Electrical Standards – A Global Demand for Third Party Certification

by David Crooks, Fibox Enclosures

With the continuing introduction of complex electrical and electronic systems, there is a need to ensure proper operation and longevity of critical systems upon which our safety depends. Governments, independent third party certifiers, and trade organizations have become globally active, issuing engineering guidelines, standards, and regulatory directives aimed at increased protection of critical electrical and electronic systems. Knowledge of these organizations and understanding the role of third party certification of components can aid the engineer in designing for regulatory compliance.

In the world of electrical and electronic products, compliance with standards means more than compatibility. It means efficacy and very often security and safety for the consumer product or industrial user who depends upon the proper functioning of appliances, process controls, or sophisticated factory automation. Electrical standards establish a set of rules, guidelines, common terminology, and expected results of performance aimed at making order out of potential chaos.

With the globalization of trade, significant effort has been made to establish “global standards” to minimize or eliminate differing approaches which act as barriers to trade and the movement of goods. Perhaps the best example of this is the European Union that has acted aggressively to harmonize the various standards, e.g. electrical safety standards, of its member nations, eliminating the previous country-by-country approach.

 Several organizations that develop standards for the electrical industry are:
* NEMA – National Electrical Manufacturers Association
* NFPA – National Fire Protection Association
* ANSI – American National Standards Institute
* IEC – International Electro-technical Commission
* CENELEC – European Committee for Electro-technical Standardization

These organizations develop and issue voluntary standards, but do not investigate or certify product compliance. An example is “NEMA 250 – Enclosures for Electrical Equipment,” a performance specification that defines how electrical enclosures are to perform vis-à-vis various degrees of water penetration, dust penetration, corrosion resistance, and other criteria. NEMA 250 also details the methods and manner of testing the enclosure to verify the claimed level ofperformance. Therefore, NEMA 250 establishes both defined performance levels and specific testing required to prove compliance. Manufacturers perform these tests and can self-certify that the results indicate compliance to the standard. Alternatively, they can secure the opinion of an independent third party, typically a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that investigates the manufacturer’s product to assure conformity to the applicable standard.

   Several third party certifiers are:
* Underwriters Laboratories (UL) (NRTL)
* CSA International (NRTL)
* ETL (INTERTEC) (NRTL)
* KEMA (Netherlands)
* SGS Group
* CQC (China Quality Certification Center)

In the US, electrical products are submitted to an NRTL, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), for compliance certification. UL evaluates the product against a Standard, usually an internal UL Standard that is based, in part, upon an existing industry standard. For example, parts of “UL 50 - Enclosures for Electrical Equipment” are based upon NEMA 250. If the product is found to comply with the applicable Standard, UL authorizes the manufacturer to apply the UL Mark as proof of compliance. Further, UL monitors the on-going production of the product to ensure continuing compliance with the Standard. 

In Europe, where self-certification is quite common, manufacturers may choose to have an independent third party verify their in-house testing, or perform an independent set of test procedures. In either event, it will be the manufacturer that issues a Manufacturer’s Declaration of Compliance. However, a Certificate of Conformity issued in the name of the testing agency on behalf of the manufacturer is becoming much more common. Unlike a UL Listed Product, there is no on-going inspection of manufacturing to verify continuing compliance.

The European equivalent of a UL Listing is a CE Mark. This marking indicates that a product complies with applicable European laws or directives regarding safety and consumer protection and is required for product importation into the EU. A UL mark does not carry legal weight by itself, but is clearly demanded by consumers, whereas CE marking is required by law.

There is a growing global demand for independent verification of manufacturers’ claims. Whether this is due to the increased complexity of our world, or the unfortunate instances of substandard and counterfeit products reaching the market, we do not know.  But, it is clear that more and more customers prefer the additional assurance that third party certification provides.
     
David Crooks is general manager at Fibox Enclosures and has been active in the industrial and OEM enclosure industry for 25 years, primarily working with NEMA and IEC designs and European manufacturers. He received his BSEE from CASE Western Reserve University. Email: dcrooks@fiboxusa.com.