WHITE PAPER

IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE

LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR &
CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES
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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
LV SWITCHGEAR & CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES

CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Part 1: General Requirements 4

Edition 3.0 Updates/Changes 4
Design Verification Requirements 5
Temperature-Rise 5

Part 2: Power Switchgear & Controlgear (PSC) Assemblies 6

Edition 3.0 Updates/Changes 6

Conclusion 7
About Intertek 8
Contact Us 8

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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
LV SWITCHGEAR & CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES

INTRODUCTION
IEC 61439 is the series of standards for power switchgear and controlgear assemblies that
were derived from the previous IEC 60439 standard. The standards are currently going
through their third iteration, with the previous Edition 2.0, released in August 2011. With
continuous advancements in technologies and increased awareness of quality and regulatory
requirements, standards are periodically updated to align with industry developments.
The standards are structured such that IEC 61439-1 contains the general rules, and all
subsequent parts detail specific requirements for certain assemblies.
Part 2 – PSC assemblies – is most commonly used because parts not specific to the assembly
being verified fall under it.
The structure of IEC 61439 is detailed in the table below:

STANDARD PART DESCRIPTION

IEC 61439-1 General rules
IEC 61439-2 Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies (PSC assemblies)
IEC 61439-3 Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO)
IEC 61439-4 Particular requirements for assemblies for construction sites (ACS)
IEC 61439-5 Assemblies for power distribution in public networks (PENDAs)
IEC 61439-6 Busbar trunking systems (busways)

The current status of each part of the standard is as follows:

• Part 1: Updated to Edition 3.0 in May 2020
• Part 2: Currently in preparation for publishing, expected to be published in July 2020
• Part 3: Currently in the draft form for comment
• Part 4: To be drafted, no date
• Part 5: To be drafted, no date
• Part 6: To be drafted, no date

Related Standard
Another standard that should be considered when manufacturing switchgear and
controlgear assemblies is IEC 62208: Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear
and controlgear assemblies. It provides a set of verifications for manufacturers of
enclosures to follow and demonstrate to their buyers that they meet
requirements tied into those specified by IEC 61439. IEC 62208 is also currently
going through its third iteration with the previous edition, Edition 2.0,
released in August 2011. The third iteration of IEC 62208 is currently in the
comments stage and this stage is expected to be completed in 2020, with an
anticipated publication in late 2020 or early 2021.

This whitepaper focuses on the changes introduced in May 2020 to IEC 61439
Part 1 and upcoming changes to IEC 61439 Part 2.

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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
LV SWITCHGEAR & CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES

PART 1:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
IEC 61439-1 details the overarching test requirements manufacturers must be aware of and to
which products must comply. These requirements cover basic safety for assemblies, whether
a single stand-alone bespoke unit, or an assembly to be mass-produced. It details a core set of
tests against which all panels are required to be verified.

Edition 3.0 Updates/Changes

Edition 3.0 has introduced some changes, some minor and some more major, including:
• Introduction of group rated current of a main circuit (Ing) and rated current of a main
outgoing circuit (Inc)
• Structure change to (10.2) strength of materials, including the option to reference existing
tested design
• Mechanical operation (10.13) is now a sub-clause under (10.2) for strength of materials with
a modification to the number of operations required
• Clarification on the condition of the test sample for Clause 10.3, Degree of protection of
assemblies (IP code)
• Introduction of Class I and II assemblies for the requirements of protection against electric
shock
• Dielectric properties – Power frequency withstand voltage test is now performed for 60
seconds, an increase from the existing 5 seconds
• Dielectric properties – New test for conductors covered by insulating material to provide
protection against electric shock
• Dielectric properties – Clarification on conditions required which auxiliary circuits are
exempt from test
• A new calculation under temperature-rise to adjust the rated current slightly to help reduce
testing time
• A new calculation under temperature-rise to adjust the rated current for a different
ambienttemperature
• Specified temperature-rise limit for aluminium conductors
• Minor clarifications for short-circuit testing
• Further clarification for DC assemblies

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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
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Design Verification Requirements

Design verification requirements are still detailed within Annex D, which is an informative
annex designed to guide all parties through the base requirements required to be verified.
This can be through testing, comparison with a reference design, or assessment. Most
assemblies verified fall under the climatic conditions detailed within Table 15. The end-user
may have specific requirements and service conditions that may require additional
verifications.

Temperature-Rise
One of the biggest changes made to Edition 3 was to temperature-rise, Clause 10.10. The
standard differentiates between a group-rated current of a main circuit (Ing) and rated
current of a main outgoing circuit (Inc).
• Ing , a group-rated circuit is based on multiple circuits within the same section continuously
and simultaneously loaded together with their rated current. This can be demonstrated by
test 10.10.2.3.5. It is also demonstrated with an applied RDF under 10.10.2.3.6 and
10.10.2.3.7.
• Inc , a rated current of a main outgoing circuit is based on a single outgoing circuit maximum
continuous load current. If the circuit does not have a declared group rating, then the Inc
rating multiplied by its rated diversity faction (RDF) shall give the group rating of the circuit.
This is demonstrated by test under 10.10.2.3.6 and 10.10.2.3.7.

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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
LV SWITCHGEAR & CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES

PART 2:
POWER SWITCHGEAR
& CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES
Part 2 is the overarching “catch all” for low voltage assemblies. If the assembly does not
meet the specific requirements detailed in the other parts of IEC 61439, then the assembly
shall meet the requirements detailed within Part 2.

Edition 3.0 Updates/Changes

• Clarification that cooling equipment withthe appropriateratingshall not be running for IP test
IP5X and IP6X
• Lightning impulse isolation distance test on a withdrawable circuit breaker is no longer is
required to be tested if proven to its own product standard.
• Informative annex (Annex DD) detailing the requirement for photovoltaic assemblies
(PVA), which includes additional testing requirements
o Will be introduced as an informative annex rather than a mandatory
requirement. This is seen as the first step towards standardization and
considers how you might use it in future applications. This may
potentially be formalised in the future, so it is agood idea to refer to itand
incorporate into your assembly build.
o Considers the requirements specific to each assembly, whether that is
an indoor assembly, or an outdoor assembly, exposed to solar radiation
or no solar radiation.
o Additional requirements to IEC 61439-2: Edition 3.0, 2020 include:
▪ Mechanical impact:
• IK07 (installed in a location with limited access)
• IK09 (installed in locations with non-restricted access)
▪ Protection against contact with live parts, ingress of solid foreign
bodies and water (IP code)
• IP2XC (installed in a location accessible to ordinary
person)
▪ PVA assemblies forming part of the DC installation shall be Class
II or equivalent
▪ Additional temperature-rise requirements for PVA assemblies
installed outside, exposed to sunlight. The test is performed
simulating solar effects upon the assembly.
▪ Thermal cyclingtest
▪ Climatic test

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IEC 61439 SERIES UPDATE
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CONCLUSION

Intertek supports switchgear assembly manufacturers with consulting, design, testing,

certification, and advisory services. We provide local certification to extend your global
reach, and our marks are accepted by major electrical utilities and authorities around the INTERTEK SERVICES
world. Contact us today to discuss your high-voltage (HV), medium-voltage (MV), or low-
voltage (MV) switchgear products. • ASTA & ASTA Diamond Mark
We can test to the current and new edition of the IEC 61439 standard, offering cost savings • ETL ListedMark
and time savings for our clients and making the process of upgrading to the new edition • Arc flash hazard analysis & labelling
straightforward. • Corrosion monitoring system
As an accredited third-party certification body, Intertek’s testing and certification activities • Forensic engineering services
are fully independent of manufacturer or end-user interests. Intertek strictly follows ISO
17025 rules for laboratories and ISO 17065 rules for Certification Bodies. These processes are • Failure analysis and investigation
reviewed and validated for each manufacturer facility as well as for each commercial • Transformer oil testing
laboratory during each new test campaign. Intertek’s process provides confidence that any
laboratory contributing to the certification process undergoes stringent auditing by
laboratory experts.

International Considerations: ETL and ASTA Marks for Global Market Access
Across Europe and Asia, high-voltage and low-voltage switchgear assemblies must be tested
and certified for compliance with IEC standards, including IEC 62271. To demonstrate your
product’s compliance with these standards, Intertek recommends certification via the ASTA
Mark.
In North America, these products must be tested and certified for compliance with IEEE,
NEMA, and UL standards as they will be interacting with similarly regulated equipment as
part of transmission systems. Relevant standards can include ANSI/UL 1558, ANSI/UL 891,
NEMA SG5, ANSI C37.20.1, and ANSI C37.20.7. To demonstrate compliance with these
standards, Intertek recommends certification via the ETL Mark as well as the ASTA Mark to
allow access to the widest variety of global markets.
ASTA Certificates and Reports have international recognition, including a very high-profile in
Asia and the Middle East, and are often specified by major end users. The ASTA marks
and/or type test certificates clearly indicate that the product has been independently tested
to comply with the relevant clauses of the applicable standards. Intertek offers a variety of
ASTA tests and certificates; an Intertek expert can recommend the best solution for your
products.

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Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our
network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 46,000 people in
more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing,
Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply
chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with
precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Europe
+44 1372 370900
Americas
+1 800 WORLDLAB (967 5352)
+1 251 459 6173
Asia
+852 2173 8888
+86 400 886 9926
+91 11 41595408
+971 43178217

icenter@intertek.com

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