IEC 60947-4-1:2023
(Main)Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 4-1: Contactors and motor-starters - Electromechanical contactors and motor-starters
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 4-1: Contactors and motor-starters - Electromechanical contactors and motor-starters
IEC 60947-4-1:2023 is applicable to the following equipment:
- electromechanical contactors and starters including motor protective switching devices (MPSD and IMPSD);
- actuators of contactor relays;
- contacts dedicated exclusively to the coil circuit of the contactor or the contactor relay;
- dedicated accessories (e.g. dedicated wiring, dedicated latch accessory);
intended to be connected to distribution circuits, motors circuits and other load circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2018. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) objective in the scope;
b) instantaneous only motor protective switching device IMPSD (3.5.33);
c) kinds of equipment (5.2.1);
d) methods of overload protection of motors (5.2.6);
e) adoption of the AC-7d from IEC 61095:2023 (in 5.4.2);
f) separately mounted overload relay of a starter (in 5.7.3 b));
g) starter and contactor suitable for use downstream to basic drive module (6.1.2 w));
h) reference to IEC TS 63058 for environmental aspects (in 6.4);
i) wiring subject to movement (in 8.1.3);
j) use of voltage transient limiting device (8.1.18);
k) accessible parts subject to temperature limits (in 8.2.2.3);
l) reference to Annex X of IEC 60947-1:2020 for the co-ordination of MPSD with SCPD (8.2.5.4);
m) reference to IEC TR 63216 with different EMC environments (8.3.1);
n) reference to IEC TR 63201 for the embedded software design (8.4);
o) reference to IEC TS 63208 for cybersecurity aspects (8.5);
p) update and completion of the measurement method of the power consumption of the electromagnet (9.3.3.2.1.2);
q) update of Annex C including rational about AC-3e;
r) determination of the critical load current for photovoltaic applications (M.8.7).
Appareillage à basse tension - Partie 4-1: Contacteurs et démarreurs de moteurs – Contacteurs et démarreurs électromécaniques
L'IEC 60947-4-1:2023 s'applique aux équipements suivants:
- contacteurs électromécaniques et démarreurs, y compris les appareils de connexion de protection des moteurs (ACPM et ACPIM);
- organes de commande de contacteurs auxiliaires;
- contacts destinés exclusivement au circuit de la bobine du contacteur ou du contacteur auxiliaire;
- accessoires dédiés (câblage dédié, accessoires d'accrochage dédié, par exemple);
destinés à être connectés à des circuits de distribution, des circuits de moteur et à d'autres circuits de charge, dont la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 1 000 V en courant alternatif ou 1 500 V en courant continu.
Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition parue en 2018. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) objet du domaine d'application;
b) appareil de connexion de protection uniquement instantanée des moteurs (ACPIM) (3.5.33);
c) nature du matériel (5.2.1);
d) méthodes de protection des moteurs contre les surcharges (5.2.6);
e) adoption de la catégorie AC-7d de l'IEC 61095:2023 (en 5.4.2);
f) relais de surcharge monté séparément d'un démarreur (en 5.7.3 b));
g) démarreur et contacteur adaptés à une utilisation en aval d'un module d'entraînement principal (6.1.2 w));
h) référence à l'IEC TS 63058 pour les aspects relatifs à l'environnement (en 6.4);
i) câblage soumis à un mouvement (en 8.1.3);
j) utilisation d'un dispositif de limitation des transitoires de tension (8.1.18);
k) parties accessibles soumises à des limites de température (en 8.2.2.3);
l) référence à l'Annexe X de l'IEC 60947-1:2020 pour la coordination entre ACPM et DPCC (8.2.5.4);
m) référence à l'IEC TR 63216 avec différents environnements de CEM (8.3.1);
n) référence à l'IEC TR 63201 pour la conception des logiciels intégrés (8.4);
o) référence à l'IEC TS 63208 pour les aspects relatifs à la cybersécurité (8.5);
p) mise à jour et complément de la méthode de mesure de la consommation de puissance de l'électroaimant (9.3.3.2.1.2);
q) mise à jour de l'Annexe C, y compris justification de la catégorie AC-3e;
r) détermination du courant critique de charge pour les applications photovoltaïques (M.8.7).
La version française de cette norme n'a pas été soumise au vote.
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Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 60947-4-1 ®
Edition 5.0 2023-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 4-1: Contactors and motor-starters – Electromechanical contactors and
motor-starters
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 4-1: Contacteurs et démarreurs de moteurs – Contacteurs et démarreurs
électromécaniques
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IEC 60947-4-1 ®
Edition 5.0 2023-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 4-1: Contactors and motor-starters – Electromechanical contactors and
motor-starters
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 4-1: Contacteurs et démarreurs de moteurs – Contacteurs et démarreurs
électromécaniques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.99, 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7773-7
– 2 – IEC 60947-4-1:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 10
1 Scope . 13
2 Normative references . 14
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms . 15
3.1 General . 15
3.2 Alphabetical index of terms . 15
3.3 Terms and definitions concerning contactors . 18
3.4 Terms and definitions of the functions of starters . 19
3.5 Terms and definitions concerning starters . 20
3.6 Terms and definitions concerning characteristic quantities . 26
3.7 Terms and definitions concerning safety aspects . 28
3.8 Terms and definitions concerning electric motor characteristics . 31
3.9 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 31
4 Classification . 32
5 Characteristics of contactors and starters . 33
5.1 Summary of characteristics . 33
5.2 Type of equipment . 33
5.2.1 Kind of equipment . 33
5.2.2 Number of poles . 34
5.2.3 Kind of current (AC or DC) . 34
5.2.4 Interrupting medium (air, oil, gas, vacuum, etc.) . 34
5.2.5 Operating conditions of the equipment . 34
5.2.6 Methods of overload protection of motors . 34
5.3 Rated and limiting values for main circuits . 35
5.3.1 Rated voltages . 35
5.3.2 Currents or powers . 36
5.3.3 Rated frequency . 38
5.3.4 Rated duties . 38
5.3.5 Normal load and overload characteristics . 39
5.3.6 Short-circuit characteristics . 41
5.3.7 Pole impedance of a contactor (Z) or starter . 41
5.4 Utilization category . 41
5.4.1 General . 41
5.4.2 Assignment of utilization categories based on the results of tests . 42
5.5 Control circuits . 43
5.6 Auxiliary circuits . 44
5.7 Characteristics of relay and release of overload relays and of motor
protective switching device (MPSD) . 44
5.7.1 Summary of characteristics . 44
5.7.2 Types of relay or release . 44
5.7.3 Characteristic values . 45
5.7.4 Designation and current settings of overload relays . 46
5.7.5 Time-current characteristics of overload relays . 47
5.7.6 Influence of ambient air temperature. 47
5.8 Co-ordination with short-circuit protective devices . 47
5.9 Void . 47
5.10 Types and characteristics of automatic change-over devices and automatic
acceleration control devices . 47
5.10.1 Types . 47
5.10.2 Characteristics. 47
5.11 Types and characteristics of auto-transformers for two-step auto-transformer
starters . 48
5.12 Types and characteristics of starting resistors for rheostatic rotor starters . 48
6 Product information . 49
6.1 Nature of information . 49
6.1.1 Identification . 49
6.1.2 Characteristics, basic rated values and utilization . 49
6.2 Marking . 51
6.3 Instructions for installation, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and
dismantling . 52
6.4 Environmental information . 52
6.5 Instruction for equipment capable to be reused, repaired and upgraded . 53
7 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions . 53
8 Constructional and performance requirements . 53
8.1 Constructional requirements . 53
8.1.1 General . 53
8.1.2 Materials . 54
8.1.3 Current-carrying parts and their connections . 54
8.1.4 Clearances and creepage distances . 54
8.1.5 Actuator . 55
8.1.6 Indication of the contact position . 55
8.1.7 Additional requirements for equipment suitable for isolation . 55
8.1.8 Terminals . 56
8.1.9 Additional requirements for equipment provided with a neutral pole . 56
8.1.10 Provisions for protective earthing . 56
8.1.11 Enclosures for equipment . 56
8.1.12 Degrees of protection of enclosed equipment . 56
8.1.13 Conduit pull-out, torque and bending with metallic conduits . 56
8.1.14 Limited energy source . 57
8.1.15 Stored charge energy circuit . 59
8.1.16 Fault and abnormal conditions . 59
8.1.17 Short-circuit and overload protection of ports . 60
8.1.18 Use of voltage transient limiting device . 60
8.2 Performance requirements . 60
8.2.1 Operating conditions . 60
8.2.2 Temperature-rise . 66
8.2.3 Dielectric properties . 69
8.2.4 Normal load and overload performance requirements . 70
8.2.5 Co-ordination with short-circuit protective devices . 75
8.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 77
8.3.1 General . 77
8.3.2 Immunity . 78
8.3.3 Emission . 78
8.4 Embedded software . 79
8.5 Security . 79
– 4 – IEC 60947-4-1:2023 © IEC 2023
9 Tests . 79
9.1 Kinds of test . 79
9.1.1 General . 79
9.1.2 Type tests . 79
9.1.3 Routine tests . 79
9.1.4 Sampling tests . 80
9.1.5 Special tests . 80
9.2 Compliance with constructional requirements . 81
9.2.1 General . 81
9.2.2 Electrical performance of screwless-type clamping units . 81
9.2.3 Ageing test for screwless-type clamping units . 82
9.2.4 Limited energy source test . 82
9.2.5 Breakdown of components . 83
9.2.6 Wire flexing test . 83
9.3 Compliance with performance requirements . 84
9.3.1 Test sequences . 84
9.3.2 General test conditions . 84
9.3.3 Performance under no load, normal load and overload conditions . 85
9.3.4 Performance under short-circuit conditions . 98
9.3.5 Overload current withstand capability of contactors and IMPSDs . 104
9.3.6 Routine tests and sampling tests . 104
9.4 EMC tests . 106
9.4.1 General . 106
9.4.2 Immunity . 106
9.4.3 Emission . 108
Annex A (normative) Marking and identification of terminals of contactors, starters and
associated overload relays . 110
A.1 General . 110
A.2 Marking and identification of terminals of main circuits . 110
A.3 Marking and identification of terminals of overload relays . 110
Annex B (normative) Special tests . 112
B.1 General . 112
B.2 Mechanical durability . 112
B.2.1 General . 112
B.2.2 Verification of mechanical durability . 112
B.3 Electrical durability . 114
B.3.1 General . 114
B.3.2 Results to be obtained . 115
B.3.3 Statistical analysis of test results for contactors or starters . 115
B.4 Co-ordination at the crossover current between the starter and associated
SCPD . 116
B.4.1 General . 116
B.4.2 Condition for the test for the verification of co-ordination at the
crossover current by a direct method . 116
B.4.3 Test currents and test circuits . 116
B.4.4 Test procedure and results to be obtained . 117
B.4.5 Verification of co-ordination at the crossover current by an indirect
method . 117
Annex C (informative) Electric motor evolutions and motor starting methods . 120
C.1 General . 120
C.1.1 Major changes on the market concerning electrical motors . 120
C.1.2 Electric motor characteristics . 121
C.1.3 Efficiency motor analysis . 121
C.1.4 Impacts on switchgear and controlgear . 123
C.2 Typical variants direct-on-line starters. 123
C.3 Functional aspects of motor starters . 126
C.4 Currents and torques during a star-delta start . 128
C.5 Currents and torques during an auto-transformer start . 131
C.6 Currents waveform of the different modes of operation of a starter . 133
Annex D (informative) Items subject to agreement between manufacturer and user . 135
Annex E (Void) . 136
Annex F (normative) Requirements for auxiliary contact linked with power contact
(mirror contact) . 137
F.1 Application and object . 137
F.1.1 Application . 137
F.1.2 Object . 137
F.2 Characteristics . 137
F.3 Product information . 137
F.4 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions . 138
F.5 Constructional and performance requirements . 138
F.6 Tests . 138
F.6.1 General . 138
F.6.2 Tests on products in a new condition . 138
F.6.3 Test after conventional operational performance (defined under
Table 10) . 139
Annex G (informative) Rated operational currents and rated operational powers of
switching devices for electrical motors . 140
G.1 General . 140
G.2 Rated operational powers and rated operational currents . 140
Annex H (normative) Extended functions to electronic overload relays . 144
H.1 General . 144
H.2 Limits of operation of control functions . 144
H.2.1 General . 144
H.2.2 Limits of electronic overload relay with main circuit undervoltage
restarting function . 144
H.3 Test of the control functions . 144
Annex I (informative) AC-1 contactors for use with semiconductor controlled motor
load 145
Annex J (Void) . 146
Annex K (normative) Procedure to determine data for electromechanical contactors
used in functional safety applications . 147
K.1 General . 147
K.2 Test requirements . 147
K.3 Characterization of a failure mode . 147
K.4 Failure ratios of a contactor . 147
– 6 – IEC 60947-4-1:2023 © IEC 2023
Annex L (normative) Assessment procedure for electromechanical overload protection
used in safety applications and especially in explosive atmospheres . 149
L.1 Application and object . 149
L.1.1 Application . 149
L.1.2 Object . 149
L.2 Procedure . 149
L.2.1 General . 149
L.2.2 Safety design process . 150
L.3 Requirements . 150
L.3.1 General . 150
L.3.2 Safety plan . 150
L.3.3 Design . 151
L.3.4 Failure mode and effects analysis of the safety function . 151
L.3.5 Design plan . 152
L.3.6 Verification . 152
L.3.7 Function assessed . 152
L.4 Documentation . 152
L.4.1 Technical safety documentation . 152
L.4.2 Safety instructions . 152
L.5 Example. 153
L.5.1 architecture description . 153
L.5.2 FMEA . 154
Annex M (normative) DC contactors for use in photovoltaic (PV) applications . 162
M.1 Application . 162
M.2 Object . 162
M.3 Classification . 162
M.4 Characteristics . 162
M.4.1 General . 162
M.4.2 Rated impulse withstand voltage. 162
M.4.3 Utilization category . 163
M.5 Product information . 163
M.6 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions . 164
M.6.1 General . 164
M.6.2 Ambient air temperature . 164
M.6.3 Altitude . 164
M.7 Constructional and performance requirements . 164
M.7.1 Constructional requirements . 164
M.7.2 Performance requirements . 164
M.7.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 165
M.8 Tests . 166
M.8.1 General . 166
M.8.2 Type tests . 166
M.8.3 Making and breaking capacities and conventional operational
performance . 166
M.8.4 Thermal cycling test . 166
M.8.5 Climatic test. 167
M.8.6 Dielectric test . 167
M.8.7 Critical load current test . 167
M.8.8 Mechanical and electrical properties of terminals . 168
M.8.9 Degree of protection of enclosed contactors . 168
M.8.10 EMC . 168
M.8.11 Clearance and creepage distances . 168
Annex N (normative) Additional requirements and tests for equipment with protective
separation . 169
N.1 General . 169
N.2 Terms and definitions . 169
N.3 Requirements . 169
N.3.1 Test method for implementing protective impedance . 169
N.3.2 Touch current measurement . 170
Annex O (normative) Load monitoring indicators . 172
O.1 General . 172
O.2 Indicators list . 172
O.3 Uncertainty . 174
O.4 Tests . 175
O.4.1 Routine tests . 175
O.4.2 Type tests . 175
Annex P (normative) Short-circuit breaking tests of MPSD . 177
P.1 General test conditions . 177
P.2 Rated service short-circuit breaking capacity . 178
P.2.1 General . 178
P.2.2 Test of rated service short-circuit breaking capacity. 178
P.2.3 Verification of operational performance capability . 178
P.2.4 Verification of dielectric withstand . 178
P.2.5 Verification of temperature-rise . 179
P.2.6 Verification of overload releases . 179
P.3 Rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity . 179
P.3.1 General . 179
P.3.2 Verification of overload releases . 179
P.3.3 Test of rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity . 180
P.3.4 Verification of dielectric withstand . 180
P.3.5 Verification of overload releases . 180
P.4 Test of MPSD for IT system . 180
P.4.1 General . 180
P.4.2 Individual pole short-circuit . 181
P.4.3 Verification of dielectric withstand . 181
P.4.4 Verification of overload releases . 181
P.4.5 Marking . 182
Bibliography . 183
Figure 1 – Multiple of current setting limits for ambient air temperature compensated
time-delay overload relays . 63
Figure 2 – Thermal memory test . 64
Figure 3 – Example of different parts . 67
Figure 4 – Examples of co-ordination characteristics of a starter. 77
Figure 5 – Voltage drop measurement at contact point of the clamping terminal . 82
Figure 6 – Peak current envelope . 89
Figure A.1 – Main circuit . 110
– 8 – IEC 60947-4-1:2023 © IEC 2023
Figure A.2 – Overload relays . 111
Figure B.1 – Examples of time-current withstand characteristic . 119
Figure C.1 – Electric motor characteristics . 121
Figure C.2 – Rated current of different energy efficiency classes . 122
Figure C.3 – Ratio of the rated locked-rotor current to the nominal current. 122
Figure C.4 – Ratio of the inrush current to the nominal current . 123
Figure C.5 – Connections to motor windings . 124
Figure C.6 – Current and torque during direct-on-line starting . 125
Figure C.7 – Typical variants of protected starters, combination starters, protected
switching devices and combination switching devices . 126
Figure C.8 – Functional view of motor starters . 127
Figure C.9 – Motor overload protection embedded into a circuit-breaker . 128
Figure C.10 – Typical curves of currents and torques during a star-delta start . 129
Figure C.11 – Timing of star-delta-switching . 130
Figure C.12 – Typical method and diagram of starting alternating-current induction
motors by means of star-delta starter . 131
Figure C.13 – Typical curves of currents and torques during an auto-transformer
starting of a motor . 132
Figure C.14 – Typical schematic diagrams for starting alternating-current induction
motors by means of auto-transformers . 133
Figure C.15 – Examples of current and time curves of motor starting and stopping in
one or two directions . 134
Figure F.1 – Mirror contact . 138
Figure L.1 – Safety design process . 150
Figure L.2 – Typical structure of a thermal overload relay . 153
Figure L.3 – typical structure of MPSD . 154
Figure N.1 – Protection by means of protective impedance . 170
Figure N.2 – Measuring instrument . 171
Figure O.1 – Example of quantification of a process change . 174
Table 1 – Utilization categories . 43
Table 2 – Trip classes of overload relays . 46
Table 19 – Limits for limited energy sources without an overcurrent protective device . 58
Table 20 – Limits for limited energy sources with an overcurrent protective device . 58
Table 21 – Limits for limited energy source with current limiting impedance . 59
Table 3 – Limits of operation of time-delay overload relays when energized on all poles . 63
Table 4 – Limits of operation of three-pole time-delay overload relays when energized
on two poles only . 65
Table 5 – Temperature-rise limits for insulated coils in air and in oil . 66
Table 6 – Intermittent duty test cycle data . 69
Table 7 – Making and breaking capacities – Making and breaking conditions according
to utilization category . 70
Table 8 – Relationship between the test current and off-time for the verification of rated
making and breaking capacities . 72
Table 9 – Operational current determination for utilization categories AC-6a and AC-6b
when derived from AC-3 ratings . 72
Table 10 – Conventional operational performance – Making and breaking conditions
according to utilization category . 73
Table 11 – Overload cu
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