Understanding the Global Applications of Standards
In today’s modern age, businesses and consumers alike expect a “frictionless experience” in everything they do, from the smallest to the largest of tasks—whether it be making a phone call or building a manufacturing plant. While the reality is that cellular towers often get jammed and construction projects are usually delayed, simplicity is craved.
In the industrial space, this simplicity has manifested in a growing pressure to become more globally nimble and productive—all at lower cost. In the complex back end of the electrical engineering industry, however, this pressure can actually create complications rather than efficiencies.
When it comes to the design, specification, installation and ongoing maintenance of electrical infrastructure at a global scale, there are numerous considerations to be made. Each country has its own rules, regulations and standards that dictate the manufacturing of electrical components, and they often do not align. As such, standardizing electrical infrastructure across global systems can be confusing, opening up risk. With growing numbers of companies leveraging a global footprint for various reasons, bridging the gap between differing standards to properly design and coordinate electrical systems is critical.
A Different Approach to Standards
There are two major standards bodies worldwide: the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ANSI is the prevailing standards body in North America and select other regions, while IEC predominates in much of the rest of the world. Each takes a different approach to developing and approving standards that, when applied to different stages of electrical systems development, drastically alters the ultimate design and testing of equipment region by region.
When taking equipment manufactured in one region and installing it in another, it is likely the equipment was designed against a standard that is not applicable to the new environment. As such, there are several details that must be taken into consideration.
ANSI standards are design-based. Because the organization must adhere to strict North American legal and liability code, often tied to building safety, they have a more rigorous set of rules to follow in the manufacturing design stage. As a result, there will be little variation in equipment from one manufacturer to the other. This standardization goes so far as to include the thickness of sheet metal, paint color, barriers, and other features.
Alternatively, because IEC standards are applicable worldwide, across many countries where local practices, codes and legal environments vary drastically, the standards set in place are more performance-based. This allows for greater flexibility at the design level, while making testing and performance requirements more stringent.
It is also important to note that ratings between IEC and ANSI are not necessarily the same or equivalent and equipment may not pass respective tests. This is the case with temperature rise testing and enclosure ratings.
Powerful Knowledge
With more and more companies expanding on a global scale, more organizations than ever before are considering standards outside their home base. Neither standards body is better or worse, but understanding the differences in each region is critical when designing and specifying electrical systems at a global level. Bridging the gap between differing standards is possible and can lead to successfully coordinating electrical systems early on in the design and installation stages.
