Why UL 508A Compliance Is Important for Industrial Control Panels

If you’ve ever needed a custom industrial control panel built, you’ve no doubt been asked about certifications.  Should it be certified?  Doesn’t a certified shop mean it is automatically certified at time of purchase?  Simple questions, but the answers have dramatic effect on cost, timing, and potentially safety. 

What is Underwriter’s Laboratories?

One of the certifications in question has to do with UL 508A.  The ‘UL’ in that certification stands for Underwriter’s Laboratories.  They are a global organization known for third-party testing to certify and validate tests with standardized inspections and audits.  They also provide education on standards to ensure safety and quality.  Underwriter’s Laboratories has 1,000s of standards for many different industries.

Underwriter’s Laboratories has established standards that verify industrial control panels for safe application and testing prior to being installed in their work environment.  It is still common to find panels that have been built to standards, but without any certification or testing to validate they perform safely as designed.  That is where the UL 508A standard certification comes in to play.

Why is UL508A Compliance Important?

The UL 508A standard defines the construction of industrial control panels.  The standard identifies guidelines for panel builders to follow inclusive of components to select and wiring methods for safe implementation.  Your new custom industrial panel has a specific function to ensure your business can run smoothly.  Our job is to ensure your panel is built to exceed your expectations, but also ensure that it is built for safety and function.  We use the UL 508A standard during design, assembly, and testing to verify your new custom panel will be safe and it will function as designed to your specifications.

Compliance to UL 508A is critical to ensure industrial control panels are designed for safety and longevity in the work environment.  Having your panel certified to UL 508A provides evidence that the panel complies with nationally documented safety standards throughout the design and assembly phases and it also complies with all local and national electrical codes.  The standard offers inspection criteria to verify that control panels are functioning as designed throughout the year. 

If you haven’t previously considered adding the UL 508A standard to your new custom panel build criteria, now is the time to make that adjustment.  If you have panels currently in use, but are unsure if they meet the UL 508A standard, having them verified can be completed.  It is a thorough check for safety, and well worth your time and investment. 

Automation Electric and Controls Inc., is a licensed ETL 508A panel building shop, and we take pride in our work.  Our work is defined by quality, and your safety is a critical priority in everything we do.  Every industrial control panel that goes through our shop is fully tested before it gets to the field.  We complete routine quality inspections to ensure that all of our custom industrial control panels follow both local and national electrical code compliance.  We also service every industrial panel after installation, and can support your business with enclosures, breakers, motors, wiring, relays, contactors, and much much more. We are locally owned and operated and have been in business since 2003. We have provided products for companies all over the world. When you’re ready for a new custom designed industrial panel, or need support of one currently in us, give us a call at (866) 452-6947 or email us at sales@automationelectric.com.