-AI Summary

Belden Inc., a global leader in specialty networking solutions, has achieved the industry's first UL Class 4 certification for its Digital Electricity (DE) Cables. This new standard enhances safety and efficiency in fault-managed power systems, enabling users to deliver significantly more power over long distances compared to traditional methods. DE Cables provide a competitive alternative to AC power while ensuring safety through automatic shutoff mechanisms during fault events. The certification supports NEC's upcoming regulations, marking a significant advancement for the industry.

Positive

• First company to achieve UL Class 4 certification for Digital Electricity Cables, enhancing market position.
• DE Cables offer up to 20 times the power of Power over Ethernet, improving efficiency in power delivery.
• Safety features include automatic shutoff during fault events, potentially reducing liability.

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• None.

UL-Certified Class 4 Digital Electricity (DE) Cables allow end users to take advantage of DE to safely provide significant power across long distances

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Belden, a leading global supplier of specialty networking solutions, is proud to announce that its Digital Electricity (DE) Cables received the industry’s first Class 4 certification from UL. As buildings become more intelligent, Digital Electricity Cables can support safe and efficient emerging digital power technologies.

Class 4 is a new classification standard dedicated to fault-managed power systems. These systems offer the convenience and safety of low-voltage power, like Power over Ethernet (PoE), which offers up to 100W. Class 4 offers close to 20 times the power of PoE over hundreds of meters, offering a safe alternative to AC.

Fault-managed power systems are also referred to as packet energy transfer (PET), DE, pulsed power or smart transfer systems. They offer a cost-effective alternative to AC power and provide power and data in a single run, saving valuable installation time. Similar to PoE, DE Cables can be installed by the same low-voltage integrators that install Category cabling. DE Cables are a great complement to PoE applications, powering PoE switches that power devices like lighting, wireless access points and small cells using standard Ethernet connections.

Class 4 systems are designed with safety at the forefront. Instead of limiting power source output, they limit energy and power available during a fault event. If someone accidentally touches exposed wires or splashes water onto circuits during operation, the system immediately and automatically shuts off before causing harm. To limit fault energy, a transmitter and receiver monitor for faults and control power delivery. This technology makes Class 4 systems just as safe—if not safer—than Class 2 and Class 3 systems.

National Electrical Code (NEC) Code-Making Panel 3 has proposed New Article 726, Class 4 (CL4) Power Systems, in the 2023 edition of the standard, which has an expected publication date of October 2022.

To support NEC New Article 726, UL recently published UL 1400-2, an Outline of Investigation that encompasses cable requirements for fault-managed power systems, including Digital Electricity. As the industry’s first UL-certified Class 4 cabling, Belden’s DE Cables allow end users to take advantage of Digital Electricity to safely deliver significant power across long distances using small conductors.

“We’re proud to help create and support standards around the safe application of fault-managed power systems,” says Roy Kusuma, product engineering manager at Belden. “It will become necessary to operate these systems with a Class 4 Listed cable that complies with UL 1400-2, and Belden is the first to offer a portfolio of UL-certified Class 4 cabling.”

Belden’s DE Cables were designed in conjunction with VoltServer, the creator of Digital Electricity, to ensure that they can support many types of applications. DE Cables are available in copper-only and hybrid copper/fiber constructions to transmit power and data over long distances in a single cable run.

To learn more about Digital Electricity Cables, visit www.belden.com.

About Belden

Belden Inc. delivers a comprehensive product portfolio designed to meet the mission-critical network infrastructure needs of industrial and enterprise markets. With innovative solutions targeted at reliable and secure transmission of rapidly growing amounts of data, audio and video needed for today's applications, Belden is at the center of the global transformation to a connected world. Founded in 1902, the company is headquartered in St. Louis and has manufacturing capabilities in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit us at www.belden.com; follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Belden, the Belden logo, Hirschmann, ProSoft, FiberExpress, and GREYHOUND are trademarks or registered trademarks of Belden Inc. or its affiliated companies in the United States and other jurisdictions. Belden and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used herein.

*Digital Electricity is a trademark of VoltServer. For more information about Digital Electricity, visit voltserver.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220428005070/en/

Lisa Williams

Marketing Communications Manager

(317) 815-2402

Lisa.Williams@Belden.com

Source: Belden Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Belden's UL Class 4 certification for Digital Electricity Cables?

Belden's UL Class 4 certification is significant as it allows for safe and efficient delivery of high power across long distances, setting a new industry standard.

How does Digital Electricity compare to traditional AC power systems?

Digital Electricity systems provide a safer and more efficient alternative to AC power, with the ability to deliver significantly higher power over longer distances.

When is the new NEC Class 4 power systems regulation expected to be published?

The new NEC Class 4 power systems regulation is expected to be published in October 2022.

What advantages do DE Cables offer for installation?

DE Cables offer a cost-effective solution by combining power and data delivery in a single run, saving installation time and resources.

Who collaborated with Belden on the development of Digital Electricity Cables?

Belden developed Digital Electricity Cables in collaboration with VoltServer, the creator of Digital Electricity.