UL warns about potentially hazardous ropelights

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is notifying consumers and merchandisers that ropelights (also known as flexible lighting), manufactured by Shanghai Liting Universal Electric Products Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China, may present a fire or shock hazard. These ropelights do not comply with UL's safety requirements and are not authorized to bear the UL Mark.

The ropelights are sold in various colors, including clear, and in varying lengths up to 25 feet. The ropelight design includes a connector that allows them to be extended up to 150 feet.

Distributed by L'Image Home Products, 555 Chanabel Street, Montreal, Canada, these ropelights have been sold throughout Canada and the United States by retailers including Hart Department Stores, M. Rossy Ltd., K-Mart and Costco.

The ropelights can be identified by catalog number RL10001, with the marking E204134 appearing on a white label attached to the power supply cord. The company name, L'Image, appears on the product packaging.

Despite the appearance of the UL Mark on the product and its packaging, these ropelights are not UL Listed and do not comply with UL's requirements. Consumers are urged to stop using these ropelights immediately and return them to the place of purchase or L'Image Home Products.

Edited by Jerry R. Borland, P.E.
Managing Editor, EC Online