What about type tested assemblies?

The tested switchboard, complying with IEC 60439-1

IEC standards are based on the consensus and knowledge find among the best experts in the world.
They provide minimum requirements and test procedures for safe and reliable installation allowing a high availability of the electrical energy

What is a switchboard used for ?

To gather and protect the control and protective devices together with electrical and mechanical connections against external influences. To inform the end-user on the state of his installation. To protect the switchboard user against the main risk of accidents (direct contact protection, indirect contact protection and fire risk). To evolve with the activity

Installations monitoring and control

Protection for individuals

Electrical power distribution

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The LV electrical switchboard has to be safe and available

It is a question of balance between: the needs of safety and availability the constraints of reliability and maintenability of the installation.

Safety

Reliability

Availability

Maintenability

IEC 60439 series Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies

One general standard :

IEC 60439-1 type-tested assemblies (TTA) and partially type-tested assemblies (PTTA)

Four related standards:

IEC 60439 -2 busbar trunking systems (busways) IEC 60439 -3 distribution boards (<250A, unskill people) IEC 60439 -4 assemblies for construction sites (ACSs) IEC 60439 -5 cable distribution cabinets (CDCs)

What about the main features?

The tested switchboard, complying with IEC 60439-1

IEC 60439-1, what about the scope?

Scope

: Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly, TTA or PTTA, whose rated voltage is 1000 Vac or 1500 Vdc.
TTA : type-tested assemblies conforming to an established type or system without deviations likely to significantly influence the performance, from the typical ASSEMBLY verified to be in accordance with this standard. A full range of representative configurations have been tested. PTTA : partially type-tested assemblies, containing both type-tested and non type-tested arrangements provided that the latter are derived (e.g. by calculation) from type-tested arrangements which have complied with the relevant tests. Some limited configurations may be tested.

Definition : A combination of one or more low-voltage switching devices together with associated control, measuring, signalling, protective, regulating equipment, etc., completely assembled under the responsibility of the manufacturer with all the internal electrical and mechanical interconnections and structural parts

Either a TTA or a PTTA equipment meeting IEC 60439 afford the same quality level
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The IEC 60439-1 standard gives general rules for switchboards construction

Safety

Meeting IEC 60439-1 requirements means : a minimum level of safety for people and equipment to include the low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies for the power distribution and control precise requirements for - service conditions (temperature...) - construction requirements (IP, IK, forms,...) precise test procedures IEC 60439-1: one worldwide standard for all the professionals of switchboards.

Reliability

Availability
Conformity to IEC 60439 provides an insurance on switchboard realization quality

Maintenability
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Classification according to IEC 60439-1

external design (open-type, dead front, enclosed, busway) place of installation (indoor - outdoor) conditions of installation with respect to mobility (stationary - movable)

degree of protection (for outdoor IP 3X)

type of enclosure (e.g metallic or plastic) method of mounting (fixed or removable) measures of protection of persons form of internal separation (to be detailed, agreement between customer and manufacturer) types of electrical connections of functional units (to be detailed, agreement between customer and manufacturer)
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IEC 60439-1 : Functional unit

Definition : Part of an assembly, comprising all the electrical and mechanical elements that contribute to the fulfilment of the same function

Incoming

Functional unit

Outgoing Auxiliary

Example : drawer in a Motor Control Centre switchboard .

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IEC 60439-1 proposes different type V. Forms of secured forms adapted to each situation

In most installations, no particular partitioning is needed, electrical switchboard of the form 1 type is acceptable.
However this is no longer true without a front plate or other equivalent mean. The user shall not access to living parts.

Following forms 2, 3 and 4 introduce additional partitioning within the switchboard

Form 2: partitioning of busbars Form 3a and 3b: - functional units separated from each other and separated from the busbars - connecting terminals separated from busbars Form 4a and 4b: - functional units separated from each other and separated from the busbars - connecting terminals separated from each other and separated from busbars.

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IEC 60439-1 The forms of internal separation

Form 1

Form 2a

Form 3a

Form 4a

Form 2b

Form 3b

Form 4b

1. Maintenance people should not be in a dangerous situation, e.g. parts not under maintenance should not create dangerous situation in parts under maintenance
2. Maintenance in one part should not create a dangerous situation in another part e.g. a screw or a tool falls in another part 3. Danger in one part should not expand to other parts e.g. an arc in one part should not influence other parts
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Electrical connections for functional units

B

Types of electrical connections of functional units (FU)

F = Fixed D = Disconnectable W = Withdrawable

Identification

connections are codified with these 3 letters referring to : 1st : main incoming circuit 2nd : main outgoing circuit 3rd: auxiliary circuits
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What about test procedure ?

The tested switchboard, complying with IEC 60439-1

The tests of standard IEC 60439-1

They guarantee that the switchboard complies with the necessary standard requirement

There are two type of tests:

7 type tests are performed by the manufacturer on one or several configurations: n1 temperature rise limits n2 dielectric properties n3 short-circuit withstand n4 protective circuit effectiveness n5 clearances and creepage distances n6 mechanical operation n7 degree of protection.

3 routine tests are performed by the panelbuilder on each particular switchboard: n8 general inspection n9 insulation/dielectric test n10 protection measures.
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The 7 type tests performed by the manufacturer

The aim of these tests is to confirm the switchboard characteristics.

The 7 type tests are carried out on the most difficult and unfavourable system configurations. The assembled and cabled switchboards are made up of their usual components, connection system, equipped with switchgear and assemblied and installed according to industrial standards. The tests are conducted either in approved laboratories (Asefa, Kema, Lcie,), or in a manufacturer laboratory.

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Test n1 (8-2-1): temperature rise limits

Test performed by the manufacturer

Guarantees the safety and reliability of the switchboard, by avoiding problems such as: connection damages reduction in insulation performances risk of burn for maintenance operators electronic components damages faulty operation of the devices: inopportune release.

How to proceed: to measure the temperature of each equipment, after a delay allowing a stabilized temperature, when each circuit is used at its rated power and when the complete switchboard is loaded with an appropriate diversity factor

Result to be obtain

temperature rise shall not exceed what the different equipment can withstand the temperature of accessible surfaces has to be checked

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Test n2 (8-2-2): dielectric properties

Test performed by the manufacturer

Guarantees the switchboard safety and reliability, to avoid problems such as: electrical arc generation insulation performance decreasing connection damages Withstand impulse voltage test and an ac test are performed

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Test n3 (8-2-3): short-circuit withstand

Test performed by the manufacturer

This test simulates an incident which could occur on site. Withstanding the short-circuit currents is: to avoid danger (rupture and projections of components, arc generation and propagation outside the switchboard,...) it also means the installation can be quickly put back into operation after the incident.
Relationship between peak current (Ipk) and short-circuit current (Icw): Ipk = Icw x n
RMS value of short-circuit current kA eff/1s (Icw) Icw 5 5 < Icw 10 10 < Icw 20 20 < Icw 50 50 < Icw n 1.5 1.7 2 2.1 2.2 Ipk (kA) Ipk 7.5 8.5 < Ipk 17 20 < Ipk 40 42 < Ipk 105 110 < Ipk

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Test n4 (8-2-4): effectiveness of the protective circuit

Test performed by the manufacturer

The effectiveness of the protective circuit is verified by two tests: resistance measurement of the connection between the exposed conductive parts and the protective circuits short-circuit withstand performed between the protective conductor and the nearest phase conductor.

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Test n5 (8-2-5): clearance and creepage distances

Test performed by the manufacturer

Clearance control: shortest distance between two conductive parts. Creepage distance control: shortest distance along the surface of an insulating material between two conductive parts.

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Test n6 (8-2-6): mechanical operation

Test performed by the manufacturer

Endurance of material, guaranteeing the longevity of the various mechanisms. The standard requires 50 operating cycles.

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Test n7 (8-2-7): degree of protection (IP, IEC 60529)

Test performed by the manufacturer

The tests carried out define the capacity of an equipped switchboard to: protect persons against contact with live parts protect equipment against penetration of solid objects and liquids
1st digit: protection of persons protection against solids. 2nd digit: protection against liquids. Additional letter (optional): protection of persons against contact with live parts: A: protect againts access of the back of the hand B: protect against access of fingers 12 mm C: protect against access of a tool 2.5 mm D: protect against access of a tool 0.1 mm.

IP

Note: in case of only protection of persons is needed, the 2 IP digits are replaced by x. Example: IPxxB.

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The 3 tests performed by the panelbuilder

These 3 routine tests can be easily and rapidly performed by the panelbuilder: overall inspection according to the mounting instructions and technical documents (right device ratings, tightening torques) insulation checking by a dielectric test checking of protective measures and of the electrical continuity of the protective circuits. They complete the 7 manufacturer type tests and guarantee professionnalism and responsability of panelbuilder.

3 routine tests performed by the panelbuilder: n8 general inspection n9 insulation/dielectric test n10 protection measures.

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Test n8 (8-3-1): general inspection

Test performed by the panelbuilder

Check of mechanical actuating elements, interlocks,... effectiveness. Check of proper laying of conductors and cables and proper mounting of device.

Check of connections adequate contact, especially screwed and bolted connections.

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Test n9 (8-3-4): insulation resistance/(8-3-2): dielectric test

Test performed by the panelbuilder

No arc flash-over or insulator perforation must be observed between the live parts each other and between the live parts and the conductive structural parts.

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Test n10 (8-3-3): protective measures

Test performed by the panelbuilder

Checking of protective measures and of the electrical continuity of the protective circuits for metallic assemblies.

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What about the benefits?

The tested switchboard, complying with IEC 60439-1

The benefits from IEC 60439-1

IEC 60439-1 provides minimum requirements and test procedures for safe and reliable installation allowing a high availability of the electrical energy

Specifiers/consultants: the certainty to prescribe a switchboard which ensures the level of safety required by the user Panel-builder / Installer: confidence in products and swichboards systems, following the standard increase efficiency, easy to show conformity

Manufacturer: products tested in real configurations detailed instructions for fautless construction.

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