Industrial Control Panels (ICP) are an assembly of two or more power circuit components, control circuit components, or any combination of power and control circuit components. These components are typically switches, terminal blocks, contactors, motor drives, transformers, overcurrent protective devices and the like. ICPs are designed and manufactured to a standard that certifies the final product. There are a few standards that apply to the ICP based on the intended application and the components comprising the finished product. These standards are covered in this section.
National Electric Code
The National Electric Code (NEC) is the primary benchmark used in laws, for regulatory purposes and in standardization activities such as insurance underwriting, construction and building management and product testing and certifications. The NEC is issued by the National Fire Protection Agency and is applicable to a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial applications.
The current edition of the NEC, the NFPA 70 was approved as an American National Standard on September 1, 2022.
ANSI/UL508A
The UL Standard for Safety for Industrial Control Panels, UL 508A is the most widely used standard in the United States for Industrial Control Panel design and manufacturing, as defined under the NFPA 70. Issued and enforced by the Underwriters Laboratory LLC, this standard ensures rigorous compliance to the NEC for ICPs.
More information on the UL508A standard and the UL industrial control panel shop program can be found here.
ANSI/UL698A
The UL Standard for Safety 698A is a set of requirements that cover ICPs intended for general use installation and for use in unclassified locations with intrinsically safe circuit extensions in to the following hazardous locations, defined in NFPA 70:
- Class 1, Division 1
- Class 1, Zone 0 and Zone 1 AEx
- Class 2, Division 1
- Class 3, Division 1
- Zone 20 and Zone 21 AEx
ANSI/UL1203
The UL Standard for Safety 1203 is a set of requirements that cover explosion proof and dust-ignition proof electrical equipment for installation and use in hazardous locations Class 1, Division 1, groups A, B, C and D and Class 2, Division 1, groups E, F and G as defined in NFPA 70.