Comparing International Standards to North American Standards for Large Adjustable-Speed Drives

The world of legal responsibility, liability, and safety is driving the industry to have equipment built to an increasing number of standards. End users and specifiers often require adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) to be in compliance with many standards like the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), American National Standards Institute, Canadian Standards Association, Underwriters Laboratory, etc. This is done to insure that they are protected in buying products that are built to high standards. Depending on the specifier, European and/or North American standards may be referenced and required to be met. However, what is required to meet these standards is often not understood. Sometimes, the details of the standards are in conflict with each other. This paper will attempt to compare major areas of the existing standards for similarity and differences. European IEC standards will be compared to the most applicable North American standards. The goal of this paper will be to help the readers better understand what the standards mean to their plants and how they can then include standards in their specifications that will best meet their requirement, yet do so in a cost-effective manner.