IEC 61439-1:2020

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 1: General rules

IEC 61439-1:2020 lays down the general definitions and service conditions, construction requirements, technical characteristics and verification requirements for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. NOTE Throughout this document, the term assembly(s) (see 3.1.1) is used for a low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly(s). For the purpose of determining assembly conformity, the requirements of the relevant part of the IEC 61439 series, Part 2 onwards, apply together with the cited requirements of this document. For assemblies not covered by Part 3 onward, Part 2 applies. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) clarification that power electric converter systems, switch mode power supplies, uninterruptable power supplies and adjustable speed power drive systems are tested to their particular products standard, but when they are incorporated in assemblies the incorporation is in accordance with the IEC 61439 series of standards;
b) introduction of a group rated current for circuits within a loaded assembly and the refocusing of temperature-rise verification on this new characteristic;
c) addition of requirements in respect of DC;
d) introduction of the concept of class I and class II assemblies regarding protection against electric shock.
The contents of the corrigendum 1 of December 2021 and corrigendum 2 of September 2023 have been included in this copy.

Ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension - Partie 1: Règles générales

L’IEC 61439-1:2020 formule les définitions générales et les conditions d’emploi, les exigences de construction, les caractéristiques techniques et les exigences de vérification pour les ensembles d’appareillage à basse tension. NOTE Dans le présent document, le terme ensemble(s) (voir 3.1.1) est utilisé pour désigner un ou des ensembles d’appareillage à basse tension. Dans le but de déterminer la conformité de l’ensemble, les exigences de la partie applicable de la série IEC 61439 (à partir de la Partie 2), s’appliquent, de même que les exigences citées dans le présent document. Pour les ensembles non couverts par les parties à partir de la Partie 3, la Partie 2 s’applique. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2011. Elle constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) clarification du fait que les systèmes et matériels électroniques de conversion de puissance, les alimentations à découpage, les alimentations sans interruption et les systèmes d’entraînements électriques de puissance à vitesse variable sont soumis à essai conformément à leur propre norme de produit, mais que lorsqu’ils sont incorporés dans des ensembles, l’incorporation est conforme à la série de normes IEC 61439;
b) introduction d’un courant assigné de groupe pour les circuits au sein d’un ensemble chargé et recentrage de la vérification de l’échauffement sur cette nouvelle caractéristique;
c) ajout d’exigences relatives au courant continu;
d) introduction du concept d’ensembles de classe I et de classe II en matière de protection contre les chocs électriques.
Le contenu du corrigendum 1 décembre 2021 et le corrigendum 2 de septembre 2023 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-May-2020
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.130.20 - Low voltage switchgear and controlgear
• Technical Committee: SC 121B - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies
• Drafting Committee: MT 2 - TC 121/SC 121B/MT 2
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 15-May-2020
• Completion Date: 05-May-2020

Relations

• Corrected By: IEC 61439-1:2020/COR2:2023 - Corrigendum 2 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 1: General rules
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2023
• Corrected By: IEC 61439-1:2020/COR1:2021 - Corrigendum 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 1: General rules
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61439-1:2011 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 1: General rules
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61439-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
Part 1: General rules
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
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copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 61439-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –

Part 1: General rules
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-8337-0

– 2 – IEC 61439-1:2020 RLV © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 8
INTRODUCTION . 10
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 12
3 Terms and definitions . 15
3.1 General terms . 16
3.2 Constructional units of assemblies . 18
3.3 External design of assemblies . 19
3.4 Structural parts of assemblies . 20
3.5 Conditions of installation of assemblies . 21
3.6 Insulation characteristics . 22
3.7 Protection against electric shock . 25
3.8 Characteristics . 29
3.9 Verification . 33
3.10 Manufacturer . 34
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 34
5 Interface characteristics . 35
5.1 General . 35
5.2 Voltage ratings . 35
5.2.1 Rated voltage (U ) (of the assembly) . 35
n
5.2.2 Rated operational voltage (U ) (of a circuit of an assembly) . 35
e
5.2.3 Rated insulation voltage (U ) (of a circuit of an assembly) . 36
i
5.2.4 Rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) (of the assembly) . 36
imp
5.3 Current ratings . 36
5.3.1 Rated current of an assembly (I ) . 36
nA
5.3.2 Rated current of a main outgoing circuit (I ) . 37
nc
5.3.3 Group rated current of a main circuit (I ) . 37
ng
5.3.4 Rated peak withstand current (I ) . 38
pk
5.3.5 Rated short-time withstand current (I ) (of a main circuit of an
cw
assembly) . 38
5.3.6 Rated conditional short-circuit current (I ) (of an assembly or a circuit
cc
of an assembly) . 38
5.4 Rated diversity factor (RDF) . 38
5.5 Rated frequency (f ) . 39
n
5.6 Other characteristics . 39
6 Information . 40
6.1 Assembly designation marking . 40
6.2 Documentation . 40
6.2.1 Information relating to the assembly . 40
6.2.2 Instructions for handling, installation, operation and maintenance . 40
6.3 Device and/or component identification . 41
7 Service conditions . 41
7.1 Normal service conditions . 41
7.1.1 Climatic conditions . 41
Ambient air temperature .
Humidity conditions .

7.1.2 Pollution degree . 42
Altitude .
7.2 Special service conditions . 43
7.3 Conditions during transport, storage and installation . 43
8 Constructional requirements . 43
8.1 Strength of materials and parts . 43
8.1.1 General . 43
8.1.2 Protection against corrosion . 44
8.1.3 Properties of insulating materials . 44
8.1.4 Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation . 45
8.1.5 Mechanical strength . 45
8.1.6 Lifting provision . 45
8.2 Degree of protection provided by an assembly enclosure . 45
8.2.1 Protection against mechanical impact (IK code) . 45
8.2.2 Protection against contact with live parts, ingress of solid foreign bodies

and water (IP code) . 46
8.2.3 Assembly with removable parts. 46
8.3 Clearances and creepage distances. 47
8.3.1 General . 47
8.3.2 Clearances . 47
8.3.3 Creepage distances . 48
8.4 Protection against electric shock . 48
8.4.1 General . 48
8.4.2 Basic protection . 48
8.4.3 Fault protection . 49
8.4.4 Protection by total insulation Additional requirements for class II
assemblies . 52
8.4.5 Limitation of steady-state touch currents and charge . 54
8.4.6 Operating and servicing conditions . 54
8.5 Incorporation of switching devices and components . 56
8.5.1 Fixed parts . 56
8.5.2 Removable parts . 56
8.5.3 Selection of switching devices and components . 56
8.5.4 Installation of switching devices and components . 57
8.5.5 Accessibility . 57
8.5.6 Barriers . 58
8.5.7 Direction of operation and indication of switching positions . 58
8.5.8 Indicator lights and push-buttons . 58
8.5.9 Power factor correction banks . 58
8.6 Internal electrical circuits and connections . 58
8.6.1 Main circuits . 58
8.6.2 Auxiliary circuits . 59
8.6.3 Bare and insulated conductors . 59
8.6.4 Selection and installation of non-protected live conductors to reduce the
possibility of short-circuits . 60
8.6.5 Identification of the conductors of main and auxiliary circuits . 60
8.6.6 Identification of the protective conductor (PE, PEL, PEM, PEN) and of
the neutral conductor (N) and the mid-point conductor (M) of the main
circuits . 60

– 4 – IEC 61439-1:2020 RLV © IEC 2020
8.6.7 Conductors in AC circuits passing through ferromagnetic enclosures or
plates . 61
8.7 Cooling . 61
8.8 Terminals for external conductors cables . 61
9 Performance requirements .
...

IEC 61439-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
Part 1: General rules
Ensembles d’appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 1: Règles générales
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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and withdrawn publications. Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

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IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries have been
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IEC 61439-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –

Part 1: General rules
Ensembles d’appareillage à basse tension –

Partie 1: Règles générales
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-8154-3

– 2 – IEC 61439-1:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 8
INTRODUCTION . 10
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 11
3 Terms and definitions . 14
3.1 General terms . 14
3.2 Constructional units of assemblies . 16
3.3 External design of assemblies . 18
3.4 Structural parts of assemblies . 19
3.5 Conditions of installation of assemblies . 20
3.6 Insulation characteristics . 20
3.7 Protection against electric shock . 23
3.8 Characteristics . 27
3.9 Verification . 31
3.10 Manufacturer . 32
3.11 User . 32
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 32
5 Interface characteristics . 33
5.1 General . 33
5.2 Voltage ratings . 33
5.2.1 Rated voltage (U ) (of the assembly) . 33
n
5.2.2 Rated operational voltage (U ) (of a circuit of an assembly). 34
e
5.2.3 Rated insulation voltage (U ) (of a circuit of an assembly) . 34
i
5.2.4 Rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) (of the assembly) . 34
imp
5.3 Current ratings . 34
5.3.1 Rated current of an assembly (I ) . 34
nA
5.3.2 Rated current of a main outgoing circuit (I ) . 34
nc
5.3.3 Group rated current of a main circuit (I ) . 35
ng
5.3.4 Rated peak withstand current (I ) . 35
pk
5.3.5 Rated short-time withstand current (I ) (of a main circuit of an
cw
assembly) . 36
5.3.6 Rated conditional short-circuit current (I ) (of an assembly or a circuit
cc
of an assembly) . 36
5.4 Rated diversity factor (RDF) . 36
5.5 Rated frequency (f ) . 36
n
5.6 Other characteristics . 37
6 Information . 37
6.1 Assembly designation marking . 37
6.2 Documentation . 37
6.2.1 Information relating to the assembly . 37
6.2.2 Instructions for handling, installation, operation and maintenance . 38
6.3 Device and/or component identification . 38
7 Service conditions . 38
7.1 Normal service conditions . 38
7.1.1 Climatic conditions . 38
7.1.2 Pollution degree . 39

7.2 Special service conditions . 39
7.3 Conditions during transport, storage and installation . 40
8 Constructional requirements . 40
8.1 Strength of materials and parts . 40
8.1.1 General . 40
8.1.2 Protection against corrosion . 41
8.1.3 Properties of insulating materials . 41
8.1.4 Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation . 41
8.1.5 Mechanical strength . 41
8.1.6 Lifting provision . 42
8.2 Degree of protection provided by an assembly enclosure . 42
8.2.1 Protection against mechanical impact (IK code) . 42
8.2.2 Protection against contact with live parts, ingress of solid foreign bodies
and water (IP code) . 42
8.2.3 Assembly with removable parts. 43
8.3 Clearances and creepage distances. 43
8.3.1 General . 43
8.3.2 Clearances . 43
8.3.3 Creepage distances . 44
8.4 Protection against electric shock . 44
8.4.1 General . 44
8.4.2 Basic protection . 44
8.4.3 Fault protection . 45
8.4.4 Additional requirements for class II assemblies . 48
8.4.5 Limitation of steady-state touch currents and charge . 49
8.4.6 Operating and servicing conditions . 49
8.5 Incorporation of switching devices and components . 50
8.5.1 Fixed parts . 50
8.5.2 Removable parts . 51
8.5.3 Selection of switching device
...