Approved, Listed, And Field Evaluated - Requirements For Low Voltage Electrical Equipment Used For Power Distribution And Motor Control

The purpose of this paper is to examine the various laws, regulations, and codes that are applicable to the approval of low-voltage electrical power distribution and motor control equipment. Electrical equipment needs to be approved to help ensure that is safe for its intended function. If equipment is not approved, it would result in delays in the execution of a project. This paper is primarily focused on requirements within the United States of America, with the expectation that users in other countries will then be able to identify the requirements in other countries. The paper helps to answer frequent questions such as: What does it mean for equipment to be approved? Does all electrical equipment need to be approved? Who can give approval for equipment? Is a Listing the same as approval? What to do if equipment is not approved? If a change is made in the field to equipment that is listed or labeled, does that equipment require field evaluation in order to be approved? If so, who can provide that evaluation? What are the consequences of using custom “homemade” equipment that is not listed?At the conclusion of the paper, the user should be able to answer each of those questions and be better aware of the approval requirements for low-voltage electrical equipment.