Industrial Control Panel for Residential Application

D

dont_blow_up

Member
Location
USA
Occupation
mechanical engineer
Location is WA, USA.

I'm looking to install what I would normally consider an industrial control panel in a new residence. The panel would have a handful of timer relays and 24V controls to control some bathroom fans and electric heaters. I'm struggling with code requirements on whether the panel needs to be UL508 or inspected by an NTRL.

  1. From what I can tell, NEC doesn't require this panel to be UL508 listed, but it would need to follow article 409.
  2. WAC 296-46B-903 specifically excepts the definition of "industrial control panel" to not include residential uses. I'm confused here because it's an industrial control panel by NEC definition but not WA state's definition.
  3. RCW 19.28.010 says that industrial control panels do not need to be listed, labeled, etc: Industrial control panels, utilization equipment, and their components do not need to be listed, labeled, or otherwise indicated as acceptable by an accredited electrical product testing laboratory unless specifically required by the National Electrical Code, 1993 edition.
I assume this means I can build a control panel per NEC 409 and be good? Any pitfalls that I should be aware of for building the panel?
 
You mention the WAC rules. It has a definition of an industrial control panel. I have installed many UL508A listed control panel in WA.
 
tom baker said:
You mention the WAC rules. It has a definition of an industrial control panel. I have installed many UL508A listed control panel in WA.
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Same, but always in industrial settings. The WAC rule specifically excepts the definition of industrial control panels in residential use, which is why I'm confused about it.
 
ptonsparky said:
Why change from Industrial Control Panel requirements, especially when you already know how it's done? Does residential forbid it?

The customer appears to be able to afford the cost.
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I'm both the client and the designer in this case. I wanted to see if I'm reading the codes/laws correctly before I talk with my electrician. It's residential and a bit out of my wheelhouse since I generally focus on hazloc control design. I'm just a mechanical engineer, too, not electrical. Since it's my money, I'm trying to be cost efficient as well as get exactly what I want.
 
typical wac you have to read them carefully. A industrial control panel is used in a manufacturer process. This section allows someone to make a control panel if it’s inspected and contains listed components. I hadn’t noticed the residential restriction before my application has always been buying a control panel from a systems integrator. That would be a good option for you. You could try making one as long as it was listed components and of course you could always call LI and ask their opinion I don’t know because of the residential angle.
 
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