How UL 698A Changes the Way a Control Panel Is Designed and Built in Oil and Gas
UL 698A design requirements for control panels change how panels are designed and built in oil and gas facilities.
If you manage operations in a gas plant or production site, you deal with risk every day. Some sites may contain flammable gases. Even when gas is not always present, it can appear without warning. That means one small mistake inside a control panel can have serious results.
Rob Huling, Panel Shop Manager at Design Solutions and Integration, works with these panels every day. His team builds control panels for hazardous locations where safety rules are strict and inspections are real. Understanding how UL 698A works helps you make better decisions about equipment that protects your site.
Hazard Risks Behind UL 698A Control Panels
Many oil and gas sites fall under Class I Division 2 control panel requirements. This means flammable gases may be present, but not all the time. Even so, the risk is real.
In these environments, you cannot treat a panel like a standard enclosure. One incorrect fuse or device can create ignition risk. As Rob explained, “Something as small as a fuse could cause a whole gas plant to explode.”
That is why UL 698A hazardous location panels require a higher level of review and discipline. It is not only about passing inspection. It is about protecting people and assets.
The challenge for operations managers is trust. You must trust that engineers rated every internal component correctly. You must trust that labeling matches the environment. And you must trust that no one cut corners during assembly.
A Practical Path Forward with UL 698A Design Requirements for Control Panels
UL 698A design requirements for control panels affect the enclosure, internal components, temperature ratings, and labeling.
First, enclosure selection matters. Class I Division 2 panels often require Type 4 or 4X enclosures. These protect against moisture and environmental exposure. In some cases, engineers specify explosion-proof conduit fittings or hubs as part of the overall explosion-proof control panel design.
Second, internal devices must be verified. Designers must verify that every component meets the classified location rating. Designers review device specifications before the build starts. Then the shop verifies again during assembly. As Rob shared, “We’ve got a lot of different eyes on our projects.” That layered review helps catch mistakes before a panel leaves the shop.
Third, engineers must calculate temperature ratings. Each device has a minimum and maximum temperature rating. The final panel rating must fall within the lowest high and highest low of all components. Rob noted that some panels his team builds are rated from minus 25 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius. If the environment falls outside that range, inspectors will not list the panel for that location.
Finally, labeling and documentation are critical. The UL marking includes voltage information and classification details such as Class I Division 2 and applicable gas groups. The panel shop packages all documentation with the panel before shipment.
Safer Operations with UL 698A Control Panel Standards
When UL 698A design requirements for control panels are followed correctly, the result is confidence.
Operations managers know the enclosure matches the environment. They know the internal parts meet Class I Division 2 control panel requirements. They know engineers calculated and verified the temperature ratings.
There are also inspection implications. UL inspectors can review panels at any time. If a non-rated part is found inside a hazardous location panel, fines can be significant. That is why disciplined explosion-proof control panel design and documentation protect more than equipment. They protect your operation from compliance risk.
In high-activity regions such as Texas, demand for UL 698A hazardous location panels continues to grow. As gas composition and operating environments vary, classified panels are often required for new builds and facility upgrades.
When panels are designed correctly from the start, field teams avoid costly rework. Installation moves faster. Startup delays decrease. Most importantly, ignition risk is reduced.
Conclusion
UL 698A design requirements for control panels are not a minor specification detail. They shape enclosure selection, internal device approval, temperature limits, labeling, and final inspection.
For oil and gas operations managers, understanding these requirements helps you ask better questions during procurement and design review. It also helps you evaluate whether a panel shop truly understands hazardous location work.
As Rob Huling made clear, these builds demand precision and accountability. In classified environments, there is no room for guesswork. Following UL 698A design requirements for control panels is about doing the job right before the panel ever reaches your site.
About the Guest
Rob Huling is the Panel Shop Manager at Design Solutions and Integration. He oversees hazardous location control panel builds and works closely with designers to ensure every panel meets UL requirements before shipment.
About Design Solutions and Integration
Design Solutions and Integration (DSI) is a faith-based, 100% employee-owned company with over 25 years of experience serving the oil and gas industry. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, DSI operates six regional sites, offering automation, electrical, fabrication, and field services designed to help energy producers modernize safely and efficiently. Learn more at www.relyondsi.com.