Can I Make And Sell Lamps Without Certification Legally? (us, Minnesota)
I've made a couple of lamps, utilizing steel pipe, fittings, various found objects, glass jars, etc. I'm pretty sure I could do a few as a side gig, and make decent money on them. Not, however, enough money to have these pieces UL-tested, or some such, especially since they're one-off pieces, and more art than furniture.
What I don't know is what liability I'm incurring by selling a homemade electrical device. I'm a pretty good hack electrician, and am very confident in the safety factor of what I make - the lights are securely wired, and grounded to the frame in case of a short, and consist of better components than your average Ikea lamp - but all the same, this is an incredibly litigious country and I want to cover my bases.
My questions are:
- If my lamp burns down a house, would it matter whether it was UL listed or not? Would I get sued regardless?
- Would having the buyer sign a waiver, put together by a lawyer, actually offer protection in an event like that?
- Are the standards different between lamps, and light fixtures such as wall sconces or ceiling fans? (This is less of a legal question and more of an electrical code one, but I'm throwing it in anyway.)
- Is using UL-listed components and connectors an adequate substitute?
Thank you!
Edit: I found this statute, which seems relevant, but I'm having a hard time understanding it, if anyone here is better at translating this kind of thing. 3801.3620 - MN Rules Part
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