Motor Listing and Labeling

[al]

The State of Minnesota requires all electrical material (with few exceptions) to be listed and labeled. The reference is:

3801.3620 APPROVAL OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
Subpart 1. National standards. Except as otherwise provided in subpart 2 or 3, as a condition for approval
under Minnesota Statutes, section 326.243, and Section 110-2 of the National Electrical Code, all electrical
equipment, including material, fittings, devices, apparatus, fixtures, appliances, and utilization equipment, used
as part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation shall be listed and labeled by a testing laboratory.

My question is on motors used in ordinary locations. I know of no manufacturer (including Baldor/Reliance) that offers a NRTL listed and labeled motor. I am also aware that many other states have this same listing and labeling requirement. Any insights on how this is addressed?

 

[mgookin]

...electrical equipment, including material, fittings, devices, apparatus, fixtures, appliances, and utilization equipment, used as part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation shall be listed and labeled...

What is an "electrical installation" for that purpose? Is it the work done under a permit? Doesn't the permitted work terminate at the outlet on the electrical distribution system? And wouldn't that outlet be where a cord plug or hard wiring to a j-box occurs?

 

[kwired]

...electrical equipment, including material, fittings, devices, apparatus, fixtures, appliances, and utilization equipment, used as part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation shall be listed and labeled...

What is an "electrical installation" for that purpose? Is it the work done under a permit? Doesn't the permitted work terminate at the outlet on the electrical distribution system? And wouldn't that outlet be where a cord plug or hard wiring to a j-box occurs?

I see your point, but looking at the quoted rule, isn't the motor going to be a part of appliances or utilization equipment?

That said an appliance may be listed with motor in it. But there are many motor driven machines that may not be listed, and wouldn't need to be either under this rule, except maybe the motor itself, as there is no electrical components on the rest of the machine.

 

[Gregg Harris]

I see your point, but looking at the quoted rule, isn't the motor going to be a part of appliances or utilization equipment?

That said an appliance may be listed with motor in it. But there are many motor driven machines that may not be listed, and wouldn't need to be either under this rule, except maybe the motor itself, as there is no electrical components on the rest of the machine.

To ad to; the motor is a "component part" and can get a UL component recognition as part of an assembly tested under the condition that the motor is exsposed to.

 

[kwired]

To ad to; the motor is a "component part" and can get a UL component recognition as part of an assembly tested under the condition that the motor is exsposed to.

Now go to some common machinery that the only electrical item is the driving motor, the machine very well may not be listed. Augers, conveyors, fans, pumps..

 

[rbalex]

On the UL Online Certifications Directory enter "prgy" in the "UL Category Code". Press "SEARCH" and you will be rewarded with the list of manufacturers that make UL listed "ordinary location" motors. Follow the link to the UL Guide Information (PRGY.GuideInfo) and scroll down to the link to PDTR and follow that link to PDTR.GuideInfo. Hit ?View Listings? in the upper left hand corner and see all 6 pages of manufactures of UL listed ?Motors for Use in Hazardous Locations?.


Until a few years ago NO motors were UL listed for "ordinary locations". Even now, those few that are, are not actual NEMA manufactures; two of them are for oddball (660V) voltages.


Many motors are CSA listed, but not as a NRTL; they are listed under Canadian standards. At least they are being evaluated under a qualified laboratory.


All that said, many inspectors have no idea the motors aren't listed if they are made by a respectable manufacturer.

 

[al]

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Now go to some common machinery that the only electrical item is the driving motor, the machine very well may not be listed. Augers, conveyors, fans, pumps..

This is the case here as this is a large wastewater plant.

 

[mgookin]

I'm sure there's a case history or qualified opinion (not an attorney general's opinion but some licensing board, building commission, electric board, etc.) that clarifies this. I think we're jumping in over our head trying to solve this puzzle from the various 50 states we all have experience in.

Is there a board or agency in that state who will answer the phone and discuss the subject?

Edit: Found it: ?For electrical codes inquiries, call (651) 284-5820
http://www.doli.state.mn.us/ccld/Electrical.asp