NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

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mike abbott

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2 part question related to 409.110 "Marking":

1) Do industrial facilities need to label the panels they fabricate if they are only using them in-house and are not selling them to others?

2) With regards to the short-circuit current rating that is to be listed, is this the rating of all the equipment, or is it the available fault current at the location of installation?

Thanks
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

1) don't know

2) its the SC withstand rating of the equipment under power. and AFAIK only the power equipment (disconnect, fuses, xfmr, etc.).
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

All code Sections must be read in context of the NEC Scope (90.2), and the Scope of the Article it is contained in; in this case, 409.1. Sub-sections and Exceptions must also be read in context of their Primary. In addition, Article 100 general definitions, and specific Article definitions must be applied.

The Scope of Article 409 makes it apply to all ?Industrial Control Panels? as defined in 409.2. Therefore, it applies to ?home-brews? and their ?short-circuit current rating? must be determined by an ?approved? method per 409.110(3) b.

?Approved? means ?Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.? UL508A is not a mandatory NEC requirement, but virtually every industrial facility is subject to State or Federal OSHA regulations and "Acceptable" is very tightly defined. For FedOSHA, the AHJ is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. If yours is one of the sixteen States with a "Final Approval" State Plan, the rules may be a bit different - but probably not significantly.
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

What kind of marking is acceptable on a "home brew" panel when complying with 409.110. Can a guy just type up a label with information, or are home made panels a violation unless built by a shop that can obtain a UL label?
Jim T
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

Marking is not a defined term, but it is a described general requirement:
110.21 Marking. The manufacturer?s name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be identified shall be placed on all electric equipment. Other markings that indicate voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings shall be provided as specified elsewhere in this Code. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
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Note: "manufacturer" in does not necessarily mean "NEMA."

Since I don't know every jurisdiction's specific requirements, I could only reference to a broad standard, such as FedOSHA 1910.399. I posted that link in the previous reply.

If read carefully, it offers three options; however, each succeeding option is contingent on the inability of being able to meet a previous one. My personal take is that, where FedOSHA is applicable, any assembly that can be NRTL certified, must be NRTL certified.
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

1. Yes, you have to mark it per 409.110. This came up in CMP11 discussions and the reason for requiring the marking even for "in house" applications was that "in house" equipment can and has been sold at a later date.

2. Panel/controls withstand rating.
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

I may just be a little mule-headed because this may have been stated clearly already. But, are we saying that all control panels built on-site in industrial facilities will have to be tested by a 3rd party to establish the "short-circuit current rating"?
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

Originally posted by jfunder:
... are we saying that all control panels built on-site in industrial facilities will have to be tested by a 3rd party to establish the "short-circuit current rating"?
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I believe that may ultimately be the result. I have to assume the panel will fall under either State or Federal OSHA regulations.

I have already posted FedOSHA's requirements for "Acceptable" above. The same section (1910.399) defines "Approved" and identifies the Assistant Secretary of Labor as the AHJ.

You may be under a State Plan instead; if so, contact them.
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

where would one find a 3rd party tester if the panels would be used anywhere
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

UL, Intertek (ETL), FM all provide field certification services. Several NETA contractors may offer "local" certifications.
 
Re: NEC Article 409 (industrial control panels)

I am an OEM and have just come across article 409.110 - panel marking. While most of the requirements seem straight forward enough, there are a couple of questions/issues I have. I admit I am behind in what has been going on with the code.

So far I have been ignored by my panel builder and my other component suppliers as how this applies to my panels. Square D is the only place where I can get an explanation of the panel marking requirement, but they leave off the critical UL stuff, which just happens to be quite prominent in their explanations. I did find the UL table SB4.1 that figures into their info and how it will apply to some of my equipment.

1. Question: SCCR info is only for 200V type of control panels. 120V or transformer secondary voltages is not applicable. My panels are primarily 400V primary with either 230V or 120V secondaries. I have 120V only control panels around my machine and I am going forward that no labeling is required for these.

2. What is the purpose of the SCCR rating on the marking? I get the fire hazard idea but cannot find much explanation to put my hands on. I just haven't come across this type of application.

3. Does the marking have to be outside the panel or can it be inside? My guess is that it does not matter.
 
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