What is UL 60335-2-372?

UL 60335-2-372 is a technical standard that sets out safety requirements for battery-powered industrial trucks, tractors, and similar equipment used for material handling operations. This standard focuses on the potential hazards associated with these types of equipment and provides guidelines to ensure their safe operation.

The Scope of UL 60335-2-372

The scope of UL 60335-2-372 extends to electrically-powered industrial trucks, such as counterbalanced trucks, reach trucks, order picking trucks, and more. It covers a wide range of equipment used for lifting, stacking, towing, and transporting goods. The standard applies to both indoor and outdoor operations and includes various types of batteries, such as lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion.

Safety Requirements

UL 60335-2-372 specifies several safety requirements to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries during the use of battery-powered industrial trucks. Some of the key requirements include:

1. Protection against electrical hazards: The standard ensures that electrical components are designed and constructed to prevent electric shock.

2. Overheating prevention: The standard addresses the risk of overheating by defining appropriate cooling measures and temperature monitoring systems.

3. Fire prevention: UL 60335-2-372 emphasizes fire safety by setting out guidelines related to insulation, flammability, and protection against ignition sources.

4. Mechanical stability: The standard requires that industrial trucks are stable during operation and specifies testing methods to verify their stability.

Compliance and Certification

To ensure compliance with UL 60335-2-372, manufacturers of battery-powered industrial trucks must undergo rigorous testing and evaluation. Once a product meets all the requirements specified in the standard, it can be certified and marked with the UL certification mark, indicating its compliance with safety regulations. Regular inspections and audits may be conducted to maintain certification and ensure ongoing compliance.