Panel building covers the design, manufacture, component fitting and wiring of complete switchgear assemblies to the circuit diagram — including testing to IEC 61439 and CE marking. As a manufacturer, ZPAS covers the entire chain: in-house sheet metal production and powder coating, wiring and functional testing at the factory, delivery of ready-to-connect enclosures from small series to large series.
Panel building & enclosure manufacturing from a single source
Our plant in Nowa Ruda (Piłsudskiego) specialises in panel building and custom builds — and has a decisive advantage over conventional contract manufacturers: enclosures made by ZPAS itself — or to the customer's specification. Whether from our own production or with an enclosure specified by the customer: no external supplier, no loss of time, no compromises on dimensions or material. ZPAS develops, manufactures and equips the complete system — from the first drawing to the finished control system.
Whether a single project or series production: we develop and manufacture tailor-made electrical enclosures and control systems for industry, infrastructure and energy applications. The starting point can be a specification, a technical drawing or simply a description of the requirements — ZPAS turns it into a working end product.
Panel building scope: CAD engineering, wiring, functional testing
Design
CAD design, circuit diagrams, bills of materials.
Enclosure manufacturing
Sheet steel, aluminium, stainless steel — straight from our own production.
Procurement
Components to the bill of materials — the customer supplies the material or ZPAS purchases it.
Mechanical assembly
Assembly, rail mounting, cable management to the circuit diagram.
Wiring
Complete electrical wiring, labelled and documented.
Testing
Functional test, insulation measurement, acceptance to the standard.
Documentation
CE marking, declaration of conformity, technical documentation.
Prefabrication: enclosure and control system from one factory
What others sell as an extra is standard at ZPAS: because the enclosure and the panel building come from the same company, the usual interface problems between enclosure supplier and contract manufacturer disappear. The engineering team in Nowa Ruda coordinates the entire process — from sheet metal processing through powder coating and mechanical assembly to the final wiring and functional test. A direct line to engineering and sales, no hotline maze.
Typical panel building process
- Enquiry with specification or description → initial quotation within 2 working days at most
- Technical coordination with ZPAS engineering → CAD design of the electrical enclosure
- Prototype approval → sampling at the customer's site
- Series production of the enclosures → delivery direct from the factory
CE marking and standards in panel building
Custom builds are also manufactured and documented in compliance with the standards. CE marking, declarations of conformity and technical documentation in accordance with the Machinery Directive or the Low Voltage Directive are standard in panel building. For specific markets (UL, DNV for maritime applications), please contact us directly.
Standards & testing in panel building
Every electrical enclosure is manufactured, tested and documented in compliance with the standards. The most important standards and certificates at a glance:
| Standard / certificate | Relevance in panel building |
|---|---|
| IEC 61439 (EN 61439) | Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies – design verification and routine verification of the finished assembly. |
| EN 60204-1 / DIN VDE 0113-1 | Electrical equipment of machines – testing of the machine control system. |
| DGUV Vorschrift 3 | Testing of electrical equipment: protective conductor, insulation and functional measurements. |
| Machinery & Low Voltage Directive | Basis for CE marking and the declaration of conformity. |
| UL certificate | SZE2, SZE3 and SWN empty enclosures are UL-certified – for installations on the US and Canadian markets. |
| UL 508A / cULus | Panel building to UL 508A (industrial control panels) for the US and Canadian markets is possible – on request. |
| DNV | Maritime applications (shipbuilding, offshore) – on request. |
Frequently asked questions — panel building
What is panel building — and what does it include?
Panel building covers the complete assembly of a switchgear assembly: fitting the DIN rails and mounting plate, installing the components (contactors, terminals, PLC, frequency inverters), wiring to the circuit diagram, labelling and final functional testing. The result is a tested electrical enclosure, ready for operation. → What is an electrical enclosure? (guide)
Does ZPAS supply fully wired and tested electrical enclosures?
Yes. The electrical plant in Nowa Ruda (Piłsudskiego) specialises in exactly that: ZPAS handles design, enclosure manufacturing, component fitting, wiring, functional testing and CE documentation from a single source. You supply the specification or the circuit diagram — we supply the ready-to-operate enclosure. Initial quotation within 2 working days at most; if a design review is needed, we will get back to you within that time with a date.
What is the difference between prefabrication and a custom build?
Prefabrication (prefab) means series production to a defined, repeatable circuit diagram — e.g. 50 identical motor control cabinets for a production line. A custom build means developing an individual electrical enclosure from scratch to the customer's specification — as a one-off or a small series. ZPAS does both, from the same factory.
From what quantity does ZPAS build electrical enclosures?
There is no fixed minimum quantity. ZPAS builds everything from single units (prototype, custom build) and small series to large series with framework agreement and call-off orders. A single custom electrical enclosure is also possible.
What documents do you need from me for a quotation?
A circuit diagram, a bill of materials or a specification is sufficient – in your format. If no finished diagram exists yet, a description of the requirements is enough; the engineering team will work out the details with you. Initial quotation within 2 working days at most.
Do you also build without a finished circuit diagram?
Yes. If you only have a functional description or a technical requirement, ZPAS takes care of the CAD design and creates the circuit diagram. You do not have to do the planning yourself – we turn the requirement into a working, tested system.
