In April 2023, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) jointly released the updated ANSI/CAN/UL 2743:2023 standard. This revision directly expanded the vehicle charging voltage range from the original 12V to 24V, enabling emergency starting support for more types of vehicles.

This means if your automotive jump starter products aim to enter the North American market, you must re-evaluate compliance with the latest safety requirements.

01 Standard Evolution

UL 2743, the safety standard for portable energy storage power supplies, dates back to its first edition published in 2016. With technological advancements and changing market demands, the standard has undergone continuous evolution.

The latest 2023 edition introduces several critical updates. The most pivotal change is expanding the application scope of power packs with boost function, allowing them to provide temporary power for depleted land vehicle batteries. The rated maximum DC voltage is increased to 24V, compared to only 12V input supported by the old version.

The standard also redefines the concept of "portable" by introducing a 18kg weight threshold. Non-fixed installation equipment can be classified as portable energy storage products if its weight is below 18kg or it is equipped with devices facilitating movement.

The updated standard optimizes hazardous voltage limits:

• For indoor-use products, the safe voltage limit is raised to 42.4V peak or 60V DC.
• For outdoor or temporary outdoor products, the limit remains at the previous 21.2V peak or 30V DC.

02 Market Access Threshold

North America imposes stringent safety regulations on automotive jump starters. According to Amazon’s official policy, all large energy storage power supply devices must provide test reports compliant with the UL 2743 standard.

Specifically, for automotive jump starter products to be sold on Amazon, they must submit test reports issued by ILAC ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratories, confirming that each unit has been tested and meets UL 2743 requirements.

This mandatory requirement is not only for compliance but also to safeguard consumer safety. The safety of an automotive jump starter fundamentally depends on the safety of its key components.

Considering standard requirements during the product design phase can actually help enterprises reduce R&D costs and cycles, enabling faster market entry.

03 Core Testing Challenges

UL 2743 certification testing covers multiple dimensions, with several key test items requiring special attention:

• Normal Charging Operation Test and Lithium Charging System Test are foundational, ensuring product safety under regular usage conditions.
• Leakage Current Test and Dielectric Withstand Voltage Test verify the product’s electrical safety performance. The new standard further improves the leakage current testing method, adding test requirements for hazardous voltage to safe voltage ports.
• Abnormal Operation Test simulates various fault conditions to ensure the product will not cause safety incidents even under improper use. For automotive jump start functions, a reverse polarity test is explicitly required to prevent hazards caused by incorrect connections.

Mechanical testing is equally rigorous:

• Vibration Test simulates vibration environments during transportation and use.
• Drop Test varies by product weight: products ≤ 18kg require three drops from 0.9m, while products > 18kg only require one drop from 0.9m.

For lithium battery packs with energy greater than 1kWh, the new standard adds a single cell failure test requirement, referencing the single cell thermal propagation testing method in UL 1973. This new test reflects higher safety requirements for lithium batteries.

04 Certification Preparation Process

Thorough preparation is critical to successfully obtaining UL 2743 certification. Enterprises need to prepare a series of technical documents, including:

• English user manuals
• Product specifications
• Circuit schematic diagrams
• PCB layout drawings
• Nameplates

A list of critical components and their certification documents are also indispensable. These documents reflect the enterprise’s rigorous approach to production—only rigorous enterprises can manufacture safe and reliable products.

The certification process typically includes the following stages:

1. Communication with Certification Bodies: Confirm testing standards and items.
2. Sample Evaluation and Testing: Conduct comprehensive testing on submitted samples.
3. Report Review and Certification Issuance: Obtain the official certificate after report approval.

The total cycle varies by product complexity: 6–8 weeks for portable power supplies and 4–6 weeks for jump starters.

Note: If the product has additional functions (e.g., power sockets, Bluetooth, WiFi), these must be clearly stated in the application, as such features may affect testing requirements.

When selecting a certification laboratory, prioritize institutions with CMA and CNAS qualifications that are also witness laboratories for international certification bodies such as TUV. These laboratories can not only issue authoritative reports but also provide technical support during the product design phase—such as evaluating circuit clearance, creepage distance, and structural design—helping enterprises avoid losses from late-stage mold modifications.

After your automotive jump starter passes UL 2743 certification, a small mark will be added to the product. Behind this mark lies hundreds of rigorous tests—from -10℃ low-temperature environments to 50℃ high-temperature challenges, from repeated drops to long-term vibration, from circuit reverse connection to output short circuits.

Across the vast landscapes of the United States and Canada, every automotive jump starter bearing the UL mark embodies the standard setters’ commitment to safety. This mark is not only a passport to market access but also an invisible bridge connecting manufacturers’ responsibilities with consumer trust.