1st online software calculates UL508A short-circuit current rating

By Control Engineering Staff August 3, 2006

St. Louis, MO — Cooper-Bussman says it’s offering the first software for complying with UL508A SCCR (short-circuit current rating) requirements. OSCAR (which stands for Online Short-circuit Current UL508A Rating) helps comply with regulations governing industrial panels, equipment, and assemblies. It should help end-users, panel-builders, system integrators, machine builders, maintenance staff, inspectors, and others affected by the new regulation.

The software, a $199.99 annual online subscription, guides users through entering panel components for the supply, feeder, sub-feeder, and branch circuits. Based on component types or part numbers (more than 50,000 are included from major manufacturers), it determines the assembly SCCR according to UL508A Supplement SB. As values are entered, the user can watch the rating change in the upper right portion of the screen.

“We were on the committee that helped write the UL requirement and have been helping customers with this for some time,” says Todd F. Lottmann, product manager, services for Cooper Bussmann. “OSCAR’s an online tool, so we add parts constantly and adapt the software as needed to changes in regulations,” he says. If a part isn’t available, a screen prompts entry of information the tool requires. Output is a full spreadsheet documenting the rating, one of the UL requirements. Lottmann says beta users suggested adding the reading and more online descriptions. Calculating a rating for a three power-circuit panel could take two days using manual methods; using the software takes under 10 minutes. An eight-machine array of panels could take weeks manually; the software delivered a 157-circuit report, a 370-line spreadsheet, in under two days, he says.

If a resulting SCCR is too low, the company offers services to help improve it. Products, training, and lab testing also are offered.

Click here to register to view a Control Engineering , Schneider Electric, and UL webcast, “Understanding the Impact of UL 508A.”

For a Plant Engineering and Cooper Bussman webcast on UL508A, click here .

—Edited by Mark T. Hoske , Control Engineering editor in chief