Drilling holes in listed equipment

[HoosierSparky]

Is it a NEC violation to drill rivit holes for mounting labels to disconnects or panels? Some inspectors look at drilling the holes in the top front of a panel/door as a violation, especially in a NEMA 3R, 4, 4X, 12.......

I have usually taken the approach that if the rivits are set in the lower part of a door or panel, you wouldn't affect the performance of the panel. I think this has been addressed before on this forum, but it has come up again here. Thoughts? :?

 

[iwire]

I think they have a valid point with NEMA 4 and above

With 3R I think your point about going low is also valid.

 

[templdl]

What ever is done to the enclosure should be listed for application with that specific enclosure type. If you are allowed to do otherwise how is the integrity guarantied to be maintained? The modification should be an accepted procedure in order to maintain the listing of the enclosure. Then again if the AHJ goes along with it it's as non issue.

 

[jim dungar]

Drilling holes for nameplates is no different than drilling holes for conduit entries.

Whatever you do must not negatively impact the enclosure.


According to the UL white book:
"What happens to the Listing if a UL-Listed product is modified in the field?

An authorized use of the UL Mark is the manufacturer?s declaration that the product was originally
manufactured in accordance with the applicable requirements when it was shipped from the factory. When
a UL-Listed product is modified after it leaves the factory, UL has no way to determine if the product
continues to comply with the safety requirements used to certify the product without investigating the
modified product. UL can neither indicate that such modifications ??void?? the UL Mark, nor that the
product continues to meet UL?s safety requirements, unless the field modifications have been specifically
investigated by UL. It is the responsibility of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine the
acceptability of the modification or if the modifications are significant enough to require one of UL?s Field
Engineering Services staff members to evaluate the modified product. UL can assist the AHJ in making this
determination."

 

[goldstar]

Why not use adhesive backing ? Some of the foam adhesives they use today are pretty strong. In fact, if you happen to make a mistake and apply one of these phenolic labels with the adhesive backing slightly ajar - it's staying that way.

 

[HoosierSparky]

Why not use adhesive backing ? Some of the foam adhesives they use today are pretty strong. In fact, if you happen to make a mistake and apply one of these phenolic labels with the adhesive backing slightly ajar - it's staying that way.

The problem with the adhesive backing, especially in our desert climate, is it is NOT permanent. Due to heat, extreme cold, caustic enviornment, the sticky backed tags don't stay on.

The cloth type labels similar to the Brady ones usually won't meet with the permanent part of the labeling requirements of 690. If you can "smear" the label with water, brake cleaner or some other solvent, it is not permanent. Rivited labels seem like the only method that really meets the intent of the code. It question still remains to just how and where.

 

[lakee911]

We require our nameplates to be attached with screws. Some manufacturers balk at holes in their panel because the screw isn't rated NEMA 4X and that would violate their self-imposed rating. Fortunately, Hoffman makes a NEMA 4X rated screw. Each screw is more than $2, but it gets the job done.

 

[Volta]

Consider magnetic labels.

 

[lakee911]

Consider magnetic labels.

Consider them lost. :lol: