The new international standard for

Power Switchgear & Controlgear

Assemblies – IEC 61439
Contents

- Introduction
- Why new Standard?
- What are the major changes?
- What the experts say?
- Summary
Introduction

The new IEC standard 61439-1 & 2 were released in Jan

2009

A new IEC standard once issued becomes the current

standard

We as specifiers & manufacturer need to understand this

new standard
Introduction
What are the Changes?

- Numbering
- Recognition of complexities
- Pragmatic Approach
- Fundamental Changes
- Design Verification
- How to specify an assembly?
 1-Numbering

IEC 61439 series of standards uses the same structure as other

series within IEC (e.g. IEC 947)

Part 1 is General Rules, detailing requirements that are

common to two or more generic types of assembly

Part 2 : Each generic type of assembly then has a product-

specific Part within the series of standards
1-Numbering

New standard Title Old standard

IEC 61439-1 General rules IEC 60439-1
Power switchgear and
IEC 61439-2 IEC 60439-1
controlgear assemblies
IEC 61439-3 Distribution boards IEC 60439-3
Assemblies for construction
IEC 61439-4 IEC 60439-4
sites

Assemblies for power

IEC 61439-5 IEC 60439-5
distribution in public networks

IEC 61439-6 Busbar trunking systems IEC 60439-2

 2- Recognition of complexities

New standard IEC 61439 recognizes that:

Assemblies are multifaceted

 So many components connected together in infinite

combinations

Interactions between the various elements of an assembly,

thermal, magnetic, etc., all affect the performance of individual
circuits and the assembly as a whole
2- Recognition of complexities …cont’d
3- Pragmatic Approach

The new standard IEC 61439 has taken a practical and pragmatic
approach to proving the capability of assemblies

The capability of each assembly will be verified, effectively in two

stages:

(i) design verification, to prove the design performance of the

assembly is in accordance with IEC 61439; and,
(ii) routine verification, to confirm the materials and
workmanship are in accordance with the design
specification
4- Fundamental Changes

IEC 61439 brought radical changes

The categories of TTA and PTTA have been discarded in favour

of a design ‘verified assembly’

- 60439: TTA (Type Tested) or PTTA (Partially Type

Tested) Assemblies. (nothing else existed)

- 61439: Design verification and routine verification

(for each and every assembly )
 4- Fundamental Changes … cont’d

 Clearly defined responsibilities :

Manufacturer responsible for internal configuration of the

assembly and its performance;
Customers/ Specifiers are responsible to specify the inputs
and outputs to the assembly and to define the interfaces
between the assembly and the outside world
 5- Design Verification

How to achieve Design Verification?

Three options for design verification:

(i) Verification by testing

(ii) Verification by calculation
(iii) Verification by design rules
 5- Design Verification … cont’d

Instead of mere type tests, Design verification is a prerequisite

for all assemblies

It is fundamental to ensure every assembly meets its defined

design requirements

Flexibility in the way in which design verification is achieved

within the new standard – and some new concepts have
been introduced - but the options are defined and where
necessary their use is restricted and a design margin
applied
5- Design Verification …cont’d FLEXIBILITY
5- Design Verification …cont’d FLEXIBILITY
5- Design Verification …cont’d Restriction
5- Design Verification …cont’d Restriction
 5- Design Verification …cont’d

Additional verifications (not present in the old standard), e.g.,

two levels of verification of corrosion resistance;

verification of resistance to UV radiation for outdoor
plastic enclosures;
confirmation that the assembly is capable of being lifted
without danger or damage;
mandatory declaration and confirmation of an impulse
rating;
mandatory use of power frequency dielectric test instead
of insulation resistance measurement etc
 Temperature rise test – mandatory verification of
the rating of outgoing circuits
 6- How to specify an assembly?

Assemblies are complicated and so is the standard that defines

their performance.

To assist specifiers of assemblies, an annex has been included in

IEC 61439-2. This identifies the:
I. parameters that should be specified;
II. the default values that will be assumed in the absence
of any other information;
III. information that must be given in order to obtain the
correct assembly for the particular application.
6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d

Table BB.1 – Items subject to agreement between the ASSEMBLY manufacturer and the user

Reference
User defined functions and Standard User
clause (for Comments
characteristics arrangement b requirement a
Parts 1 and 2)
Electrical System
Electrical system
5.5, 8.4.3.2.3,
Earthing system 8.6.2,10.5, 11.4 TT, TN, TNC, TNS, IT
nominal voltage for electrical distribution
Rated voltage U n (Volts) 3.8.8.1, 5.2.1, 8.5.3 system
If a system diagram is provided with the
enquiry, the manufacturer will determine the
likely over voltage category. Should the
specifier anticipate exceptionally high over
voltage they should provide details
Overvoltage category 5.2.4, 8.5.3, 9.1,Annex G accordingly in their specification
Unusual voltage transients, voltage stresses,
temporaryovervoltages 9.1 No
Rated frequency f n (Hz) 3.8.11, 5.4, 8.5.3,10.10.2.3, 10.11.5.4
Additional on site testing requirements: wiring, As per IEC 61439-2, routine verifications don't
operational performance and function 11.10 need to be repeated at site.
 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d

Short Circuit
Withstand
Short capability
circuit withstand capability
normally be defined in terms of an rms
prospective short circuit current and duration,
or, where there is current limiting protection
Prospective short circuit current at supply upstream, cutoff current as limited by the
terminals I cp (kA) 3.8.6 upstream device
where the prospective short circuit current in
the neutral is higher than normal, specifier’s
should detail their requirements in the
Prospective short circuit current in the neutral 10.11.5.3.5 60 % of phase values assembly specification
Prospective short circuit current in the protective
circuit 10.11.5.6 60 % of phase values
A manufacturer may provide a current
limiting device as the incoming functional unit
circuit to the assembly. This often reduces the
short circuit requirement for the remainder of
the assembly. If this is not acceptable to a
user they should advise accordingly in their
SCPD in the incoming functional unit 9.3.2 specification.
Co-ordination of short-circuit protective devices
including external short-circuit protective device Any specific coordination requirement must
details 9.3.4 be mentioned in the specs
Data associated with loads likely to contribute to
the short-circuit current 9.3.2 e.g., motors
 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d

Protection of persons against electric shock in

Protection of Persons
accordance with IEC 60364-4-41

Type of protection against electric shock - Basic

protection (protection against direct contact) any special requirement, for example, access
NOTE: This type of protection is intended to protect to internal parts of the assembly whilst other
against electric shock due to direct contact within parts remain in service must be clearly
the ASSEMBLY during normal service conditions. 8.4.2 Basicprotection specified
Type of protection against electric shock - Fault
protection(protection against indirect contact)
NOTE: These types of protection are intended to
protect against the consequences of a fault within
the ASSEMBLY. 8.4.3 normally earth conductor & bonding
 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d
Installation
Environment
Installation environment
Location type 3.5, 8.1.4, 8.2 indoor or outdoor
Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies
and ingressof liquid 8.2.2, 8.2.3 Outdoor: IPX3
IEC 61439-1 does not nominate specific IK
External mechanical impact (IK) 8.2.1, 10.2.6 codes.
Resistance to UV radiation (applies for outdoor
assemblies only unless specified otherwise) 10.2.4 Standard
Resistance to corrosion 10.2.2 Standard
Ambient air temperature – lower limit 7.1.1 Indoor: –5 °C
Outdoor: –25 °C
Ambient air temperature – upper limit 7.1.1 40 °C
Ambient air temperature – daily average
maximum 7.1.1 35 °C
Maximum relative humidity 7.1.2 Indoor: 50 % @ 40 °C
Outdoor: 100 % @ 25 °C
Pollution degree 7.1.3 Industrial: 3
Altitude 7.1.4 ?2000 m
EMC environment 9.4, 10.12, Annex J

Special service conditions

(e.g.vibration,exceptional condensation, heavy
pollution, corrosive environment, strong electricor
magnetic fields, fungus, small creatures, explosion
hazards, heavy vibration and shocks, earthquakes) 7.2, 8.5.4, 9.3.3 Table 7,
 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d

Installation Method
Installation method
The standard identifies several generic types
of assembly including; open-type, dead-front,
enclosed, cubicle-type, multi-cubicle-type,
desk-type, box-type, multi-box-type, wall-
mounted surface type, wall-mounted
Type 3.3, 5.5 recessed type.

Portability 3.5 Yes or No

Maximum overall dimensions and weight 6.2.1
External conductor type(s) 8.8 Cable or busbar

Direction(s) of external conductors 8.8 Top, bottom, left, right

External conductor material 8.8 Copper or Aluminium

External phase conductor, cross sections, and
terminations 8.8 Standard
External PE, N, PEN conductors cross sections, and
terminations 8.8 Standard
Special terminal identification requirements 8.8
 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d
Storage & Handling
Storage and handling
Maximum dimensions and weight of
transportunits 6.2.2, 10.2.5
Methods of transport(e.g. forklift, crane) 6.2.2, 8.1.7
Environmental conditions different from the
service conditions 7.3
Packing details 6.2.2
Operating Arrangements
Operating arrangements
unless specifically advised, manufacturer will
assume that the assembly will be operated by
Access to manually operated devices 8.4, 8.5.5 skilled people

Isolation of load installation equipment items 8.4.2, 8.4.3.3, 8.4.5.2

 6- How to specify an assembly…cont’d
Maintenance & Upgrade
Capabilities
Maintenance and upgrade capabilities
Requirements related to accessibility in service by
ordinary persons; requirement to operate devices
or change components while the ASSEMBLY is
energised 8.4.5.1 No
Requirements related to accessibility for
inspection and similar operations 8.4.5.2.2 No
Requirements related to accessibility for
maintenance inservice by authorized persons 8.4.5.2.3 No
Requirements related to accessibility for extension
in service by authorized persons 8.4.5.2.4 No
Method of functional units connection NOTE This
refers to the capability of removal and re-insertion
of functional units. 8.5.1, 8.5.2
Protection against direct contact with hazardous
live internal parts during maintenance or upgrade
(e.g. functional units,main busbars, distribution
busbars) 8.4 No The standard uses a three letter code to
Method of functional units connection NOTE: This describe the different method of connecting a
refers to the capability of removal and re-insertion functional unit within an assembly: • first
of functional units. 8.5.101 letter denotes the type of electrical

Form of separation 8.101

Capability to test individual operation of the 3.1.102,
auxiliary circuits relating to specified circuits while 3.2.102,3.2.103,
the functional unit is isolated 8.5.101,Table 103
 What the experts say?

A big step forward – as described by KEMA

In essence the publication of the IEC 61439 series is a

great step forward, as the standards now fit in better with
the demands of both manufacturers and their customers.
The new approach means that compliance with the
requirements of the standard can be verified more easily
for a range of equipment, without requiring excessive
testing or leading to inflexibility.
 What the experts say?

A very significant standard – as described by ASTA

The introduction of these methods within the standard should

enable more transparent and consistent substantiations of
designs to be offered for specific projects. The verification tests
described in IEC 61439 confirm the reference design from
which subsequent configurations may be verified by the
alternative methods described.
 Summary

IEC 61439 is the current standard for LV switchgear &

controlgear (no more IEC 60439)
The new standard recognizes the real life complexities &
prescribe the solution to address them
The categories of TTA and PTTA have been discarded in
favour of a ‘design verified assembly’
 The role of manufacturer is even more important now as he
is responsible for internal configuration of the assembly and its
performance
 The new standard provides a format for specifiers to define
their requirement comprehensively
Thank You!