What Is UL 2743? The Safety Standard for Portable Power Packs

UL 2743 covers portable and movable power packs with one or more batteries that power different kinds of appliances, according to its scope, including options such as inverters, lights and vehicle adapters. UL’s pages call the products power packs, not power stations, but the description fits what’s sold as a portable power station: a battery with AC outlets.

What doesn’t it cover?

It stops at 20 kWh of lithium-ion; bigger systems fall under UL 9540, the standard for energy storage systems. It also excludes packs permanently connected to a home’s wiring or meant to supply it, and UL’s Q&A is clear that the right standard for a home battery system is UL 9540. Small phone power banks have their own standard, UL 2056.

How do I check a power station against it?

As with any certification, look for the exact model in a testing lab’s own directory, listed under UL 2743, and check that the lab is an NRTL. A logo on the box or “meets UL 2743” on a product page is a maker’s claim until you find the listing. See also our glossary entry on power stations.