low voltage Panel Type Test IEC60439

8/4/2019 low voltage Panel Type Test IEC60439

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What about type tested assemblies?

The tested switchboard,complying with IEC 60439-1


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IEC standards are based on theconsensus and knowledge find

among the best experts in theworld.

They provide minimum requirements

and test procedures for safe andreliable installation allowing a highavailability of the electrical energy


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To gather and protect the control and protective devices

together with electrical and mechanical connectionsagainst external influences.

To inform the end-user on the state of his installation.

To protect the switchboard user against the main risk ofaccidents (direct contact protection, indirect contact

protection and fire risk).

To evolve with the activity

Protection for individuals Electrical power distributionInstallations monitoringand control

What is a switchboard used for ?


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It is a question of balance between:

the needs of safety and availability

the constraints of reliability and maintenability of theinstallation.

Safety

Maintenability

Reliability Availability

The LV electrical switchboard has

to be safe and available


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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 (


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What about the main features?



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Scope : Low-voltage switchgear and controlgearassembly, TTA or PTTA, whose rated voltage is 1000Vac 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 thisstandard. A full range of representative configurations have beentested.

PTTA : partially type-tested assemblies, containing both type-testedand non type-tested arrangements provided that the latter are derived(e.g. by calculation) from type-tested arrangements which have compliedwith the relevant tests. Some limited configurations may be tested.

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

IEC 60439-1, what about the scope?

Either a TTA or a PTTA equipment meeting IEC 60439 afford the same quality level


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Meeting IEC 60439-1 requirements means :

a minimum level of safety for people and equipment

to include the low-voltage switchgear and controlgearassemblies 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 theprofessionals of switchboards.

Conformity to IEC 60439 providesan insurance on switchboard realization quality

The IEC 60439-1 standard givesgeneral rules for switchboardsconstruction

Safety

Maintenability

Reliability Availability


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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 IP3X)

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)

Classification according to IEC 60439-1


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IEC 60439-1 : Functional unit

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

Example : drawer in a Motor Control Centre switchboard .

Incoming

Outgoing

Auxiliary

Functional unit


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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 additionalpartitioning within the switchboard

Form 2: partitioning of busbars Form 3a and 3b:

- functional units separated from each other andseparated from the busbars

- connecting terminals separated from busbars Form 4a and 4b:

- functional units separated from each other andseparated from the busbars

- connecting terminals separated from each other andseparated from busbars.

V.FormsIEC 60439-1 proposes different typeof secured forms adapted toeach situation


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Form 1Form 2a Form 3a Form 4a

Form 2b Form 3b Form 4b

IEC 60439-1 The forms of internal separation

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 atool falls in another part

3. Danger in one part should not expand to other parts e.g. an arc in one part should not influenceother parts


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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

Electrical connections forfunctional unitsB


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What about test procedure ?



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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 eachparticular switchboard: n8 general inspection n9 insulation/dielectric test n10 protection measures.

The tests of standard IEC 60439-1

BThey guarantee that the switchboard complies

with the necessary standard requirement


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The aim of these tests is to confirm the switchboard

characteristics.

The 7 type tests are carried out on the most difficult andunfavourable system configurations.The assembled and cabled switchboards are made up of theirusual components, connection system, equipped with

switchgear and assemblied and installed according toindustrial standards.

The tests are conducted either in approved laboratories(Asefa, Kema, Lcie,), or in a manufacturer laboratory.

The 7 type tests performed by themanufacturer


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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 adelay allowing a stabilized temperature, when eachcircuit is used at its rated power and when the completeswitchboard is loaded with an appropriate diversity factor

Result to be obtain

temperature rise shall not exceed what the differentequipment can withstand

the temperature of accessible surfaces has to bechecked

Test n1

(8-2-1): temperature rise limitsTest performed by the manufacturer


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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 areperformed

Test n2

(8-2-2): dielectric propertiesTest performed by the manufacturer


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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 theswitchboard,...)

it also means the installation can be quickly put back intooperation after the incident.

Relationship between peak current (Ipk) and short-circuit current (Icw):

Ipk = Icw x n

RMS value of short-circuitcurrent kA eff/1s (Icw)

n Ipk (kA)

Icw 5 1.5 Ipk 7.55 < Icw 10 1.7 8.5 < Ipk 1710 < Icw 20 2 20 < Ipk 4020 < Icw 50 2.1 42 < Ipk 10550 < Icw 2.2 110 < Ipk

Test n3

(8-2-3): short-circuit withstandTest performed by the manufacturer


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The effectiveness of the protective circuit is verified bytwo tests:

resistance measurement of the connection between theexposed conductive parts and the protective circuits

short-circuit withstand performed between the protectiveconductor and the nearest phase conductor.

Test n4

(8-2-4): effectiveness of the protective

circuitTest performed by the manufacturer


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Clearance control: shortest distance between twoconductive parts.

Creepage distance control: shortest distance along thesurface of an insulating material between two conductiveparts.

Test n5

(8-2-5): clearance and creepage distancesTest performed by the manufacturer


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Endurance of material, guaranteeing the longevity of the

various mechanisms.

The standard requires 50 operating cycles.

Test n6

(8-2-6): mechanical operationTest performed by the manufacturer


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The tests carried out define the capacity of an equippedswitchboard to:

protect persons against contact with live parts

protect equipment against penetration of solid objectsand liquids

Test n7

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

60529)Test performed by the manufacturer

1st digit: protection of persons protection against solids.

2nd digit: protection against liquids.Note: in case of only protection of persons is needed, the 2 IP digits are replaced by x.

Example: IPxxB.

Additional letter (optional): protection of persons against contactwith 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


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3 routine tests performed by the panelbuilder:

n8 general inspection n9 insulation/dielectric test n10 protection measures.

The 3 tests performed by thepanelbuilder

These 3 routine tests can be easily and rapidly performedby the panelbuilder:

overall inspection according to the mounting instructionsand technical documents (right device ratings, tighteningtorques)

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 guaranteeprofessionnalism and responsability of panelbuilder.


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Check of mechanical actuating elements, interlocks,...effectiveness.

Check of proper laying of conductors and cables andproper mounting of device.

Check of connections adequate contact, especiallyscrewed and bolted connections.

Test n8

(8-3-1): general inspectionTest performed by the panelbuilder


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

Test n9

(8-3-4): insulation resistance/(8-3-2):

dielectric testTest performed by the panelbuilder


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Checking of protective measures and of the electricalcontinuity of the protective circuits for metallicassemblies.

Test n10

(8-3-3): protective measuresTest performed by the panelbuilder


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What about the benefits?



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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.

The benefits from IEC 60439-1

IEC 60439-1 provides minimum requirements and test

procedures for safe and reliable installation allowing a highavailability of the electrical energy

Documents

low voltage Panel Type Test IEC60439