UL 508A STANDARD FOR INDUSTRIAL

CONTROL PANELS
JULY 2022 UPDATES
Four changes that will impact manufacturers

Recent updates to the UL 508A

standard will have impacts for
manufacturers.
In order to stay compliant
and keep production moving,
industrial controlpanel
manufacturers need to be
prepared.

With constantly changing standards, Intertek For conductors used in power circuits, the insulation of the wire must be 90°C or higher. For the
provides manufacturers with the clear components the temperature rating marked on the component or within the instructions for the
guidance on how to ensure their products component must be used. If a component does not have a marked temperature rating on the
remain compliant. component or in the instructions, the following are the default values:
In July 2022, UL 508A was updated with several
notable changes that may affect how your
industrial control panels are manufactured. If you
are unsure how these changes will influence your
products, please contact Intertek so that we can
perform an analysis between your current design
and all the new requirements.

Wire Sizing (29.6.1) Once you have the insulation temperature of the wire and the temperature rating of both
As part of this update to UL 508A, the sizing of components you can determine which column in Table 28.1 to use to determine what is the smallest
internal conductors for power circuits has been wire size for the corresponding ampacity.
clarified to be based not only upon the insulation
of the wire, but also upon the components that
the wire is terminated in.

Wire

A B
UL 508A
UPDATES TO THE STANDARDS

Schematic Wiring Diagrams (61.1)

Clause 61.1 was updated to add a
requirement that the schematics must be
accurate and show the components and
circuits that are installed as of the time when
the panel ships. When the control panels are
installed in their final location it is important for
the electrical inspector to be able to identify which
components and circuits were installed in the
factory, and which were installed in the field.

GFCI (66.4.4)
With the strong connection between UL 508A
and NFPA 79, there were some changes within
the standard which were made to keep alignment
between the standards. One such change was
for GFCI receptacles.
It is now required that for accessory
equipment (such as hand-held power tools or
test equipment) a Class A GFCI (certified to UL
943) must be provided for all 120V, single
phase 15- or 20-ampere receptacles. Previously
there was no requirement that these receptacles
be of the GFCI type.
Removal of Elevator Control Panels (1.25)
The scope of UL 508A was updated in July 2022
to add clause 1.25, which now excludes
industrial control panels that are for the control
of elevators, escalators, moving walks,
inclined lifts, dumbwaiters, and their associated
equipment from this standard. These products
must now comply with ANSI/ASME A17.1 and
ANSI/ASME A17.5 (as applicable).
Summary
To reduce the impact of this standard change on
your business you should engage with Intertek as
soon as possible. You will then be able to:
• Identify the new and/or revised requirements
that will affect your product
• Determine any design changes that are
required to your product
• Develop a test plan for any new and/or
revised test requirements
• Schedule your project with your certification
team to ensure an on-time delivery and no
interruption to your products.
For changes that are beyond what you can address
with your own engineering resources, Intertek
consultants can assist you in any redesigns that
may be required to comply with changed test or
constructional requirements.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety
solutions serving a wide range of industries
around the world. From auditing and inspection,
to testing, quality assurance
and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to
adding value to customers’ products and
processes, supporting their success in the global
marketplace.
Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and
offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative
and bespoke Assurance, Testing,
Inspection and Certification solutions for our
customers’ operations and supply chains.
Intertek delivers Total Quality Assurance
expertise, delivered consistently with precision,
pace and passion.

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Europe

icenter@intertek.com

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