European Wiring
European Wiring
(OP)
Hi there,
Our electrical shop currently is producing UL listed and conforming to NEC 2005 industrial panels with controls for our heavy duty conveyor systems. Typically our conveyors are linked into other controls systems and so we try and not play the role of the systems integrator, rather just provide controls for our hydraulic power unit and floor.
We produce panels for US, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and China without any problems.
Currently our power units and controls are outsourced for European jobs because of local wiring codes and regulations. I'm in question to what we need to do in order to bring that work back to our panel shop.
The format for the drawings I've seen are very different. Where can I learn this format? Is it necessary?
If we use strictly TUV listed devices, will this be suitable for installation in the European market?
What other documents are similar to NEC and would we need to comform to, in order to start producing panels for installation in Europe?
Any help or direction is wonderful. Thank you.
Our electrical shop currently is producing UL listed and conforming to NEC 2005 industrial panels with controls for our heavy duty conveyor systems. Typically our conveyors are linked into other controls systems and so we try and not play the role of the systems integrator, rather just provide controls for our hydraulic power unit and floor.
We produce panels for US, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and China without any problems.
Currently our power units and controls are outsourced for European jobs because of local wiring codes and regulations. I'm in question to what we need to do in order to bring that work back to our panel shop.
The format for the drawings I've seen are very different. Where can I learn this format? Is it necessary?
If we use strictly TUV listed devices, will this be suitable for installation in the European market?
What other documents are similar to NEC and would we need to comform to, in order to start producing panels for installation in Europe?
Any help or direction is wonderful. Thank you.





RE: European Wiring
Low Voltage Directive
Machinery Directive
Then there is the 'CE Marking' process to follow
And this is before you reach individual country-specific requirements.
No, just relying on TUV components won't keep you out of the weeds. You can fall foul of a lot of legislation - it is a long time since I was involved in product development, that was in the early 90's and I don't think it has gotten any easier since. Could you pay for the design to be carried out by a European design house and manufacture in your own facility?
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: European Wiring
The idea is to just teach the engineer (me :-p) how to do it.
I'll check out those directives.
Do you mean to tell me that even if we have the CE Marking on our product, we will need to then apply local electrical codes? Our product and panel is stand-alone with the exception of remote PLC inputs in some cases to control the conveyor. So all we need from the plant is a power drop and field wiring to the sensors. Local electricians doing the installtion should be up on their own code...?
RE: European Wiring
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: European Wiring
regards
RE: European Wiring
The IEC & BS EN versions will be basically the same with minor regional differences, for example before the cable colours where standardised for 3 phase these would have been in the regional variations.
If you meet the requirements of BS EN 60204-1 the product will be acceptable in other EU countries in most cases.
The documents ScottyUK mentioned are not standards but in effect EU law which in turn is incorporated in each countries law. They say at a very high level what you must achieve but not how to do it. ScottyUK is right in saying that you do not have to comply with the standards but in most cases it is the easiest way of showing complience with the directives.
I think you are right to want to understand the requirements and do it yourself. We have just been working with a large US organisation. They are a good customer for us in the US and now they are expanding in the UK they want to use their own engineering team to design the UK facilities. We have had engineers from the UK over in the US explaining the differences. The areas they have had most problems with are a)Safety, b)Power distribution and c)Motor Starting.
Hope this is of help
John
RE: European Wiring
RE: European Wiring
Thanks for all the input!
RE: European Wiring
http://www.techintl.com/home_US.cfm
They have all the Euro standards and knowledge base. We found the cost of using them was worth what it would otherwise have cost us in time and futility.
David Baird
Sr Controls Designer
EET degree.
Journeyman Electrician.