Number of UL listed devices in an assembly

[xoxota]

I have an control panel composed of 7 UL listed devices. Where does it say that this control panel has to be fabricated at a shop and have the UL bug on it? I seem to remember someone saying that if the assemble is composed of 7 or less UL listed devices, it would need to be assembled at a shop. Can anyone attest to that?
Thank you!

 

[augie47]

As I understand it, "approval" of equipment is in the AHJ's venue.
If the AHJ requires a NRTL (UL) label, so be it.
Locally I know of no "number of component" rule.
For equipment to be approved, the State of TN requires a NRTL for the assembly, not the components.

 

[davidr43229]

I would agree with augie47. It is up to the AHJ to require or not require a UL listing. If the AHJ requires a UL Listing then when 2 or more components are assembeled in 1 box, it falls under UL508A, as an assembly and would have to be built by a UL approved Panel house

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.
Enclosures or pedestals containing terminals for connection of power circuit conductors are covered
by the Standard for Termination Boxes, UL 1773.

Just my $.02

 

[Jraef]

It's usually found in your State's Electrical Code (typically consisting of amendments to the NEC). I know when I lived in Washington State for example, it was 5 components, including the box itself. Oregon was the same way. I can't speak for the validity of that now, I've been gone for 15 years. Here in California there is nothing so definitive. It just says (in a nutshell) "equipment shall be acceptable only if approved" and goes on to note that NRTL labels are a way of showing approval.

 

[PaulWDent]

Does a custom panel have to be UL approved?

Does a custom panel have to be UL approved?

One expert says yes, another says no. Fact is, electricians are building custom control panels in factories all around the country - that's what they are often employed to do - and of course they are not submitting them to UL testing at $10k-$20k a pop and 6 month delay. Nor would they be required to do so in any other country in the world.
If people here are of the general belief that the are doing something wrong if they exercise their skills to build a custom control panel, then this NTRL thing has gotten totally our of hand and needs to re-addressed in State Law.

It could be that an assembly intended to be built in multiple copies for sale to 3rd parties could have requirements to be listed for certain applications, but if it was an in-house custom design for internal use, it would not. An electrical contractor engaged by a customer to build a one-off, custom assembly to the customer's specification should not be required to submit it for UL approval - that would be an economic nonsense.

If you guys feel that the latter is the way it should be, but that AHJ's are saying otherwise, you need to talk to the State to get it clarified.