The standard, IEC 61439, replaces IEC 60439 and describes the design and the test specifications for low voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies. The new standard has influence on the distribution of electrical energy in industry, the domestic electrical installation and on construction sites.
Two main standards will be required for each design of a low voltage switchgear and control gear assembly:
Requirements in this standard, which are object of an agreement between manufacturer of the switchgear and control gear assemblies and user have changed. This listing facilitates provision of information concerning basic conditions and supplemental user definitions.
In the future, all low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies must be tested in accordance with IEC 61439. The requirement of design verification is new. Design verification replaces the type test.
MENNEKES receptacle combinations are subjected to additional standard-compliant routine tests.
The outgoing circuits are individually loaded with the respective rated current.
Your advantage:
This guarantees an even higher standard of safety.
Significant rating plate – clearly defined mandatory information, such as rated diversity factor RDF (previously: simultaneity factor).
Your advantage:
The main technical product information is visible on the rating plate at a glance.
Requests for a custom solution require clearly defined specifications by the user (such as installation site, ambient temperatures, etc.).
Your advantage:
You get a need-based solution by MENNEKES tailored to the specific application.
If a product is modified on site, the company in question is considered to be the manufacturer. In this case a new verification and documentation are required from this company.
Your advantage:
For receptacle combinations that are ready for connection, MENNEKES is the original manufacturer and manufacturer and therefore bears the complete product responsibility.
In 2012, the restructuring and revision of the safety requirements for low-voltage switchgear was finalized with publication of the standard, IEC 61439-1:2012. The preceding standard, IEC 60439-1 will be replaced by IEC 61439-1:2012. The former Standard IEC 60349 is valid until Sept. 2014. After this specified date, the use of IEC 61439 is mandatory (for all new designed switchgear and control gear assemblies) the planning and documentation must be executed in accordance with IEC 61439-1:2012 and its parts.
The purpose of this standard is the harmonisation of most of the general regulations and requirements for lowvoltage switchgear and control gear assemblies to achieve uniform requirements and verifications for switchgear and control assemblies and to avoid the necessity of verifications in accordance with other standards. All requirements of the different switchgear and control gear assemblies have been combined in this fundamental standard, together with topics of broad interest and application, e.g heating, insulation properties, etc.
Two main standards will be required for each design of a low-voltage switchgear and control gear assembly:
The IEC 61439 consists of the following parts:
IEC ... |
61439-1: General definitions |
61439-2: Power switchgear and control gear assemblies |
61439-3: Distribution boards |
61439-4: Assemblies for construction sites |
61439-5: Public cable distribution cabinets |
61439-6: Busbar trunking systems |
61439-7: Draft – specific installations on public sites, marinas, campsites, market squares, and EV charging stations |
Requirements in this standard, which are object of an agreement between manufacturer of the switchgear and control gear assemblies and user, are summarized at the bottom. This listing facilitates provision of information concerning basic conditions and supplemental user definitions.
Additionally to the type verification, the producer has to provide an article proof which guarantees a correct set-up acc. to the norm, excludes material failures and the compliance with electrical safety requirements.
Organisation / enterprise that executed the original design and the associated verifications in accordance with the standard.
Organisation that completes a device and assembles it into a functional unit. The manufacturer is responsible for piece verification and thus for the product (Declaration of Conformity).
Significance for MENNEKES products:
For pre-wired devices MENNEKES is simultaneously the original manufacturer and the manufacturer. The responsibility and provision of verifications rest with us. We cannot declare partially wired devices that we manufacture as standard compliant. In this case the ?finishing entity“ becomes the manufacturer and must declare conformity. It is required to forward information to this organisation so that the device ultimately can get a ?eclaration of Conformity“.
The max. ambient temperature is +40 °C.
The average value of the ambient temperature over a period of 24 hours must not be higher than +35 °C.
The verification of heating can be provided through various methods. Through testing of the switchgear and control gear combination, or through derivation of a known reference, and through an expert assessment, e.g in accordance with applicable design rules. Regardless of the method that is selected to determine the heat and thus the maximum current load of the combination, compliance with the appropriate temperature limit values must be ensured.
The switchgear and control gear assembly and its electrical circuits must be capable of bearing their rated currents under defined conditions and the rated values of the components, their suitability and application must be taken into account, without exceeding limit values specified in IEC 61439-1 Table 6, Part 1. The limit temperatures in table 6 apply for the average ambient temperature of +35 °C.
? The limit temperatures of the installed equipment must be taken into account!
A device/component may only be replaced through a similar, identically constructed device a of a series other than the series used in the verification, if the power loss, and thus the heating of the connections is less than or equal to that of the device that is being replaced.
The requirement of IEC 61439 is, that all electric circuits must be individually capable to carry their rated current, without exceeding temperature limit values in the process. If additional power circuits are added, a rated load factor can be set.
The rated current of the switchgear and control gear assembly, InA, is the total current that the main busbar can distribute in the respective installation of the assembly, without exceeding the temperature limit values mentioned in IEC 61439-1 section 9.2!
The current, InA, is considered to be the maximum current that the assembly can distribute via its outgoing circuits at 100 % continuous duty (CD).
The rated current of an electric circuit is the value of the current that can be carried by this electric circuit under standard operating conditions when it is operated alone. The assembly must be capable of carrying this current without exceding the max. temperature limits of the individual components specified in IEC 61439-1 section 9.2.
The RDF is the specified percentage value of the rated current with which the (individual) outgoing circuits Inc of a switchgear and control gear assembly can be continuously and simultaneously be used with due consideration of the opposing thermal influences. In this process the InA must not be exceeded.
Number of main electric circuits | Assumed load factor |
---|---|
2 and 3 | 0,8 |
4 and 5 | 0,7 |
6 up to and including 9 | 0,6 |
10 (and more) | 0,5 |
This table provides guide values, if in doubt the manufacturer‘s specification always applies.
The information below represents specified standard values for MENNEKES catalogue assemblies. If there are deviations from this standard or in the case of special project planning, appropriate coordination must take place beforehand between user and manufacturer. These agreements must be arranged between MENNEKES and the user / customer during the quotation phase (prior to production and prior to sale).
The table below is a ?blank“ that is applicable for approximately 98 % of the MENNEKES devices. Special project planning is not covered by the specifications, and must be separately disclosed by the user prior to project planning. In these special cases, it is required that additional details be considered with the aid of the standards cited and their product sub-standards.
Characteristic | Standard value | Normative option | MENNEKES standard |
System according to type of earth connection | Design in accordance with the local requirements | TT / TN / IT | TN / TT |
Rated voltage | In accordance with local installation conditions | max. 1000 V AC bzw. 1500 V DC | 400 V AC |
Transient overvoltages | determined through the electrical system | Overvoltage category I / II / III / IV | Kat. III / plugs and sockets Kat. II |
Occasional overvoltages | min. rated voltage + 1200 V | See Table 8 + 9 or 10 for the values | 1890 V (AC) |
Rated frequency | in accordance with installation conditions | DC / 50 Hz / 60 Hz | 50 Hz |
Short circuit resistance | determined through the system | N + PE max 60 % of the outer conductor values | Icc max. ≤ 10 kA |
SCPD in the supply | in accordance with installation conditions | yes / no | no |
Coordination between shortcircuit protection devices inside or outside of the switchgear and control gear assembly | in accordance with installation conditions | present / install / integrate | Item-dependent |
Information of loads that could possibly contribute to short-circuit current | No loads are permitted that could possibly contribute to the shortcircuit current | none | none |
Type of protection against electric shock – basic insulation | Basic protection | Comply with local requirements | Basic protection |
Type of protection against electric shock – earth fault protection | Protection against indirect contact / comply with local requirements | Automatic shutdown / protective disconnect / protective insulation | Item-dependent |
Installation site | Execution of the manufacturer | Indoors / outdoors | Item-dependent |
Protection type | Indoors min. IP 2x / outdoors min. IP 23 | IP xx (A-D) | IP 44 |
Protection against mechanical effects |
| if necessary specification of the IK code (IEC 62208) | Information on request |
Resistance to UV radiation |
| Required for enclosures in outdoor installation | Information on request |
Resistance to corrosion | For indoor and outdoor installation | yes / no | Item-dependent |
Ambient temperature limit values | Indoors: min. -5 °C Outdoors: min. -25 °C High limit (both): +40 °C max. average value (24 h): +35 °C | none | Standard values! see product for deviations |
Maximum relative humidity | 90% | Outdoors: 100 % at max. +25 °C Indoors: 50 % bei +40 °C | Standard values! See product for deviations |
Pollution degree | Industrial environment 3 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | 3 |
Altitude | ≤ 2.000 m | Pay attention to the factors | ≤ 2.000 m |
EMC environment | A or B | A / B | B |
Special operating conditions (vibration, Ex-area, strong magnetic fields or contamination) | No particular conditions | none | Not defined! |
External structural design | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | Open / closed / standing / in-wall installation & on-wall installation / console | closed |
Mobile or stationary | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | yes / no | Item-dependent |
Dimensions and masses | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | none | Item-dependent |
Type of conductors introduced from outside | Cables | Cables / busbar trunking systems | Cables |
Materials of the conductors introduced from the outside | Copper | Copper / aluminum | Copper |
Cross-sections of the outer conductors, PE, N & PEN conductors | As specified in the standard | none | none |
Special requirements imposed on the marking of connections | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | none | Manufacturer execution |
Requirements imposed on storage & transport (type of transport, deviating ambient conditions, max. dimensions, packaging requirements) | Standard of the manufacturer | none | Information on request |
Operability (access, activation rights, disconnect) | Easy reachability | Authorized persons, ordinary persons, etc. | Item-dependent |
Requirements imposed on accessibility for operation, inspection, maintenance or extension | Inspection, component replacement, extension, maintenance, etc. only by specialized persons (requirement) | none | Inspection, replacement, extension, maintenance, etc. only through specialized persons |
Separation of the outgoing electric circuits | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | Individually / in groups / all | Item-dependent |
Type of interior subdivision | in accordance with manufacturer‘s specifications | Form 1, 2, 3, 4 | none |
Rated current of the switchgear and control gear assembly | Manufacturers standard; in accordance with the application | none | Item-dependent |
Rated current of the electric circuits (InC) | Manufacturers standard; in accordance with the application | none | Item-dependent |
Rated diversity factor (RDF) | STANDARD specification | RDF for electric circuits/ RDF for the entire switchgear and control gear assembly | Item-dependent |
Cross-section ratio between outer conductor and N* | O ≤ 16 mm2 = 100 % O > 16 mm2 = 50 % min. 16 mm2) | For currents in N to 50 % of the outer conductors, otherwise a special agreement is necessary! | Outer conductor = neutral conductor cross-section |
* MENNEKES designs the size of the Neutral conductor accordingly to the max. allowed current for the phases. For special operating conditions (see IEC 61439, section 7.2 and IEC 61439-1 supplement 1, section 13.5) which relate to the ratio of neutral conductor to outer conductor (alternating current consumption with very low and different cosφ or excessive harmonics in the supply voltage or load current) can lead to a different size relation between neutral conductor to external conductor. This must be announced by the user.