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Two people sitting in front of a laptop discussing the applicable standards for control panel for the North American market, such as UL standards.

Building competitive control panels for North America

Are you facing the challenge of designing a control panel for the USA or Canada? You’ll need some background knowledge, since standards like UL 508A or CSA, regulations and practices differ fundamentally from those in markets using the IEC standards.

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AHJ approval is mandatory

Before a machine can be put into operation in the United States or Canada, its electrical equipment must be approved by the relevant authority. In the United States, this is the AHJ, and in Canada, it is the ESA. Electrical inspectors work strictly in accordance with application-specific norms, codes, and local standards. Therefore, correct project planning and complete documentation in accordance with North American standards are crucial for smooth approval.

In the video, expert Maximilian Krehan explains the different types of electrical control cabinets on the U.S. market and their applications. Since terms are often used differently, misunderstandings can quickly arise between designers, electrical engineers, and operators. This video will help you select the right control cabinet for your machine or customer application.

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Key US regulations

The following standards are of vital importance for machine and panel builders:

Map of North America showing applicable standards and certification bodies: USA – UL, OSHA, NFPA, NRTL; Canada – SCC, CSA Group, and other certification organizations.
Compliance with all relevant safety standards recognized by North American authorities is absolutely essential. Components used in the USA must be UL-certified.
Maximilian Krehan, Technical expert, Siemens AG

Trust our standard-compliant portfolio for USA & Canada

To build a control panel that meets US and Canadian standards, it is not enough to simply use UL- or CSA-certified components. Right from the start products with the correct certification for the specific application must be selected.

A common mistake when designing control panels is choosing the wrong switching or protective devices. The application defines which standard applies – e.g, circuit breakers must follow the application standard, not the product standard. Although UL 489 and UL 1077 look similar, they serve different purposes.

The CCN code (USA) or class number (Canada) helps verify proper component use. These can be found on the UL/CSA websites and are also bundled in the annex to our catalog LV 18.

Frequently asked questions

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