UL 153 2025-02 PDF

Full title and description

UL 153 — Portable Electric Luminaires. Standard containing safety, construction, performance, marking and testing requirements for portable luminaires (task and ambient portable lamps), including requirements covering mains‑powered, USB/Power‑over‑Ethernet powered, and battery‑operated portable luminaires (Supplement SA).

Abstract

UL 153 specifies requirements to reduce risks associated with portable electric luminaires (portable lamps) used in household and similar environments. The standard addresses electrical, mechanical, thermal and photobiological safety; cord and connector requirements (including provisions for USB and POE); requirements for LED light sources and associated wiring; marking, instructions and accessory (battery, coin cell) considerations; and test methods for verifying compliance. Recent revisions expanded scope and added requirements specific to battery‑operated and low‑voltage portable luminaires.

General information

• Status: Active
• Publication date: Revision / ANSI approval: February 24, 2025 (Edition 13 originally published March 3, 2014).
• Publisher: Underwriters Laboratories (UL Standards & Engagement)
• ICS / categories: 29.140.40 (Luminaires / Lighting)
• Edition / version: Edition 13 (current, with 2025 revision)
• Number of pages: Approx. 280 pages (PDF edition; page count may vary by format).

Scope

Requirements cover portable luminaires and subassemblies whose primary function is task or ambient illumination. Included are luminaires intended for connection to nominal branch circuits, luminaires receiving power via USB or Power‑over‑Ethernet, and (via Supplement SA) portable luminaires intended to operate from integral single‑use or rechargeable batteries. Exclusions include products covered by other UL standards (e.g., electric signs, seasonal/holiday decorative products, luminaires for hazardous locations, certain flashlights and nightlights) as specified in the standard.

Key topics and requirements

• Electrical safety tests and construction requirements for mains‑powered portable luminaires.
• Provisions for USB and Power‑over‑Ethernet power inputs (clarified power‑supply requirements).
• Supplement SA: requirements and photobiological safety assessment for battery‑operated portable luminaires.
• Updated requirements for LED‑only portable luminaires, including allowances and tests for smaller gauge (smaller than 18 AWG) power cords and internal wiring.
• Marking, instructions and labelling updates (including QR code alternative for manuals and revised marking language).
• Specific requirements for convenience receptacles, cord sizes, receptacle loads and button/coin cell battery provisions.
• Referenced compliance for integral LED components to UL 8750 and cross‑references to other UL standards for related products.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers and designers of portable lamps and luminaires, compliance and safety engineers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, product managers, procurement and retail compliance teams, and regulators. Useful for product development, conformity assessment, certification preparation, and regulatory compliance checks for portable lighting products.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside or within UL 153 include UL 8750 (LED equipment for use in lighting products), UL 588 (Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products), UL 1576 (Flashlights and Lanterns), UL 1598 (Luminaires), UL 48 (Electric Signs), UL 1786 (Direct Plug‑In Nightlights) and other UL standards covering batteries, cord sets and components cited in UL 153.

Keywords

portable luminaires, portable lamps, UL 153, LED luminaires, battery‑operated lamps, USB powered lamps, POE, QR code manual, photobiological safety, cord gauge, coin cell, marking, testing, certification

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UL 153 is the Underwriters Laboratories safety standard for Portable Electric Luminaires (portable lamps), defining construction, performance, marking and test requirements to reduce electrical, fire, mechanical and photobiological hazards.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers portable luminaires intended for task or ambient illumination powered from branch circuits, USB/POE interfaces, and — via Supplement SA — luminaires powered solely from integral batteries. It excludes product types specifically covered by other UL standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Lamp and luminaire manufacturers, design and compliance engineers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, retailers and regulators involved with portable lighting products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current. Edition 13 is the active edition with a revision and ANSI approval dated February 24, 2025 (the edition was originally published in 2014 and has received subsequent revisions through 2025).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — UL 153 references and is cross‑referenced with multiple UL standards (for LEDs, batteries, cord sets, decorative products, flashlights, etc.) and includes Supplement SA for battery‑operated portable luminaires. It is maintained within UL’s standards development process with redline revisions and CSDS proposals.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Portable luminaires, LED, battery‑operated, USB, POE, photobiological, cord gauge, QR code, UL 8750, marking, testing.