What is UL 658 ?

Title: What is UL 658: The Standard for Safety of Industrial Control Equipment?

The safety of industrial control equipment (ICCE) is of utmost importance in various industries such as manufacturing, automation, and process control. The standard that outlines the guidelines and requirements for the design and manufacturing of these equipment is UL 65This standard is developed and published by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent global safety science company.

UL 658's Purpose:

UL 658 is primarily designed to ensure the safety and reliability of industrial control equipment. It provides manufacturers with guidelines on how to design and construct their equipment to meet specific safety requirements, including electrical, mechanical, and fire safety standards. The main purpose of UL 658 is to prevent equipment failures, safety incidents, and human injury caused by electrical equipment.

Requirements of UL 658:

UL 658 offers a range of requirements for the design and construction of industrial control equipment. The standard covers various aspects of electrical, mechanical, and fire safety. The requirements are divided into four categories: electrical, mechanical, fire, and performance.

Electrical Safety:

The electrical safety requirements in UL 658 include requirements for electrical conductivity, insulation, and circuit breakers. The standard specifies the use of insulated parts, , and grounding to ensure the safety of workers and others in the electrical circuit.

Mechanical Safety:

The mechanical safety requirements in UL 658 include requirements for the design, construction, and testing of equipment to ensure its reliability and stability. The standard specifies the use of safe operating procedures, failure modes, and safe operating limits to prevent equipment from failing or causing harm.

Fire Safety:

The fire safety requirements in UL 658 include requirements for fire protection, fire alarms, and fire suppression systems. The standard specifies the use of fire-resistant materials, fireproof components, and fire alarm systems to prevent equipment from igniting or causing a fire.

Performance:

The performance requirements in UL 658 include requirements for the efficiency, reliability, and accuracy of equipment. The standard specifies the use of test procedures, performance metrics, and failure modes to ensure that equipment performs as intended.

Conclusion:

UL 658 is an essential standard for the design and manufacturing of industrial control equipment. It provides manufacturers with guidelines on how to design and construct their equipment to meet specific safety requirements. By adhering to the guidelines set forth in UL 658, manufacturers can ensure the safety and reliability of their products, which is vital for the well-being of workers, customers, and the environment.