PROJECT
Design, manufacture and certification of 3 control panels under UL508A and UL698 regulations to be installed in a safe area of a steel mill in Bay City, Texas, USA, connected to instrumentation located in a classified area.
NEMA 4x Stainless
Siemens PLC
What is the UL698 standard?
UL 698 refers to Requirements for Control Panels for Use in Hazardous Areas (Class I, Divisions 1 and 2, Groups A, B, C and D, Class II, Divisions 1 and 2, Groups E, F and G and class III). This standard is issued by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an internationally recognized testing and certification organization.
UL 698 establishes safety and performance requirements for electrical control panels used in hazardous areas where combustible gases, vapors, or dusts are present that could cause an explosion or fire. These control panels must meet certain specifications and tests to ensure that they are safe and do not present risks in hazardous environments.
Difference between UL508A and UL698 regulations
UL 508A and UL 698 are two standards issued by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that apply to electrical equipment, but focus on different environments and applications. The main differences between the two are:
1. Main Application:
- UL 508A: This standard applies to industrial electrical control panels used in general applications and not specifically in hazardous environments. It establishes the requirements for the safe design and construction of these panels, ensuring their functionality and safety in standard industrial environments.
- UL 698: Instead, the UL 698 standard applies to electrical control panels used in areas classified as hazardous, where there is a risk of explosions or fires due to the presence of combustible gases, vapors or dusts. These panels must meet more rigorous safety requirements to prevent any potential ignition sources.
2. Focus on Security:
- UL 508A: Focuses on the electrical safety of control panels, ensuring that electrical standards are met to prevent electrical shock or short circuit hazards in industrial applications.
- UL 698: Focuses on intrinsic safety and explosion prevention in hazardous areas. Establishes specific requirements to minimize the risk of ignition, such as the use of explosion-proof devices and construction methods that prevent the buildup of static electricity.
3. Application of Tests:
- UL 508A: Involves electrical safety testing and evaluation, such as short circuit resistance, overload protection, moisture and corrosion resistance, among others.
- UL 698: Requires additional, more rigorous testing to ensure safety in hazardous environments, such as explosion and ignition resistance testing, as well as explosion-proof device testing.
In summary, the main difference between UL 508A and UL 698 lies in their approach and application. UL 508A focuses on the general electrical safety of control panels used in standard industrial environments, while UL 698 applies to control panels intended for hazardous environments and focuses on the prevention of explosion and fire hazards.
Do you need to comply with United States or Canadian regulations?
Our panels comply with the regulations for electrical and electronic products under the Underwriters Laboratories standard.
