4.1.21 – CEPro –
UL has issued a warning related to a specific Cat 5E cable made by Claritronix after discovering the product fails to meet the flammability requirements of UL testing in the United States and Canada.
A warning has been released by global certification company UL related to a cable produced by Claritronix Cabling Solutions named the Type CMR Cable, which has been reported to not meet the flammability requirements of UL safety standards and may cause an increased risk of fire.
Currently, UL recommends that integrators do not use the cable if they have any in stock, and also suggests removing any already installed cables from completed projects. As a result of these warnings, the cable is no longer authorized to bear the UL mark in the United States or Canada.
Dealers should check their inventory on hand in case they purchased this cable. According to UL, the cable had been sold by Ind.-based distributor Summit Source; however, a check of the distributor’s website by CE Pro does not show the cable for sale there any longer. Similarly, no evidence of a website for Claritronix shows up via a Google search, and only one other Claritronix distributor shows up, the Denver-based tool and cable seller Custom Tool Supply. Much like Summit Source, no Claritronix products are currently listed on their website.
It is unclear where Claritronix products are manufactured, as the only mention of the company’s operations in the United States is an AV equipment supplier in North Carolina that Google lists as permanently closed with only two 5-star ratings via Google Reviews.
Regardless, it may be wise for integrators to exclude Claritronix-branded products from current and future installations until an update directly from the company or from UL is provided. At this time no social media platforms appear to be open for communication from the company, so integrators should keep their eyes out for updates via email or keep an eye on PRNewswire for updates.
CE Pro will update this story with any statements or additional information provided by UL or Claritronix.
Andrew is a journalist and educator living in the Providence area. He was previously the Editor-in-Chief of a gaming and tech website, and the Managing Editor of his university newspaper, The Torch. He received his Bachelors in Writing and Masters in Teaching from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
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