A Guide to Custom and OEM Electrical Products for Specialized Applications

While off-the-shelf electrical components suffice for many needs, custom engineering provides specialized electrical solutions tailored to unique equipment, facility, or process requirements. This guide examines the benefits of customization and working with OEMs for electrical enclosures, switchgear, controls, and more.

As an engineering-focused electromechanical OEM, GRL provides:

  • In-house electrical, mechanical, and software engineering
  • Custom product design, prototyping, and manufacturing
  • UL 508A certified panel fabrication shop
  • Complete quality system with design control
  • Global supply chain services
  • Responsive support throughout the product lifecycle

Let us help engineer your optimal power distribution, control, and protection solution. Contact us today to discuss your project!

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Introduction

Custom or purpose-built electrical devices offer:

  • Form factors optimized to fit product constraints
  • Performance enhancements not possible in standard products
  • Features that simplify integration and use
  • Reliability improvements over general commercial equipment
  • Aesthetic and branding tailored to application

Work with engineering-focused OEMs to create specialized electrical solutions when off-the-shelf will not suffice.

When Custom Electrical Equipment is Needed

Consider custom electrical when:

  • Standard form factors do not physically fit
  • Unique voltages, currents, or environments are involved
  • Improved safety, efficiency, or reliability is required
  • Optimized integration with other technology is needed
  • Reduced complexity or consolidated functionality is desired

The benefits justify the incremental costs.

Types of Custom Electrical Products

Common custom electrical items include:

  • Protective enclosures with special dimensions
  • Custom transformers optimized for unusual voltages
  • Busbars with non-standard shapes or tap-off points
  • Consolidated control panels unique to machinery
  • Special coated panels for corrosive environments
  • Switchgear tailored to capacity and monitoring needs

If an electrical system has unique demands, customization can help address them.

Custom Electrical Product Design Process

The design process involves:

  • Specifying performance requirements and constraints
  • Engineering conceptual solutions through CAD
  • Simulating designs using modeling software
  • Prototyping and testing concepts to optimize them
  • Developing product-specific tooling as needed
  • Documenting the design thoroughly
  • Working through product certifications

Custom design expertise and modern tools enable specialized products previously not feasible.

Selecting an Electrical OEM Partner

Look for OEMs with:

  • Long track record serving the industry
  • In-house engineering design expertise
  • Focus on quality manufacturing
  • UL panel shop and other key certifications
  • Prototyping, testing, and inspection capabilities
  • Global supply chain experience
  • Responsive customer service team

Leverage their knowledge, standards, and supply chain infrastructure.

Quality in Custom Electrical Manufacturing

High-quality custom processes:

  • Adhere to ISO and other stringent standards
  • Are fully documented for repeatability
  • Undergo version control as products evolve
  • Are validated through testing and inspection
  • Get periodically audited internally and by customers
  • Utilize proven top-tier component suppliers
  • Track components for full traceability

Custom means specialized, not subpar – demand OEM excellence. You can send a message now if you need free samples or have any questions.

Customizing Electrical Enclosures

Enclosures can be tailored by:

  • Modifying dimensions as required
  • Adding custom openings or mounting plates
  • Integrating accessories like windows, lifts, or casters
  • Applying special finishes or coatings
  • Optimizing interior layouts
  • Meeting unique code or environmental needs

Properly customized enclosures simplify installation and maintenance.

Economical Prototyping of Custom Electrical

Prototyping during development provides:

  • Proof of concept for custom designs
  • Ability to refine and optimize design iteratively
  • Validation of requirements and specifications
  • Identification of potential failure modes
  • Risk reduction for the final product
  • Test evidence for certification

Take advantage of prototyping services from electrical OEMs before investing in full production.

 

Custom Electrical Testing and Certification

Custom products undergo:

  • Early prototype testing to verify performance
  • Design verification and validation to specifications
  • Release testing to confirm production quality
  • Agency testing for marks like UL Listed or CSA Certified
  • Special customer source inspections or factory acceptance testing

Thorough testing ensures custom electrical products meet their unique requirements while also complying with relevant standards.

GRL Group Production Workshop

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are custom electrical products needed?

A: When standard products don’t fit requirements, for unique environments, when improved performance or consolidation is needed.

Q: What are common custom electrical product types?

A: Enclosures, panels, transformers, busbars, switchgear, distribution blocks, machinery control platforms.

Q: What is the process for designing custom electrical devices?

A: Requirements gathering, conceptual engineering, CAD design, prototyping, testing, certifications, release to production.

Q: How do you select a manufacturer for custom electrical equipment?

A: Look for engineering expertise, certification, quality system, responsiveness, and production capability.

Q: What standards apply to custom electrical products?

A: UL, NEMA, IEC, IEEE, ISO and other standards still govern testing and safety. Products are certified to all applicable standards.

Q: How much does custom electrical equipment cost compared to off-the-shelf?

A: Often 2-4x as much depending on complexity, but provides return through improved performance, lifespan, and optimization.

Q: How long does it take to produce custom electrical products?

A: Prototyping may take 4-8 weeks. Production lead time 4-12 weeks depending on complexity once design is finalized.

Q: What quality control applies to custom electrical manufacturing?

A: Robust QMS, process control, documented production, material control, inspection, and testing protocols.

Q: How are enclosures customized for electrical use?

A: Modified dimensions, cutouts, coatings, door configurations, interior mounting and layouts.

Q: Can custom busbars improve electrical distribution?

A: Absolutely, optimized shapes, tap-offs, and joints can greatly reduce impedance losses and material.

Q: What electrical components are commonly customized?

A: Enclosures, transformers, switchgear, panel layouts, distribution blocks, control platforms.

Q: How does customization improve electrical safety?

A: By allowing equipment optimized to standards, clearances, monitoring, and modern safe integration practices.

Q: What customization options exist for switchgear?

A: Layout, voltage, switch selection, monitoring/control, form factor, and protective schemes can be tailored.

Q: How does prototyping benefit custom electrical design?

A: It validates designs earlier, reduces risk, improves quality, and verifies certification.

Q: When does it make sense to create custom transformers?

A: For unique voltages/sizes, multiphase applications, optimized efficiency or footprint.

Q: Can specialty coatings be applied to electrical products?

A: Yes, coatings like antimicrobial, chemical resistant, or waterproofing can be integrated.

Q: How does customization help consolidate electrical systems?

A: Allows integrating components into single optimized platforms – saving space and complexity.

Q: What testing is performed on custom electrical equipment?

A: Design verification, prototypes evaluation, production release testing, and third party certification testing.

Q: How does documentation differ for custom electrical products?

A: Full custom documentation is developed and maintained for the product lifecycle. Critical to quality and safety.

Q: How can custom electrical improve energy efficiency?

A: Through optimized transformers, busbars, enclosures, and controls reducing losses.

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