UL508A standards

For European manufacturers of machinery, the North American market is an incredible opportunity for growth but one which does not come without its pitfalls. The largest of which is meeting the legal and technical requirements of the market.

Confusion in respect to UL508A and NFPA standards can be extremely costly and therefore an outsourcing partner like PP C&A, as verified and experienced designers and builders of systems to meet (Underwriters Laboratory) UL508A standards should be consulted.

PP C&A has customers, past and present, who believe that by simply selecting components that are UL listed and integrating them into a control panel that also carried a UL (NEMA) rating, that was the start and end of the exercise.

In fact, a number of machinery manufacturers have adopted this approach and depending on which US states they have been exporting to, may have managed to escape any serious issues.

But that is until they come across a more stringent inspection, whether state specific or just a more detailed and thorough site inspector. The problems then, can be devastating.

There will be re-working, supplying new components and even the time and financial cost of dispatching engineers on a plane to go and sort out the problem as quickly as they can. Furthermore, you can expect consequential penalties from the customer due to late installation of machinery and the impact this can have on future business relationships.

The importance of getting UL right when supplying into the North American market is crucial. And these common issues are all easily avoided by taking a more proactive approach to the subject and working with companies, like PP C&A, that can offer a complete UL solution in line with your specific needs.

Continue reading to get an in depth understanding of what the PP C&A service entails along with the key benefits.


UL Standards: Seizing on a massive opportunity in North America

The opportunity
The component considerations
The business considerations
The cabling considerations
UL508A standards » C UL US logo » PP Control & Automation
The design considerations
Inspection & evaluation

PP C&A UL standards capabilities & benefits

Guaranteed US & Canadian safety standards compliance

PP C&A UL Listed panels are manufactured under regular stringent UL factory audits to meet key US national and local electric safety regulations.


Save time and money on field evaluation inspection

Avoids the costly field evaluation inspection of every panel and the associated unpredictable outcome.


Global recognition and quick response

Respected globally, the UL listing mark may be specified in procurement documents for contracts outside of the USA, commonly in Middle East countries such as the UAE.

A ‘global design’ can be produced, allowing panels to be shipped to the EU, USA, Canada, and further afield without specially built and costly variants. This allows for quick response to new commercial opportunities.


Boost sales and stand out from your competitors

The UL Listing mark on your panel and/or machine can increase sales and set you apart from the competition.

The UL 508A certification provides the inspection authority and your customer evidence that the control panel complies with nationally recognised safety standards, which ensure public safety and compliance with national and local electrical codes.

Manufacturers that carry the UL 508A certification are subject to periodic unannounced inspections of their facilities by UL personnel. Through periodic audits, UL makes sure the manufacturer continues to meet the UL requirements for 508A certification.

The UL Mark on a component means that UL has evaluated and tested samples of this component and has concluded that they meet the necessary requirements, thus protecting the quality and integrity of the control panel.


The PP C&A UL listing service

Prior to manufacturing UL-approved electrical panels, we will first undertake crucial checks of customer’s submitted designs.

It is very important that the design is checked for compliance with the UL 508A standard prior to manufacturing the panel, in order to ensure UL compliance and thus enable us to apply a UL mark to the electrical panel.


Combined ‘cULus’ Canadian and US UL Listing mark.


Complete panel and machine ‘design for compliance service’ including part selection and layout.


UL compliant cable design and assembly for panels and machines.


There are a series of checks and considerations undertaken by the UL standards experts at PP C&A, which include:

Defining the required SCCR (short circuit current rating)


Design voltage rating and end customer site electrical power network configuration


Wire bending space


US NFPA 70 NEC (National Electrical Code) and NFPA 79 code compliance


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As a manufacturer of machinery, how confident are you that you are meeting the legal and technical requirements of the US and North American markets? Confusion in respect to UL508A and NFPA standards can be extremely costly.

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UL related stories

Understanding the relationship between NFPA and UL 508A

PP Control & Automation has long been promoting the considerations to be mindful of when navigating UL 508A. When doing so, questions linking to NFPA often enter the discussion. This supplement offers some clarity on the relationship between the two.

PP C&A targets global expansion after agreeing new deal with Product Approvals

PP C&A has signed a deal with Product Approvals to boost its product certification offer to global clients.

UL Standards presentation: Inspection & evaluation (Product Approvals)

Having an understanding of the processes encompassing inspection and evaluation is a major facet to the right UL practice for OEMs and the often overlooked considerations and risks when converting European builds to US-ready machines or when looking to expand into North America with new machine builds altogether.

UL Standards presentation: The cabling considerations (Lutze)

With the control panels built and the components selected, all under UL guidance, machine connectivity will bring the whole thing together but there’s a serious worry that all that hard work can be undone by not understanding the importance of cabling in relation to UL.

UL Standards presentation: The component considerations (Rockwell Automation)

Many definitions used in systems implemented in North America have no equivalent in the design of industrial installations according to European regulations. The reason for this is not a simple problem of different terminology, but a different conceptual approach altogether.

UL Standards presentation: The opportunity in North America

PP C&A’s presentation on the UL standards opportunity in North America, the business considerations, and design considerations is now available to watch on demand.

PP C&A launches new UL campaign to get manufacturers ready for £multi-million North American opportunity

UK manufacturers targeting new growth opportunities in North America are being urged to avoid costly mistakes when trying to meet specific technical standards for the territory.

UL standards video playlist

Providing machinery builders with all the considerations they’ll need to take on board to seize a massive opportunity in North America.

UL Standards: Inspection & evaluation

Unlike Canada the requirement for NRTL approval is not mandatory. However, the vast majority of your potential customers are very likely to require and request it.

UL Standards: Don’t forget the cables

With the control panels built and the components selected, all under UL guidance, machine connectivity will bring the whole thing together.

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