What does a UL control panel builder do?

A control panel builder designs, assembles, and tests electrical panels that control industrial equipment and processes, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

What types of UL control panels does ACI build?

ACI builds a full range of control panels, including standard industrial control panels, HMI and operator stations, remote I/O panels, motor control centers (MCCs), large consoles, portable equipment panels, and custom enclosures. Panel types include general-purpose (UL 508A), hazardous location (UL 698A, UL NNNY), intrinsically safe (IS), and purged and pressurized configurations.

What is a UL 508A panel shop?

A UL 508A panel shop is a control panel fabrication facility that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories to build industrial control panels to the UL 508A standard. This certification covers general-purpose panels used in non-hazardous industrial locations and requires the shop to use UL Listed components, follow specific wiring and construction requirements, and apply the UL Listed mark to panels it builds—without requiring a third-party inspection for each panel.

What is the difference between UL 508A and UL 698A?

UL 508A is the baseline standard for general-purpose industrial control panels installed in non-hazardous locations. UL 698A is a supplemental standard that applies when a panel in a non-hazardous location has intrinsically safe circuit extensions into hazardous (classified) locations—such as connections to field instruments in areas with flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust. All UL 698A panels must also meet UL 508A requirements.

Can ACI handle both panel design and fabrication?

Yes. ACI provides full-service panel design followed by in-house fabrication and testing. Customers can engage ACI for design only, fabrication from existing drawings, or the complete design-build package.

Can ACI integrate the panels it builds with a larger control system?

Yes. ACI's panel fabrication team works directly alongside our control system engineering team, which handles PLC programming, HMI integration, electrical installation, and start-up services. This integrated approach means your panel is designed and built to connect seamlessly with the broader control system.

What industries does ACI build UL control panels for?

ACI has built UL control panels for manufacturers and OEMs across a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, packaging, automotive, energy, glass, paper, plastics, steel, vinyl and film, and wire and cable manufacturing.

How are UL control panels tested before delivery?

Panels undergo point-to-point testing, tug testing, component inspection, and factory acceptance testing (FAT) to ensure performance and reliability.

What does factory acceptance testing (FAT) mean for a UL control panel?

Factory acceptance testing (FAT) is a structured test procedure performed at the panel builder's facility before a panel ships to the customer. ACI's FAT process includes a final inspection of all components, point-to-point testing of every wire, tug testing for connection integrity, and full power tests.

Can you build panels for hazardous environments?

Yes. ACI specializes in UL 698A, intrinsically safe, and purged/pressurized panels for hazardous locations.

Do you support OEM panel production?

Yes. We regularly build panels for OEMs, supporting both one-off projects and high-volume production runs.

Custom UL Control Panel Builder – Design & Fabrication

UL-Certified Control Panel Builder for Industrial & OEM Applications

ACI's skilled craftsmen offer custom UL control panel fabrication for manufacturers and OEMs across the United States. We are known for precise wiring and documentation, point-to-point testing, on-time delivery, and competitive pricing. OEMs nationwide rely on us to produce panels of exceptional quality at an affordable price.

Whether we design or build single panels, multiple panels, large consoles, or integrate MCCs into custom control solutions, we guarantee high quality and reliability in design and production. Our team of expert panel designers and builders takes pride in producing panels with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that our panels are built for ongoing dependability in the field.

What sets ACI apart: Most control panel builders are certified for general-purpose UL 508A panels. Very few have the expertise to build to UL 698A, UL NNNY, intrinsically safe (IS), and purged and pressurized specifications. ACI does all of it, under one roof.

Our UL Control Panel Fabrication Services

ACI can handle every phase of your panel project from design through delivery .

Custom UL Panel Design

Our engineers design any control panel, console, or MCC to your exact specifications using the latest version of AutoCAD Electrical. Every design package includes:

Panel layouts and enclosure specifications
Detailed bills of material with vendor part numbers
Network architecture and P&IDs
Clear, easy-to-read wiring diagrams with cross-referencing and detailed notes
UL panel classification design for any required standard

UL Control Panel Fabrication & Assembly

ACI's craftsmen build panels of all types and sizes—from single standalone enclosures to large multi-panel installations. Our 12,000-square-foot shop includes a dedicated testing and staging area for power tests and factory acceptance testing (FATs). Panel types we fabricate include:

Standard industrial UL control panels
HMI panels and operator stations
Remote I/O panels
Motor control centers (MCCs)
Large consoles and custom enclosures
Portable equipment panels

In-House Testing & Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

No panel leaves our shop without passing a comprehensive test procedure performed by our engineering team. This includes:

Final inspection of all components
Point-to-point testing of every wire
Tug testing for connection integrity
Power tests and full factory acceptance testing (FAT)

This rigorous process reduces installation time and start-up time in the field—so your team hits the ground running.

UL Certifications We Build To

UL 508A

General-purpose industrial control panels for non-hazardous locations

UL 698A

Panels in ordinary locations with intrinsically safe circuit extensions into hazardous (classified) locations

UL NNNY

More stringent standard for panels in Class I hazardous areas with flammable gas, liquid, or vapor present

Intrinsically Safe (IS)

Panels designed to prevent ignition in explosive atmospheres by limiting energy in field circuits

Purged & Pressurized

Panels using positive pressure to exclude hazardous gases from the enclosure interior

Hazardous Location Expertise

ACI has many years of experience designing and building panels for pharmaceutical pilot plants, chemical processing facilities, and other hazardous environments—as both purged and pressurized systems and intrinsically safe (IS) configurations.

Real-World Example: A recent project for a major pharmaceutical company required 67 panels of varying sizes—including main, HMI, remote I/O, and portable equipment panels—with the majority built to purged and pressurized or intrinsically safe (IS) specifications. ACI's engineering and installation teams were involved from initial design through start-up, delivering a successful project closeout on schedule.

Why Choose ACI as Your UL Control Panel Builder?

Manufacturers and OEMs across the country choose ACI because we treat every panel build as our own—with the technical depth, certification breadth, and follow-through that demanding industrial applications require.

UL 508A, 698A, NNNY, IS, & purged certified

One shop handles general-purpose and hazardous-location panels—no need to source multiple vendors

12,000 SF dedicated fabrication facility

In-house capacity for single panels to large multi-panel projects

100% in-house FAT testing

Every panel is fully tested before it ships, reducing field installation time

Expert panel designers on staff

AutoCAD Electrical design packages included—not outsourced

OEM-proven track record

Numerous OEMs rely on ACI for ongoing panel production and nationwide shipping

Integrated engineering team

Panel builds connect directly to ACI's control systems and electrical contracting services

In business since 1995

Decades of proven performance across a wide range of industries

UL Electrical Control Panel Fabrication: FAQs

What does a UL control panel builder do?

A control panel builder designs, assembles, and tests electrical panels that control industrial equipment and processes, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
What types of UL control panels does ACI build?

ACI builds a full range of control panels, including standard industrial control panels, HMI and operator stations, remote I/O panels, motor control centers (MCCs), large consoles, portable equipment panels, and custom enclosures. Panel types include general-purpose (UL 508A), hazardous location (UL 698A, UL NNNY), intrinsically safe (IS), and purged and pressurized configurations.
What is a UL 508A panel shop?

A UL 508A panel shop is a control panel fabrication facility that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories to build industrial control panels to the UL 508A standard. This certification covers general-purpose panels used in non-hazardous industrial locations and requires the shop to use UL Listed components, follow specific wiring and construction requirements, and apply the UL Listed mark to panels it builds—without requiring a third-party inspection for each panel.
What is the difference between UL 508A and UL 698A?

UL 508A is the baseline standard for general-purpose industrial control panels installed in non-hazardous locations. UL 698A is a supplemental standard that applies when a panel in a non-hazardous location has intrinsically safe circuit extensions into hazardous (classified) locations—such as connections to field instruments in areas with flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust. All UL 698A panels must also meet UL 508A requirements.
Can ACI handle both panel design and fabrication?

Yes. ACI provides full-service panel design followed by in-house fabrication and testing. Customers can engage ACI for design only, fabrication from existing drawings, or the complete design-build package.
Can ACI integrate the panels it builds with a larger control system?

Yes. ACI's panel fabrication team works directly alongside our control system engineering team, which handles PLC programming, HMI integration, electrical installation, and start-up services. This integrated approach means your panel is designed and built to connect seamlessly with the broader control system.
What industries does ACI build UL control panels for?

ACI has built UL control panels for manufacturers and OEMs across a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, packaging, automotive, energy, glass, paper, plastics, steel, vinyl and film, and wire and cable manufacturing.
How are UL control panels tested before delivery?

Panels undergo point-to-point testing, tug testing, component inspection, and factory acceptance testing (FAT) to ensure performance and reliability.
What does factory acceptance testing (FAT) mean for a UL control panel?

Factory acceptance testing (FAT) is a structured test procedure performed at the panel builder's facility before a panel ships to the customer. ACI's FAT process includes a final inspection of all components, point-to-point testing of every wire, tug testing for connection integrity, and full power tests.
Can you build panels for hazardous environments?

Yes. ACI specializes in UL 698A, intrinsically safe, and purged/pressurized panels for hazardous locations.
Do you support OEM panel production?

Yes. We regularly build panels for OEMs, supporting both one-off projects and high-volume production runs.

Get Started with Custom UL Control Panels

Talk to Our Team About Your Project

Custom UL Control Panel Design & Fabrication

UL-Certified Control Panel Builder for Industrial & OEM Applications