Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions 201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les 2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MATERIAL COMPARISON

Polycarbonate (PCB) vs. Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) vs. Urea

Please Note - all Leviton linear fluorescent sockets are PBT or Urea. CFL's are Polycarbonate. * UL accepts Urea for all lampholder application despite the reduced flame rating. **Although the temperature rating of Urea is 100 C it has performed at higher ratings.

Properties PCB PBT Urea

Molding Type Injection molded (Thermoplastic)

Injection molded (Thermoplastic )

Compression Molded (Thermoset)

Resistance to corrosives

Lowest Resistant Moderately Resistant

Most Resistant

Resistance to Flame

Depends on grade Depends on grade *Most resistance

Heat Resistance

Depends on grade Depends on grade **Generic rating

Flexible vs. Rigid

Highly flexible Moderately flexible Least flexible

Relative Thermal Index (RTI)

Up to140C Up to 150C **100C

Moisture Absorption

High Low Low

IEC Acceptance

Acceptable Acceptable Not acceptable

UL Listed Yes Yes Yes

Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions 201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les 2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MATERIAL COMPARISON

Significance: Molding Type Different plastics can have different molding processes. Thermoplastic materials are molded by heating the raw material to its melting point and injecting it into a mold, while thermoset materials are molded by adding solid pellets to a mold and subjecting the material to a high level of compression. Resistance to Corrosives Industrial environments often contain airborne corrosive materials such as chemical solvents and cleaners. These chemicals attack all three forms of plastic material indicated above, however some materials are more resistant than others. Polycarbonate exhibits the least amount of resistance to attack. In some cases, exposure to corrosive airborne chemicals can result in severe degradation of properties leading to lampholder failure. Urea lampholders have been used in extreme corrosive environments for over 50 years without reported failures. PBT has been used over the past 10 years with no reported failures. Resistance to Flame UL requires that all thermoplastic fluorescent lampholders be rated at least 94V-2. For use in instant-start applications, thermoplastics must be rated at least 94V-0. The vertical flame performance of the two thermoplastic materials indicated above is dependent upon the amount of flame retardant added to the material. Thermoset materials are accepted by UL for use in both applications based on their history of performance, despite the fact that they do not carry 94V-2 or 94V-0 flame ratings. IEC standards do not recognize thermoset materials as being acceptable without passing the vertical flame tests. Heat Resistance UL requires that materials used in the body of a fluorescent lampholder be suitable to withstand temperatures of at least 90 degrees C. Urea carries a generic rating of 100 degrees C, making it acceptable from a heat resistance standpoint. Heat resistance of PCB and PBT materials are dependent upon their formulations and can range from 80C to 140C for PCB, and 80C to 150C for PBT. Flexible vs. Rigid Depending on formulation, all three materials will exhibit varying degrees of flexibility or rigid. Urea is the least flexible of the materials above and generally not suitable for lampholders employing snap-in legs and other movable or spring-like features. PCB and PBT may be quite flexible; however the addition of glass in many formulations (used to enhance heat resistance and other properties) may cause the material to become more brittle. Relative Thermal Index This is a specific maximum temperature rating assigned to a material by UL. See Heat Resistance above.

Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions 201 N.Service Rd., Melville, NY 11747-3138 Tech Line: 1-800-824-3005 Fax: 1-800-832-9538 www.leviton.com/les 2011 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.

MATERIAL COMPARISON

Moisture Absorption PBT and Urea exhibit little, if any sensitivity to moisture. PCB materials may absorb water in high humidity conditions or become dry in low humidity conditions. Both conditions can affect the mechanical and electrical properties of the material.