Question on failed UL inspection

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David Charles

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We have had a UL inspector tell us that we could not install intrinsically safe relays inside of our panels and UL label the panels. It was based off first item listed on inspection report from a project we did a few years ago. We are having engineer’s require these intrinsically safe components more and more and we need to resolve how we can incorporate these components into our panels or just come to definitive decision that we simply can’t. Can you read over this a give me your opinion. I have seen these devices in panels by other suppliers and just need to know how they are able to do it and UL label their panels.

this is what was said in the report

9/6/2018 11:23:56 AM -- Bruce Bledsoe 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.
9/6/2018 11:26:30 AM -- Bruce Bledsoe Panel was utilizing a Surge Arrester “MAXIVOLT ICP-110”
that was ETL Intertek certified as a recognized component 9/6/2018 11:30:10 AM -- Bruce Bledsoe
Panel was using a “FLYGHT” or “XYLEM” model Multismart 3MP PLC that did not have any
identifiable UL Listing or Recognized Component Marking on the units. There was the base unit inside
the enclosure and the ‘head’ or the interface that was mounted to the door of the enclosure. 9/6/2018
11:58:49 AM -- Bruce Bledsoe There was no labeling or markings according to 55.8 An industrial
control panel incorporating UPS equipment shall be marked with the word Danger or Warning
and the following or equivalent: “Risk of Electric Shock – UPS equipment outputs remain live with
main disconnect in off position.” 9/6/2018 12:00:00 PM -- Bruce Bledsoe The panel was marked
NEMA 12 not TYPE 12 9/6/2018 12:07:37 PM -- Bruce Bledsoe Manufactures representative was
unable to prove through traceability of the UL TYPE ratings on all devices penetrating the enclosure to
verify the overall industrial control panel qualifies as a UL TYPE 12 environmental rating.

Attached is a data sheets for products we would likely use in these cases.
 

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I don't know much about the subject so this is a wild guess based on context of the report. It seems like you are a ul508A shop and to make panels with intrinsicly safe devices you need to also be a ul698A shop.
 
Some of the hits were for simple items, no labels, unlisted components..now you are on ULs radar. And yes it’s a separate procedure for IS. I would suggest you get set up for that.
 
So are you a UL panel shop? Or were you attempting to get a UL Field inspection on a panel that you built? Because you should have known that you need the UL698A listing in ADDITION to the UL508A if you are going to build panels with ISRs in them, it's been that way for 20 years or so now.

Also;
  • You would have known that adding an ETL listed device is not going to fly with UL. The other way around usually works (UL listed component in an ETL listed panel), but not that way.
  • The Flyght Multismart 3MP pump controller IS UL listed, so you would have had the UL file information at the ready if the inspector didn't see it on the unit, because UL would have required that in your documentation.
  • The issue of putting a UPS inside of a panel has been this way for quite a while now too (I don't know exactly when, maybe 10 years?).
  • You would have known that although "NEMA 12" is the same as UL Type 12, the box must have the UL Type 12 label on it.
  • You would have known that all devices on the door or penetrating the box must bear the same UL Enclosure / Environmental rating as the enclosure, and again, your documentation for UL would have had that information at the ready.
 
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