UL Label

[redwood1957]

If you were to drill a hole in a panel and Panel cover and insert a bolt and nut it to hang the cover does that void the UL Label? Altering equipment?

 

[John120/240]

AFAIK, I would not worry. But I am not a UL expert. Others hopefully will chime in.

How did the manufactuer intend for this cover to be installed?

 

[jim dungar]

The only thing that matters is the acceptance by the AHJ. UL is always willing to help the AHJ in their evaluation.
Only UL can tell you if any field modification (even something as simple as punching a conduit entry)actually 'voids' the UL label.

 

[Cmdr_Suds]

If this panel is already listed, there should be a label indicating that you should only use hubs rated to maintain the rating of the enclosure. If it is a type 12 enclosure, you should only was hubs that are listed as type 12. If you drill a hole and install a bolt in it, it would technically reduce the rating of the enclosure to type 1 since the bolt has not been evaluated as to its ability to maintain the type ratiing of an enclosure. It would not neccessarily void the panel listing as a whole. Is the enclosure rating a real concern? If it is in a electrical closet, then probably not. If it is on a plant floor maybe. Food plant where it will get hosed down, definately.

 

[renosteinke]

If we're going to get some official UL postings here, no one would be more delighted than I.

As for panel modifactions: UL's position is simply that they don't know, and have no way to know without a complete evaluation. Heck, they won't even assert that products, fresh from the factory and still in their original packing, meet their standards; they best you'll get is 'maybe' or 'probably.'

I believe the OP simply want to add a pin or bolt to ensure the damn cover won't fall on his face as he's looking at the panel. UL standards do not address the convenience of open panel doors, so there are some pretty crappy designs out there.

Pardon the language - but there are some proud firms out there with some pretty impractical products.

 

[davidr43229]

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/industries/powerandcontrols/industrialcontrolpanels/tips/
Maintain environmental ratings for enclosure mounted devices
Cutting holes for conduit, components or for mounting components directly to the enclosure can affect the environmental rating of the enclosure. It requires an evaluation to determine the correct rating for the modified enclosure. Even popping rivets through the enclosure to hold the nameplate affects the environmental "type" rating. There are two exceptions to this:

Type 1 rated enclosures do not require re-testing
Situations where all of the components are UL Listed or Recognized with marked type ratings equal to or better than the rating of the enclosu

 

[mbeatty]

I agree with the previous statements that the primary concern would be that the enclosure type rating would be affected unless it is Type 1.

 

[bphgravity]

From the,

REPORT ON DISCUSSIONS DURING UL MEETINGS WITH ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS AT THE 2007 IAEI SECTION MEETINGS:

Q.
Evaluating field modifications. At what point does a field modification become a violation of a listing?
A.
When a UL Listed product is modified after it leaves the factory, UL has no way to determine if the product continues to comply with the safety requirements used to certify the product without investigating the modified product. UL can neither indicate that such modifications "void" the UL Mark, nor that the product continues to meet UL's safety requirements, unless the field modifications have been specifically evaluated by UL.

Although some product marking may permit field modifications in accordance with any printed instructions supplied with the product. For example: some garbage disposal units may be supplied with a cord and plug connection kit, but could also be field wired using a NEC? Chapter 3 fixed wiring method when the manufacturers installation instructions are followed. An AHJ would make the final approval decision based on NEC? 110.3(B). For additional information on field modifications please refer to page 38 in the UL White Book or visit UL?s online Field Evaluation Services homepage at: http://www.ul.com/field/index.html.

 

[Cmdr_Suds]

The listing is for the panel as it left the factory, not for how it was installed. When it leaves the factory, that is the job of the AHJ. It is supposed to have some form of instructions saying how to properly install it and still maintain the listing. That is why UL does not like to list it after it has left the shop. It opens up a whole new can of worms for them.