Quick Takeaways
- ABB says it is the first manufacturer to obtain product-level NEMA Make It American certification for variable frequency drives.
- The certified VFDs are tied to ABB Drives manufacturing in New Berlin, Wisconsin.
- NEMA's program supports domestic-content documentation for products used in federally funded infrastructure projects.
- Buyers should still confirm the exact drive models, project requirements and supporting paperwork before specifying a VFD.
Industry Update
ABB announced on July 21, 2026 that its U.S.-made variable frequency drives have received product-level certification under NEMA's Make It American program. The company connects the certification to ABB Drives manufacturing in New Berlin, Wisconsin.
Variable frequency drives are used to control motor speed and torque in systems such as pumps, fans, HVACR equipment, water treatment assets, data centers and industrial manufacturing lines. In those applications, the drive choice can affect motor performance, energy use, control integration and procurement documentation.
NEMA describes its Make It American program as a third-party audit and certification process for demonstrating conformance with domestic-content requirements. ABB says the certification gives customers, contractors and procurement officials additional confidence when evaluating VFDs for projects with Build America, Buy America requirements.
Buyer Considerations
For motor buyers and control-panel builders, this update is most relevant when a project specification asks for domestic-content support alongside the usual electrical, enclosure, communication and motor-matching requirements. A certified VFD may reduce uncertainty during supplier review, but it does not replace a project-level compliance check.
Engineering teams should match the drive to the motor type, load profile, voltage, overload duty, harmonic requirements, enclosure environment and communication protocol. Procurement teams should ask which exact drive families and part numbers are covered, what certification documentation is available, and whether the selected configuration still fits the project language.
The announcement may also matter for maintenance and retrofit planning. When a facility standardizes on VFDs that carry clearer domestic-content documentation, future replacements and panel updates can be easier to specify across water, HVACR, pumping and general industrial motion-control assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this announcement mean every ABB drive qualifies for a domestic-content project?
No. The announcement refers to product-level certification for ABB's U.S.-made VFDs. Buyers should confirm the covered models and documentation for each project.
Why does a VFD certification matter for motor buyers?
A VFD controls motor speed and torque, so it is often specified with the motor and panel. Certification can become important when procurement rules require domestic-content evidence.
What should engineers verify before selecting a VFD?
They should check motor compatibility, voltage, current, duty cycle, enclosure rating, harmonic requirements, communication interface, braking needs and the documentation required by the project.
Source
This article summarizes publicly available source information. Confirm technical details, pricing and compliance requirements with the original source before making purchasing decisions.
Source date: 2026-07-24