Standards and Codes

Standards and Codes

The electrical industry is guided by a set of Standards and Codes for designing, manufacturing and supplying electrical equipment, and because we are part of a global economy, both domestic and international considerations must be included. There is no room for compromise when performance, quality, and safety are involved. Exacting standards and codes are established to provide a set of guidelines relative to the design, testing and manufacture of all types of electrical equipment.

Standards
A number of standards are established through a consensus process within a particular industry. Once the consensus is achieved, the standards are published by an independent standards organization, such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
Some standards are not required, but it may be impossible to sell a particular piece of equipment in a certain area of the world unless the relevant standard is met.

Today, many standards from different countries stipulate similar guidelines. A piece of equipment meeting one set of standards might very well meet another set with minor changes. In most instances, however, meeting the requirements of any set of standards must be proven and certified through testing.

Testing is frequently carried out at independent testing laboratories. For example, you are probably already familiar with UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.). A great deal of equipment is designed, built and tested in accordance with UL Standards. Appliances in your house display the UL approval. You may not know exactly what UL requires of that appliance, but the UL approval gives you confidence that it will function safely, if used correctly.

Codes
Electrical codes are sets of rules established by governing bodies which state:
• Type of equipment to be used in a given situation
• Appropriate use
• Installation procedures, including how and where it should be installed

Codes usually carry mandatory compliance, and can apply nationally or to a more limited area, such as a single local municipality. In any case, such codes can be used to facilitate the successful installation of equipment, or stop it dead in its tracks. Codes are powerful, and there must be a keen awareness of the various codes and their applications.

One of the best known set of codes is the NEC (National Electrical Code) , which works in conjunction with UL requirements. These codes are applicable throughout the United States, and regulate all electrical equipment used in power distribution systems, from the source to private residences, and even to the configuration of the circuits within homes.

As you learn about different types of electrical equipment, you will become very aware of the standards and codes that are most relevant to that particular type of equipment. For now, just be aware of their existence and importance.

Here is a list of the most common standards and codes (but it is far from all-inclusive):

• ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
• BSI (British Standards Association)
• CE Mark (Certified European Mark)
• CEC (Canadian Electric Code)
• CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
• IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
• ISO (International Standards Organization)
• NEC (National Electrical Code)
• NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association)
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)

Nameplates and Labels

A piece of electrical equipment usually has a nameplate affixed to it that provides valuable information about the equipment ratings and the conditions under which it can operate. In addition, electrical assemblies have nameplates to identify applicable standards and to determine appropriate applicable equipment. Make it a habit to look at nameplates and the information they provide.

Nameplates may be found in the following places:

• Attached to the equipment itself
• Attached to the packing material during shipment
• In literature relating to the equipment
Labels can serve a wide variety of purposes:
• Provide handling and installation instructions
• Provide operational information
• Act as a safety feature by issuing warnings and/or cautions concerning specific dangers or

problems

One of the most important uses of labels is as a safety feature. The best way to eliminate hazards is to design foolproof equipment. Because individuals have, from time to time, defeated the best efforts of designers to provide fail-safe designs, it is necessary to warn people about potential hazards.

Safety labels will contain a single enlarged word, such as DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, or NOTICE. The word used depends on the classification of the potential hazard.

Typical Look of Warning and Caution Safety Labels