What is a UL508A Listed Control Panel Shop?
Electrical control panels can present more than a few risks to the safety of your business, employees and your bottom line. Fire, shock, equipment damage, loss of productivity, and, in some environments, explosions, can result from a panel that’s poorly designed or incorrectly matched to the application.
UCEC stands apart from other OEM control panel manufacturers as one of the few companies that has passed the most recent, stringent UL MTR (Manufacturer Technical Representative) exam. We took a deep dive into UL and what the safety certification has to do with control panel building, but what is a UL listed panel shop and why should you look for one when you’re in the market for a new control panel?
What is a UL listed panel shop?
UL listed means that the control panel has been tested by UL to nationally recognized safety and sustainability standards.
UL certified manufacturers are able to build UL Listed products without undergoing inspections by UL for every product they create. Instead, these manufacturers are authorized by UL to test the products themselves and apply the UL Listed label.
UL listing is a standard of product safety, and a recognized label that inspectors trust. UL Certification is the most important qualification to look for in a panel shop. Panel shops with a current UL certification should have an MTR that has passed Underwriters Laboratory’s stringent test on UL standards and procedures.
Panels being installed in hazardous locations require extra layers of protection; explosion proof panels, non-incendive, purged and pressurized solutions are also available for Class I Division I and Class I Division II areas.
The following UL Standards relate to control panel building:
UL508A: Standard for building and construction of industrial control panels.
UL698A: Standard for intrinsic safety for control panels in hazardous locations/
ULNNNY: Standard for cover purged and pressurized as well as non-incendive control panels.
Not all UL Listed Panel Shops are Created Equal
Very few panel shops have achieved UL certification and those that have are under no obligation to build all of their panels to the UL standard. In fact, most shops sell about 80 percent of their panels as non-certified since most of their customers don’t require a UL certified panel. For those who do need a certified panel, they add, on average, 10 percent to the total purchase price for the UL listing.
This should be a red flag to any buyer. A panel shop committed to quality should build every panel to the UL standard, regardless of listing requirements. After all, UL standards are in place to improve the safety and operability of the control panel.
At UCEC, a UL certified panel only has the added cost of the nameplate to display the UL labeling.
How to select a Control Panel Shop
Given the risks an inferior control panel can pose to your business, it’s important to invest in a panel that will safeguard your employees, equipment and operations. Even if you don’t need a UL certified panel, we recommend you select a panel shop who builds panels:
From UL-listed components recognized for their specific application,
According to UL standards, regardless of their need for certification,
That are verified through onsite inspections,
On time.
You can read more about our top tips for choosing a panel in this checklist.
UCEC is a UL Certified Panel Shop
UCEC builds all panels to UL standards regardless of listing requirements, with attention to component selection, wiring methods, and short circuit current ratings.
Making the effort to buy a panel built to UL standards will keep you out of trouble; save time, money and risk; and improve the overall quality of your projects.
Contact us to get started on your next panel project.