A guide to specify safety classification compliance in United States and Canada

Abstract

Standards change from year to year as new research findings and accident analyses can reveal frameworks in previous standards that require updating. For example, electrical safety standards such as National Electrical Code (NEC) and Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) are regularly updated to reduce risks and the energy efficiency requirements for electric motors have been tightened with new technologies. Standards are created when technology develops and needs and the operating environment change, and new tools are needed to solve recurring problems.

The aim is to facilitate the project design of electric motors at the level of external equipment and accessories, which, as a rule, provide information about the operation of the motor while it is running or during start-up. Project planning includes the design of the functionality of the components, mechanical and electrical properties, and what kind of environment it operates in. The Master's thesis idea is to clarify how components are selected for engines to meet the standards of the region. The goal is to make it easier for the mechanical engineer in their work and reduce the time it takes to select components for projects, so that engineer can focus on designing a customized engine. The project design tool helps the engineer to understand and reflect more about the compatibility of components on the machine and to ensure that the machine receives a certificate from a third-party issuer upon completion. The work focuses on U.S. and Canada safety certifications. Customers can claim Canadian Safety Certificates for a product even if the product is shipped to the United States. Thus, the work can also be applied in the United States.