{"id":12569,"date":"2021-10-08T16:49:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T14:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b3v39j.myrdbx.io\/ul-wissen\/ul-blog\/is-it-permissible-to-use-components-without-ul-certification-in-a-ul-compliant-control-cabinet\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T18:54:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T16:54:14","slug":"is-it-permissible-to-use-components-without-ul-certification-in-a-ul-compliant-control-cabinet","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/krayer.de\/en\/ul-wissen\/ul-blog\/is-it-permissible-to-use-components-without-ul-certification-in-a-ul-compliant-control-cabinet\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it permissible to use components without UL certification in a UL-compliant control cabinet?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many components have been tried and tested over the years and provide valuable service in EU control cabinets. It therefore seems reasonable to consider using them in UL control cabinets as well. However, this can quickly lead to problems, because components for the North American market require special UL certification, which is granted by UL ( Underwriters Laboratories Inc.<\/a> ). <\/p>\n\n

\n
<\/div>
<\/div>

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> More Information<\/a> <\/div>

Unblock content<\/a> Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n

What is behind UL certification?<\/h2>\n\n

In order to put control cabinets into service, they must be certified<\/strong> or undergo a comprehensive evaluation<\/strong> before use. However, this can quickly lead to problems, as CE certification is not recognized in the United States. Instead, U.S. authorities rely on UL certification. Certification<\/strong> by the independent organization Underwriters Laboratories<\/strong>\u2014known as UL certification<\/strong>\u2014is held in particularly high regard in all U.S. states. <\/p>\n\n

\"UL-certified<\/figure>\n\n

Is UL certification required?<\/h2>\n\n

As a government agency<\/strong>, the <\/strong>OSHA<\/strong><\/a> \u2014the <\/strong>U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration\u2014requires that all electrical equipment and systems<\/strong> be either certified<\/strong> or undergo a thorough inspection<\/strong>. This requirement is based on 29 CFR 1910.303 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act<\/strong>, a federal law governing occupational safety and health regulations. <\/p>\n\n

Due to the federal system in the United States<\/strong>, some states have additional requirements<\/strong> for the approval of products<\/strong>, machinery, and equipment. Compliance with the applicable regulations is demonstrated by a certification mark<\/strong>. UL approval<\/strong> is typically granted through the UL Listing Label<\/strong> for representative samples of a product<\/strong> or the UL Recognized Label<\/strong> for the approval of individual components or parts with specific usage or installation requirements.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Is UL certification required by law?<\/h3>\n\n

This might lead one to believe that UL certification<\/strong> is required by law<\/strong>, but that is not the case. The listing label<\/strong> can be affixed by any accredited testing laboratory. However, Underwriters Laboratories<\/strong> is recognized<\/strong> not only by OSHA but also by all U.S. states as an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory<\/a><\/strong>)<\/a>, which means that UL certification<\/a> carries comparable weight<\/strong> and is recognized as a mark of product safety<\/strong> even beyond the United States. <\/p>\n\n

\"Component<\/figure>\n\n

How does a product obtain certification from Underwriters Laboratories?<\/h2>\n\n

In order for an electronic product<\/strong> to be certified with a UL mark<\/strong>, it must first be tested by an NRTL in accordance with the requirements of the applicable standards. This inspection is very comprehensive<\/strong> and covers fire and electric shock hazards, as well as explosion risks in <\/strong>hazardous locations. Since UL is recognized throughout the United States as a qualified testing laboratory<\/strong>, a UL mark provides particular assurance<\/strong> of approval by the relevant regulatory authority. <\/p>\n\n

UL Certification for the Krayer Control Cabinet<\/h3>\n\n

As specialists in UL-compliant control cabinet construction<\/a><\/strong>, we build our cabinets<\/strong> in accordance with current standards and certify them<\/strong> ourselves<\/strong> following thorough testing<\/strong>. This eliminates the need for the costly and time-consuming certification process<\/strong> conducted by an NRTL. In order to be authorized to affix the labels to our control cabinets, we first had to obtain certification ourselves<\/strong> and pass a rigorous examination<\/strong>. The certificates<\/a> we have earned confirm that we possess the necessary qualifications to manufacture, test, and certify control cabinets in accordance with UL standards. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

This includes extensive knowledge of the use of approved materials, components, and parts<\/strong>. For example, all parts intended for use in a control cabinet bearing the UL mark generally require UL certification<\/strong> as well .<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Is it permissible to use components without UL certification in a UL-compliant control cabinet?<\/h2>\n\n

Obtaining UL certification can therefore be quite time-consuming. So it stands to reason to install components that are already CE-certified in UL control cabinets. After all, our European standards are strict, and these components have been tried and tested over many years and perform reliably in EU control cabinets. We strongly advise against this, however, because due to the specific safety requirements<\/strong> in the U.S., these components must have special certification<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Even though there is no law<\/strong> that mandates UL certification<\/strong>, in practice<\/strong> it is nearly impossible<\/strong> to put control cabinets containing components without UL approval into service<\/strong>. There is a<\/strong> strong correlation between UL\u2019s standards and testing procedures<\/strong> and the regulations of other U.S. institutions. For example, the National Electrical Code (NEC)\u2014the safety standard for electrical installations in the U.S.\u2014references UL standards and takes them into account in its ongoing development. <\/p>\n\n

If a component is a custom-made, specialized, or prototype product, a Limited Production Certification<\/a> is recommended. This certification, which complies with international industry standards, significantly simplifies the export process and market entry into the United States. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n
\n

Components without UL certification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If <\/strong>a component<\/strong>has <\/strong> neither “UL Listed”<\/strong> nor “UL Recognized” certification <\/strong>, it can generally be concluded that this component <\/strong>must not be used in a UL-certified control cabinet <\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n