Industrial Control Panels In Depth Look Part 3: UL - Removing the Mystery
Industrial_Control_Panels_In_Depth_Look_Part_3_UL_-_Removing_the_Mystery.pdf
UL, Removing the Mystery: What is it, and why do we care?
What is UL?
- Third party that ensure control panels are built to a certain standard
- A panel shop that is "listed" Operates under the UL508A standard
- UL508 Panels meet and in most cases exceed the National Electric Code
- Panels Built to the standard must be fabricated in a UL approved location
Common Standards follow for UL
- All components used in a UL "Listed" panel have to be approved by UL
- Very strict labeling and marking guidelines must be follower
- Wire type and color are also monitored by UL
- Proper spacing throughout the panel is critical to meet UL standards
Approval and Maintaining
approval process and education. Once the initial approval has taken place, quarterly inceptions
will commence to ensure the shop is continuing to maintaining the high standards that UL puts forth.
Transcript:
[0m:4s] Hi I'm Josh Bloom, welcome to another video in the RSP Supply education series. Today we're going to be talking more about industrial control panels. More specifically, we will be taking an in depth look at what it means when a panel is UL listed. For more information about the basics of industrial control panels, please see our other video which we will link in the description below.
[0m:26s] When talking about UL listed control panels, we are talking specifically about panels that are listed under the UL 508 certification
[0m:36s] that can be given to a panel shop located within North America.
[0m:41s] A UL listed panel is simply a third party certification. That is given which states that panels fabricated with the intent of being UL listed
[0m:51s] are built to a certain standard. Today we will discuss what those standards are and why it might affect the type of panel that is being fabricated.
[1m:1s] We will also discuss the requirements of the manufacturing facilities where UL panels originate, and the training required for individuals at those manufacturing facilities.
[1m:12s] When building an industrial control panel that is going to be UL listed, there are several requirements that have to be met in order for this certification to occur.
[1m:22s] The main purpose of UL listing is to ensure that the panel meets all codes set in place by the NEC or national electric code.
[1m:32s] In many cases, UL goes one step beyond these codes and has set even higher standards for panel builders.
[1m:40s] Let's go through some of the main requirements that must be met when building a UL listed panel.
[1m:46s] The most important thing when building a UL listed panel is the hardware that we are using. When selecting hardware for an industrial control panel,
[1m:55s] UL listed hardware, more specifically hardware that is intended for industrial control panels, should be selected if you intend to list the panel under the UL 508 certification.
[2m:8s] What this means is that the specific hardware has been put through rigorous testing to ensure that it meets the highest standards for industrial situations.
[2m:17s] It gives the end user confidence in knowing that the hardware in the panel will last under even some of the most harsh conditions.
[2m:26s] If hardware does not meet this standard, special exceptions can be made. However, the panel builder must provide an explanation and validation for using this hardware.
[2m:37s] Labeling and drawings are the next thing that we're going to talk about when listing a panel.
[2m:42s] Detailed labeling is essential when building a panel that is going to be listed.
[2m:47s] This labeling should match the drawings provided with the panel exactly.
[2m:53s] It is also very important to identify the type of power that's coming into the panel
[2m:
[2m:58s] as well as the FLA or full load AMP rating of that panel,
[3m:4s] along with various other details that are pertinent to that panel. Along with labeling and hardware, the manufacturing facility and the employees responsible for manufacturing the control panels must meet certain qualifications and be trained in order to be classified as a UL listed panel shop.
[3m:24s] Some of these qualifications include specific tools that need to be used when building an industrial control panel. One example of this might be
[3m:33s] a torque screwdriver, which is a very common requirement for UL.
[3m:37s] This allows us to make sure that each connection point within the panel is meeting the proper torque standards. Also, the facility fabrication area must meet certain requirements and be in a controlled and secure environment that would prevent any tampering with the control panels. Lastly employees are required to attend a very specific training course that is provided by UL.
[4m:3s] This training discusses in detail all of the requirements that UL mandates as well as best practices for panel building.
[4m:12s] It is important to note that in order for a panel to be UL listed, it must be manufactured in the facility that UL has approved.
[4m:22s] Any panels manufactured outside of this facility, even if it is by a technician who has been through the UL training, cannot be listed as a UL panel. As mentioned before, UL provides third party certification to ensure panels are built to the proper standard. However, this certification is not necessary in all industrial control panels. Also, there may be many instances that the industrial control panels are built to this same standard
[4m:50s] but are not listed as UL panels. In many cases, it is up to the client. Whether the panel should actually be listed or not. However, panel builders should hold themselves to these standards whether they are a listed panel shop or not.
[5m:6s] For a full line of industrial control panel components or thousands of other products, please go to our website. For more information or other educational videos, go to RSPSupply.com, the Internet's top source for industrial hardware. Also, don't forget: like and subscribe.