Heating Products & UL Certification: What You Need to Know

MTR working on a control panel

At Tempco, we know that safety and reliability are key when designing and building heating products. That’s why top third-party agencies have tested and approved most of the products you’ll find on our website. These certifications make sure our products meet safety standards for heating elements. This helps engineers trust our machines and systems.

Key Certifications for Tempco Products & Processes

Tempco has several important certifications that show our commitment to safety and quality, including:

Canadian Standard Association (CSA Group Standards) - For Canada
Factory Mutual Laboratories (FM Approval) - For fire safety
Underwriters Laboratory Certifications (UL) -For electrical and heating products
- UL1030 Sheathed Heating Elements
- UL499 Electric Heating Appliances
- UL508A Control Panel Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification (for quality management)

These certifications ensure we meet heating element safety standards and perform reliably. They also meet the requirements, rules and guidelines for different uses.

Don't see the certification you need listed. Just ask. The certifications listed above are just the beginning. We also meet requirements for UL698A for Intrinsically Safe Circuit Extensions and UL 1203 regarding Hazardous Locations, among others. And we provide CE Marking and RoHS Compliance. Check out all of our capabilities.

Tempco Silicone Rubber Heaters

Tempco Strip Heaters with Agency Approvals
Tempco Strip Heaters

UL499: Compliance for Electric Heating Appliances

UL499 is an important certification for electric heating appliances. It covers products like space heaters, ovens, and other devices that generate heat using electricity. According to UL499, “For the purposes of this standard, a heating appliance is defined as an electrically energized product that directly or indirectly generates heat to perform its intended function.”1

If your product is UL499-certified, it means it has passed strict tests to meet safety requirements. For engineers, using UL499 recognized components ensures that the products will be safe and reliable in larger systems, such as machinery or equipment that require a UL listing.

The purpose of having a recognized part is to ensure that all aspects of the equipment adhere to the standards set forth by UL to make safe, reliable products. This includes:

designs
testing procedures
materials
manufacturing processes

Not all heaters are the same. However, when we compare heaters that meet the same UL499 standard, we find more similarities than differences at Tempco. Tempco manufactures each UL Recognized product line with its own section or file that describes how to make each product. Our Engineering Department designs each heater following these UL guidelines.

Tempco uses ISO standards across the company. This helps document every procedure and work instruction for all processes. This creates clear results for the company. It starts with the ordering process and ends with the customer getting a Tempco heater.

UL508A: Safety for Industrial Control Panels

UL 508A certification pertains to the construction of industrial control panels. This is a Listing Mark for an end-use application. Electrical inspectors look for this mark as evidence of third-party certification because it reflects compliance to acceptable safety standards. Because Tempco is a custom heater manufacturer, the control panels we build are typically designed for specific applications that, many times, include controlling Tempco heaters.

There are strict guidelines for many aspects of designing control panels such as:

proper component selection
wiring methods
wiring ratings
spacing constraints

Additionally, there are standards within the standard. Unlike UL499, it is not enough to just follow and document all of these things. In order for Tempco to sell a certified UL508A panel, we must have a UL-certified Manufacturer Technical Representative (MTR) – Tempo actually has three MTRs.

Every MTR must pass a UL 508A Standard exam and retest every 3 years. It offers assurance that the control panels are designed properly. A UL label signifies that the panel builder has met the requirements of UL508A, and that the panels are subject to inspection by a UL field representative.

A UL Follow-Up Service representative inspects Tempco’s facilities periodically and reviews the panels per the UL508A Procedure. If the panels are found to be compliant, Tempco is permitted to continue production and apply the UL Label. Having an MTR qualifies builders of industrial control panels to apply UL Certification Marks without needing an examination for each new design. This reduces the time to market and saves money, benefits that Tempco passes on to our customers.

1 “UL 499: UL Standard for Safety Electric Heating Appliances” IHS Market, November 7, 2014, global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?document_name=UL%20499&item_s_key=00097123

Tempco Control Panel

Tempco MTR and Control Panel

ISO 9001:2015 Certification for Quality

Tempco is also ISO 9001:2015 certified, which means we follow high standards for quality management. This certification ensures that our manufacturing processes are well-documented and consistently meet customer expectations. When you use our products, you can trust that they have been made with high quality, and the manufacturing process is efficient and controlled.

FM Approval: Fire Safety and Reliability

For some of our products, we hold FM Approval. This certification is critical for products that need to meet high fire safety standards. Engineers designing systems with FM-approved products know they are working with materials that are safe and have been rigorously tested for fire prevention and safety.

Why Third-Party Certifications Matter

When designing and building machines, it’s important to use heating equipment and components that are regulatory compliant. Products with third-party certifications like UL499, UL508A, and FM Approval help ensure that the equipment meets safety standards. This means fewer risks, safer products, and more reliable systems for your customers.

Tempco's Commitment to Quality and Safety

By using products that meet these strict certifications, you can feel confident that your machines are up to code and built to last. At Tempco, we think that meeting and exceeding industry standards is more than just a rule. It shows our commitment to providing the best heating solutions for our customers. By working with recognized third-party agencies, we ensure that every product we manufacture is built for performance, safety, and reliability.

Whether you need silicone rubber heaters, strip heaters, or custom control panels, Tempco follows strict standards. This ensures you get products that meet and exceed industry requirements. Our third-party certifications provide confidence, enabling manufacturers and design engineers to integrate Tempco products into their systems with assurance.

Let us help you create safe, efficient, and high-quality products that meet the highest standards in the industry.