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UL 1310 vs UL 62368-1: Which Standard Applies to Your Power Adapter?

If you sell power adapters into the United States, the two safety standards you will encounter most often are UL 1310 (Class 2 Power Units) and UL 62368-1 (Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment). Both are commonly referenced in adapter listings, yet they cover different product classes, different construction requirements, and different certification paths. Choosing the wrong one — or assuming a listing under one covers the other — causes customs delays, failed audits, and expensive redesigns.

This guide explains what each standard actually covers, where they overlap, and — most importantly — how to decide which one applies to your product. It ends with a decision table you can use in your next project review.

What UL 1310 Covers — Class 2 Power Units

UL 1310 is the standard for Class 2 power units — the small power supplies that fall under the National Electrical Code (NEC) Class 2 power-limiting concept. The defining feature of a Class 2 power unit is that its output is inherently limited in power and current, so the wiring on the load side is not required to comply with the more restrictive wiring methods of higher-power circuits.

Key characteristics of UL 1310 scope:

Output power is limited (the Class 2 limits defined in the NEC — in practice, most listed units are well below 100W, typically 5W–60W for wall-plug adapters)
Output is considered safe for direct connection to limited-power circuits
Commonly applies to wall plug adapters, low-power desktop adapters, and chargers for consumer/ITE equipment
Construction requirements focus on insulation, enclosure, temperature, and the power-limiting means
Often paired with a Class 2 marking on the product label

It is important to note that UL 1310 is not the only low-power option: some adapters are listed under UL 62368-1 with a Limited Power Source (LPS) output classification, which achieves a similar wiring-simplification benefit. The two are related but the evaluation frameworks differ.

Why This Matters

▸ UL 1310 scope is tied to Class 2 power limits — not every low-wattage adapter qualifies automatically

▸ A UL 1310 listing requires the product to be evaluated as a Class 2 power unit, including the power-limiting means

▸ If your adapter is above Class 2 power limits, UL 1310 is the wrong standard

What UL 62368-1 Covers — ITE and AV Equipment Safety

UL 62368-1 is the modern hazard-based safety standard for information technology equipment (ITE), audio/video equipment, and communication equipment. It replaced the earlier pair of standards UL 60950-1 (ITE) and UL 60065 (AV) and uses a hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) approach: identify energy sources, safeguard against them, and instruct users where safeguarding is not possible.

Key characteristics of UL 62368-1 scope:

Applies to the equipment itself (the end product), and the power supply is evaluated as a component or as part of the equipment
Covers a wide power range — from small adapters to large equipment power supplies
Output classifications include Limited Power Source (LPS), which provides simplified wiring requirements similar in intent to Class 2
Emphasizes safeguarding against electric shock, fire, mechanical, thermal, and radiation hazards
Applies to AC-DC adapters used with ITE/AV equipment and, increasingly, to industrial equipment through derivative standards

For a power adapter manufacturer, a UL 62368-1 listing demonstrates compliance with the current safety framework for the equipment your adapter will power. The standard is also the basis for the Canadian (CSA) and international (IEC) equivalents — IEC 62368-1 / EN 62368-1 — which simplifies multi-market certification.

Why This Matters

▸ UL 62368-1 is the current safety framework for the broadest category of powered equipment

▸ An LPS-classified output under 62368-1 gives your customer the wiring simplification they often expect from Class 2

▸ Certification under 62368-1 aligns with IEC/EN versions, easing global rollout

The Practical Differences at a Glance

Aspect	UL 1310 (Class 2 Power Units)	UL 62368-1 (ITE/AV Equipment)
Primary scope	Class 2 power units (limited-power output)	ITE/AV/communication equipment + components
Output power	Limited by Class 2 (NEC) limits — typically ≤60W in common adapter form factors	No inherent power ceiling; LPS classification available for low-power outputs
Evaluation approach	Power-limiting unit evaluation	Hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE)
Typical products	Wall plug adapters 5W–60W, low-power chargers	Desktop adapters across the power range, ITE/AV power supplies
Wiring simplification	Class 2 marking per NEC	LPS classification (similar intent)
Interchangeability	Not interchangeable with 62368-1 listings	Not interchangeable with UL 1310 listings
Related international standards	UL 1310 is US-specific (Canadian equivalent CSA C22.2 No. 223)	IEC/EN 62368-1 — global

The critical practical point: the two standards are not interchangeable. A product listed to one is not considered listed to the other. Your product’s listing depends on the scope under which it was evaluated — and on the certification marks your target customers require.

Certification Timelines and Cost (YHYadapter Operating Experience)

For project planning, use these verified operating values for UL certification from YHYadapter’s experience (2026-08-23 MASTER ruling):

Item	Value
UL 62368-1 certification (incl. FCC testing)	$8,000–$18,000 · 8–14 weeks
UL 1310 (Class 2) evaluation	Typically shorter/smaller scope than full ITE equipment; confirm with the NRTL lab for the specific model

Certification availability depends on product model, application requirements and destination market. The timeline above is typical operating data, not a quote — request a lab quote for your exact configuration.

Why This Matters

▸ Certification timeline belongs on the critical path of every US-market launch

▸ The same model may need different evaluations depending on how it is classified and marketed

▸ Budget for the specific standard your product falls under — not a generic “UL” line item

Decision Table — Which Standard Applies to Your Product?

Use this table as your first-pass decision tool. Final classification should always be confirmed with your certification engineer and the NRTL lab, because intended use and product construction can change the classification.

Your product	Output characteristics	Likely standard	Notes
Wall plug adapter, 5W–60W, powering consumer/ITE device	Class 2 power-limited	UL 1310 (or UL 62368-1 with LPS)	Either can work; check what your customer’s system requires
Desktop adapter, 12W–300W, powering ITE/AV equipment	Above Class 2 limits at higher power	UL 62368-1	Higher-power adapters typically evaluated to 62368-1
Adapter sold as a component into an ITE/AV end product	Varies	UL 62368-1 (component)	The end-product standard governs; adapter listing supports it
Medical device power adapter	Varies	IEC 60601-1 (medical equipment standard)	Medical is a different framework — see the B2 comparison article
LED driver / lighting power supply	Varies	UL 8750 / UL 1310 (Class 2) depending on configuration	Lighting has its own standard family; UL 1310 Class 2 is common for low-power LED supplies
Charger for battery-powered products	Limited-power output	UL 1310 (Class 2) or UL 62368-1 (LPS)	Depends on the charger classification and end-product standard

Rule of thumb: if your adapter is a general-purpose wall plug unit under Class 2 power limits, UL 1310 is the traditional path. If your adapter spans higher power, feeds ITE/AV equipment, or must align with a global 62368-1 strategy, UL 62368-1 is the standard to plan around. When in doubt, ask the lab — and ask your customer which listing they require, because in B2B sales the customer’s specification often decides.

Why This Matters

▸ The customer’s requirement is the deciding factor in most OEM transactions — the “technically correct” standard is the one their system accepts

▸ Starting with the wrong standard costs 8–14 weeks of re-certification

▸ A global strategy built on 62368-1 simplifies multi-market rollout (IEC/EN alignment)

What OEMs Should Do Now

▸ Confirm with your customers which listing their products require before engaging a lab

▸ Use the decision table in your next project review

▸ Verify any supplier’s listing number against the exact model — certification is model-specific

How YHYadapter Approaches UL Certification

YHYadapter (Shenzhen Yinghuiyuan Electronics Co., Ltd., established 2010) provides AC/DC power adapters, battery chargers, and power supplies with model-specific certifications. UL 62368-1 certified models are available, along with CE, FCC, PSE, KC, RCM, BIS, and CCC — certification availability depends on product model, application requirements and destination market. The YHYadapter engineering team works with NRTL labs to scope the correct standard for each model and provides certification documentation for OEM integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which standard applies to a Class 2 power unit?

UL 1310 covers Class 2 power units as a category. Whether it is the applicable route depends on how the product is classified and on the finished equipment it serves — confirmed per model and per target market rather than assumed from the adapter alone.

Can one power supply be covered by both UL 1310 and UL 62368-1?

The applicable standard follows the product and how it is classified, so the two are generally alternatives rather than a pair to satisfy. Where a product could sit in more than one scope, that question belongs with the certification body.

Does UL 62368-1 replace UL 1310?

UL 62368-1 is the safety framework for a broad range of ITE and AV equipment. UL 1310 addresses Class 2 power units specifically, and remains the route for products classified that way.

How long does certification take?

Timelines depend on the standard, the route, and how complete the technical documentation is when the project starts. Certification belongs in the project plan as a stage rather than as a final step.

Is certification available for all YHYadapter models?

Certification is available by model, and depends on the model and the target market. Availability is confirmed per model rather than assumed across a range.