UL/CSA electric motors

UL/CSA electric motors:

can you answer the most frequently asked questions?

Electric motors designed in Europe but having a U.S. destination cannot, in fact, be CE marked but are required to comply with specific standards applicable in the design of electric motors for the U.S. and Canada, which is why they are referred to as UL/CSA electric motors.

Symbology:

WE GIVE ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT UL/CSA ELECTRIC MOTORS.

1. WHICH SITUATION IS BEST FOR THE COMPANY?

The company is free to choose any Body that deals with product certification in the USA (so-called NRTLs). For example, “CSA” is not the only possible choice for Canada but they must necessarily be accredited by the SCC (Standards Council of Canada).

For products destined for the U.S. market, however, it is best to take into account that “UL” is probably the most well-known and accepted NRTL mark everywhere.

What does the notoriety of the Certification entail? When choosing the NRTL for one’s products, it is important to consider whether the mark, if not well-known, is well accepted by the product’s customers. For example, CSA may be preferred in Canada by some customers over other bodies; likewise, some types of products may be marked UL and CSA simultaneously to ensure maximum acceptance by any customer.

2. Is there complete peace of mind with only UL Certification or another NRTL?

UL approval shows that the manufacturer has seriously addressed the qualification of the product for sale in the U.S. market. However, in a potential lawsuit for product liability or damage caused by the defective product, you may find that there are potential hazards in the product that are not covered in the standard used for qualification.

Different NRTLs may, in fact, propose different provisions for evaluating the same product. Regardless of the qualifications, approvals, and marks acquired, a proper technical analysis of the product is the only useful thing to do and can help in the event of legal litigation in the United States.

3. What should I do then as a manufacturer of industrial machinery?

We have seen that certification by an NRTL alone is not sufficient to ensure the safety of the machine/appliance/product, since some of the potential risks of the product may not be covered in the standards applied for qualification by an NRTL. In addition, different NRTLs might propose different standards for evaluating the same product. U.S. law requires that the product placed on the market must be safe. Therefore, regardless of the approvals received and trademarks acquired, a proper technical analysis is appropriate and can help in case of legal disputes. Accordingly, the manufacturer must perform an exhaustive technical analysis of the machine: analysis of mechanical and electrical hazards, exactly as for CE marking according to the ATEX Machinery Directive.

If this risk analysis is to remain confidential-so that an opposing lawyer would not be able to acquire it in case of litigation-it is necessary for a lawyer to apply a confidentiality formula to the documents.

A few tips for Certification

• Make an insurance policy for product liability and safety. The policy should, of course, cover liability in the markets of interest, U.S. and Canadian.
• Check if OTHER REGULATIONS or standards (including local ones) may apply to your machine. For example, RoHS on restrictions on the use of hazardous substances applies in California, check NEMA (National Electrical US Manufacturers Association), CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) possibly by asking your local vendor or customer.

Choose whether to get UL approval, or from another NRTL, and what type of approval. In fact, you may decide, for example, whether to seek type approval or field evaluation for reasons of time or cost.

Type approval, by NRTL, is suitable for high-volume production and not convenient for low volumes of product or a single machine. In fact, the certification route is more costly because it requires regular inspections, as required by OSHA standards.

Field evaluation, on the other hand, requires only an initial inspection, although-in the case of a later manufactured machine-there will need to be a re-inspection.

SO REMEMBER: Thorough technical verification of the machine design can avoid costly errors that are difficult to fix later, especially if the problems involve components used in the construction, when the machine will be audited by an NRTL. Consider all the SAFETY TESTS that may be required.

4. What materials should I prepare for the technical evaluation?

Generally, a comprehensive collection of technical documentation must be made, which may be:

• list of safety-critical components and materials and possibly their MSDSs,
• mechanical layouts,
• photos of the machine,
• certification statements of the components,
• wiring diagrams,
• operation and maintenance manuals.