I believe the description of an industrial control panel is found in the scope of UL 508A, Industrial Control Panels.
1 Scope
1.1 These requirements cover industrial control panels intended for general industrial use, operating from
a voltage of 600 volts or less. This equipment is intended for installation in ordinary locations, in
accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, where the ambient temperature does not
exceed 40°C (104°F) maximum.
1.2 These requirements also cover industrial control panel enclosures and industrial control panels
intended for flame safety supervision of combustible fuel type equipment, elevator control, crane or hoist
control, service equipment use, marine use, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, and for control
of industrial machinery including metalworking machine tools, power press controls, and plastic injection
molding machinery.
1.3 This equipment consists of assemblies of two or more power circuit components, such as motor
controllers, overload relays, fused disconnect switches, and circuit breakers, or control circuit
components, such as pushbuttons, pilot lights, selector switches, timers, and control relays, or a
combination of power and control circuit components, with associated wiring, and terminals . These
components are mounted on, or contained within, an enclosure, or are mounted on a sub-panel.
1.4 An industrial control panel does not include an evaluation of the controlled equipment such as motors,
heaters, lighting, and other loads connected to power circuits. Unless specifically noted on the wiring
diagram of the industrial control panel, an industrial control panel does not include equipment mounted
remotely from the panel and connected via a wiring systems or equipment field installed on or within the
industrial control panel.
1.5 An evaluation of the adequacy of the controls and protective devices contained in an industrial control
panel for supervision and proper functioning of the controlled loads or equipment is not covered by the
requirements in this standard. Such evaluations are covered by the standards applicable to the complete
piece of utilization equipment.
1.6 The evaluation of a pre-fabricated building, structure, or platforms supplied with industrial control
panels are not covered by the requirements in this standard.
1.7 Fire pump controllers are covered by the Standard for Fire Pump Controllers, UL 218.
1.8 Equipment intended for use in hazardous locations, as defined in the National Electrical Code,
ANSI/NFPA 70, are covered by the Standard for Industrial Control Equipment for Use in Hazardous
(Classified) Locations, UL 698.
1.9 Industrial control panels incorporating intrinsic safety barriers and intended for connection to circuits
residing in hazardous locations are covered by the Standard for Industrial Control Panels Relating to
Hazardous (Classified) Locations, UL 698A.
1.10 Motor control centers, including motor control center sections and units, or equipment intended for
field installation into a motor control center are covered by the Standard for Motor Control Centers, UL
845.
1.11 Assemblies of electrical control units or equipment containing electrical control units for
fire-protective signaling systems are covered by the Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire
Alarm Systems, UL 864.
1.12 A freestanding assembly of circuit breakers and busses for control of electric light and power circuits
or equipment intended for field installation in dead-front switchboards are covered by the Standard for
Switchboards, UL 891.
1.13 Equipment intended to supply automatic illumination, power, or both, to critical areas and equipment
essential to safety of human life is covered by the Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power
Equipment, UL 924.
1.14 Control equipment for use with swimming pools and spas is covered by the Standard for Electric
Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment, UL 1563.
1.15 Portable control panels containing switches, overcurrent protection, and cord connected via
attachment plugs and receptacles for use at carnivals, circuses, fairs, exhibition halls, motion picture and
television studios, theaters, construction sites and similar locations are covered by the Standard for
Portable Power-Distribution Equipment, UL 1640.
1.16 Equipment for the control of fuel cells, photovoltaic systems, or utility interactive systems are
covered by the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for
Use With Distributed Energy Resources, UL 1741.
1.17 Enclosures or pedestals containing terminals for connection of power circuit conductors are covered
by the Standard for Termination Boxes, UL 1773.
1.18 Emergency alarm equipment or control panels containing emergency alarm equipment are covered
by the Standard for General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems, UL 2017.
1.19 Equipment for gas or vapor detection or control panels containing gas or vapor detection equipment
is covered by the Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors, UL 2075.
1.20 Control panels containing predominately communication equipment, such as telephone equipment
and intended for installation in accordance with Chapter 8 of the NEC, is evaluated to the Standard for
Information Technology Equipment, UL 60950.
1.21 Control equipment intended for use in physical access control systems, which provide an attended
or unattended means of monitoring or controlling traffic through portals of a protected area for security
purposes; or in key management systems, which regulate or control access to the use of a device by
electrical, electronic or mechanical means, are covered by the Standard for Access Control System Units,
UL 294.
1.22 Electrically operated or mechanically operated control equipment or enclosures intended for theft
deterrent or warning purposes, such as detectors, security containers or alarms for merchandise or
property, are covered by the Standard for Antitheft Alarms and Devices, UL 1037.
