IEC 60947-3:2008

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units

IEC 60947-3:2008 applies to switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units to be used in distribution circuits and motor circuits of which the rated voltage does not exceed 1 000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c. This part does not apply to equipment coming within the scope of IEC 60947-2, IEC 60947-4-1 and IEC 60947-5-1; however, when switches and fuse-combination units coming into the scope of this part are normally used to start, accelerate and/or stop an individual motor they shall also comply with the additional requirements given in Annex A. The requirements for single pole operated three pole switches are included in Annex C. Auxiliary switches fitted to equipment within the scope of this part shall comply with the requirements of IEC 60947-5-1. This part does not include the additional requirements necessary for electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- alignment with the fifth edition of IEC 60947-1;
- a switching operation without current allowed between making and breaking operation (Table 3);
- increased number of operations for AC-23 allowed with agreement of the manufacturer (Table 3);
- simplified test procedure amended, f) added to 8.3.2.1.3;
- temperature rise test shall be made at the rated operational current /e instead of the conventional enclosed thermal current /the (8.3.3.1).

Appareillage à basse tension - Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-fusibles

La CEI 60947-3:2008 s'applique à l'appareillage suivant: interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-fusibles, destinés à être insérés dans des circuits de distribution et des circuits de moteurs dont la tension assignée est inférieure ou égale à 1 000 V en courant alternatif ou à 1 500 V en courant continu. La présente partie n'est pas applicable au matériel faisant partie du domaine d'application de la CEI 60947-2, de la CEI 60947-4-1 et de la CEI 60947-5-1; cependant, quand les interrupteurs et les combinés-fusibles faisant partie du domaine d'application de la présente partie sont normalement utilisés pour assurer le démarrage, l'accélération et/ou l'arrêt d'un moteur, ils doivent aussi répondre aux exigences supplémentaires figurant à l'Annexe A. Les exigences pour les interrupteurs tripolaires à commande unipolaire se trouvent à l'Annexe C. Les interrupteurs auxiliaires montés sur du matériel faisant partie du domaine d'application de la présente partie doivent satisfaire aux exigences de la CEI 60947-5-1. La présente partie ne contient pas les exigences supplémentaires nécessaires au matériel électrique pour atmosphères explosives. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- alignement avec la cinquième édition de la CEI 60947-1;
- une manoeuvre de commutation sans courant est admise entre une manoeuvre d'établissement et de coupure (Tableau 3);
- un nombre accru de manoeuvres pour AC-23 est admis avec l'accord du fabricant (Tableau 3);
- la procédure d'essai simplifiée est corrigée, le point f) a été ajouté en 8.3.2.1.3;
- l'essai d'échauffement doit être réalisé au courant assigné d'emploi /e au lieu du courant thermique conventionnel sous enveloppe /the (8.3.3.1).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Apr-2012
• ICS: 29.120.40 - Switches
• ICS: 29.130.20 - Low voltage switchgear and controlgear
• Technical Committee: SC 121A - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear
• Drafting Committee: MT 6 - TC 121/SC 121A/MT 6
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 31-Jan-2017
• Completion Date: 22-Apr-2020

Relations

• Amended By: IEC 60947-3:2008/AMD1:2012 - Amendment 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Amended By: IEC 60947-3:2008/AMD2:2015 - Amendment 2 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60947-3:1999/AMD1:2001 - Amendment 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60947-3:2020 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60947-3:1999/AMD2:2005 - Amendment 2 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60947-3:1999 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60947-3:1999/AMD1:2001/COR1:2001 - Corrigendum 1 to Amendment 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60947-3:1999/COR1:1999 - Corrigendum 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60947-3 CEI 60947-3
(Edition 3.1 – 2012) (Édition 3.1 – 2012)

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Appareillage à basse tension –

Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs,
switch-disconnectors and interrupteurs-sectionneurs et

fuse-combination units
...

IEC 60947-3
Edition 3.0 2008-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination
units
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-
fusibles
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.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.

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IEC 60947-3
Edition 3.0 2008-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination
units
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-
fusibles
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
XA
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.120.40; 29.130.20 ISBN 2-8318-9965-6
– 2 – 60947-3 © IEC:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4

1 General .6

1.1 Scope and object.6

1.2 Normative references .7

2 Terms and definitions .8

3 Classification .11

3.1 According to the utilization category.11

3.2 According to the method of operation of manually operated equipment.11
3.3 According to suitability for isolation .11
3.4 According to the degree of protection provided.11
4 Characteristics.12
4.1 Summary of characteristics.12
4.2 Type of equipment .12
4.3 Rated and limiting values for the main circuit .12
4.4 Utilization category .14
4.5 Control circuits .15
4.6 Auxiliary circuits .15
4.7 Relays and releases .15
5 Product information.15
5.1 Nature of information .15
5.2 Marking .16
5.3 Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance.17
6 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions.17
7 Constructional and performance requirements .17
7.1 Constructional requirements .17
7.2 Performance requirements.19
7.3 Electromagnetic compatibility.22
8 Tests .24
8.1 Kind of tests .24
8.2 Type tests for constructional requirements .25
8.3 Performance.29
8.4 Electromagnetic compatibility tests .45

8.5 Special tests.46
Annex A (normative) Equipment for direct switching of a single motor.47
Annex B (informative) Items subject to agreement between manufacturer and user.53
Annex C (normative) Single pole operated three pole switches .54
Bibliography .57

Figure 1 – Actuator applied force F.28
Figure C.1 – Typical arrangements.55

Table 1 – Summary of equipment definitions .11
Table 2 – Utilization categories.15
Table 3 – Verification of rated making and breaking capacities (see 8.3.3.3) –
Conditions for making and breaking corresponding to the various utilization categories.20

60947-3 © IEC:2008 – 3 –
Table 4 – Verification of operational performance – Number of operating cycles

corresponding to the rated operational current.21

Table 5 – Test circuit parameters for Table 4.21

Table 6 − Immunity tests .23

Table 7 − Emission limits.23

Table 8 – Actuator test forces.27

Table 9 – List of type tests applicable to a given equipment .29

Table 10 – Overall scheme of test sequences.30

Table 11 – Test sequence I: general performance characteristics .34

Table 12 – Temperature-rise limits for terminals and accessible parts.37
Table 13 – Test sequence II: operational performance capability .37
Table 14 – Test sequence III: short-circuit performance capability .39
Table 15 – Test sequence IV: conditional short-circuit current.43
Table 16 – Test sequence V: overload performance capability .45
Table A.1 – Utilization categories .48
Table A.2 – Rated making and breaking capacity conditions corresponding to several
utilization categories .48
Table A.3 – Relationship between current broken I and off-time for the verification of
c
the rated making and breaking capacities .49
Table A.4 – Operational performance – Conditions for making and breaking
corresponding to several utilization categories.49
Table A.5 – Verification of the number of on-load operating cycles – Conditions for
making and breaking corresponding to several utilization categories.52

– 4 – 60947-3 © IEC:2008
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR –

Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors

and fuse-combination units
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical mat
...

IEC 60947-3 ®
Edition 3.1 2012-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination
units
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-
fusibles
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.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les

microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.

Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette

publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

Useful links:
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by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
committee,…). definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in
It also gives information on projects, replaced and additional languages. Also known as the International
withdrawn publications. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) on-line.

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Elle donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles.
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contactez-nous: [e-mail].
IEC 60947-3 ®
Edition 3.1 2012-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –

Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination

units
Appareillage à basse tension –

Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-

fusibles
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX CQ
ICS 29.120.40; 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-017-8

– 2 – 60947-3  IEC:2008+A1:2012

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

1 General . 6

1.1 Scope and object . 6

1.2 Normative references . 7

2 Terms and definitions . 8

2.1 General . 11

2.2 Alphabetical index of terms . 11

2.3 Terms and definitions . 12
2.4 Summary of the equipment types . 14
3 Classification . 14
3.1 According to the utilization category . 14
3.2 According to the method of operation of manually operated equipment . 15
3.3 According to suitability for isolation . 15
3.4 According to the degree of protection provided . 15
4 Characteristics . 15
4.1 Summary of characteristics . 15
4.2 Type of equipment . 15
4.3 Rated and limiting values for the main circuit . 15
4.4 Utilization category . 17
4.5 Control circuits . 18
4.6 Auxiliary circuits . 18
4.7 Relays and releases . 19
4.8 Co-ordination with short circuit protective devices (SCPD). 19
5 Product information. 19
5.1 Nature of information . 19
5.2 Marking . 19
5.3 Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance . 20
6 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions . 20
7 Constructional and performance requirements . 20
7.1 Constructional requirements . 20
7.2 Performance requirements . 22
7.3 Electromagnetic compatibility . 26

8 Tests . 29
8.1 Kind of tests . 29
8.2 Type tests for constructional requirements . 30
8.3 Performance . 34
8.4 Electromagnetic compatibility tests . 51
8.5 Special tests . 52

Annex A (normative) Equipment for direct switching of a single motor . 53
Annex B (informative) Items subject to agreement between manufacturer and user. 59
Annex C (normative) Single pole operated three pole switches . 60

Bibliography . 63

60947-3  IEC:2008+A1:2012 – 3 –

Figure 1 – Actuator applied force F . 33

Figure C.1 – Typical arrangements . 61

Table 1 – Summary of equipment definitions . 11

Table 2 – Utilization categories . 18

Table 3 – Verification of rated making and breaking capacities (see 8.3.3.3) –

Conditions for making and breaking corresponding to the various utilization categories . 24

Table 4 – Verification of operational performance – Number of operating cycles

corresponding to the rated operational current . 25

Table 5 – Test circuit parameters for Table 4 . 25
Table 6 − Immunity tests . 27
Table 7 − Emission limits. 29
Table 8 – Actuator test forces . 33
Table 9 – List of type tests applicable to a given equipment . 34
Table 10 – Overall scheme of test sequences . 35
Table 11 – Test sequence I: general performance characteristics . 39
Table 12 – Temperature-rise limits for terminals and accessible parts. 42
Table 13 – Test sequence II: operational performance capability . 42
Table 14 – Test sequence III: short-circuit performance capability . 44
Table 15 – Test sequence IV: conditional short-circuit current . 49
Table 16 – Test sequence V: overload performance capability . 51
Table A.1 – Utilization categories . 54
Table A.2 – Rated making and breaking capacity conditions corresponding to several
utilization categories . 54
Table A.3 – Relationship between current broken I and off-time for the verification of
c
the rated making and breaking capacities . 55
Table A.4 – Operational performance – Conditions for making and breaking
corresponding to several utilization categories . 55
Table A.5 – Verification of the number of on-load operating cycles – Conditions for
making and breaking corresponding to several utilization categories . 58

– 4 – 60947-3  IEC:2008+A1:2012

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR –

Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors

and fuse-combination units
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Comm
...

IEC 60947-3 ®
Edition 3.2 2015-07
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination
units
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-
fusibles
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.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie

et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des

questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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77, 86 and CISPR.
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Centre: [e-mail].
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
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IEC 60947-3 ®
Edition 3.2 2015-07
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –

Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination

units
Appareillage à basse tension –

Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-

fusibles
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.40, 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-2823-4

IEC 60947-3 ®
Edition 3.2 2015-07
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination
units
Appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 3: Interrupteurs, sectionneurs, interrupteurs-sectionneurs et combinés-
fusibles
– 2 – IEC 60947-3:2008+AMD1:2012
+AMD2:2015 CSV © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FO REW O RD . 4
1 General . 6
1.1 Scope and object . 6
1.2 Normative references . 7
2 Terms, definitions and index of terms . 8
2.1 General . 8
2.2 Alphabetical index of terms . 8
2.3 Terms and definitions . 9
2.4 Summary of the equipment types . 12
3 Classification . 13
3.1 According to the utilization category . 13
3.2 According to the method of operation of manually operated equipment . 14
3.3 According to suitability for isolation . 14
3.4 According to the degree of protection pr ovided . 14
4 Characteristics . 14
4.1 Summary of characteristics . 14
4.2 Type of equipment . 14
4.3 Rated and limiting values for the main circuit . 14
4.4 Utilization category . 16
4.5 Control circuits . 17
4.6 Auxiliary circuits . 17
4.7 Relays and releases . 17
4.8 Co-ordination with short circuit protective devices (SCPD). 17
5 Product inform ation. 18
5.1 Nature of information . 18
5.2 Marking . 18
5.3 Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance . 19
6 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions . 19
7 Constructional and performance requirements . 19
7.1 Constructional requirements . 19
7.2 Performance requirements . 21
7.3 Electromagnetic compatibilit y . 25
8 Tests . 27
8.1 Kind of tests . 27
8.2 Type tests for constructional requirements . 28
8.3 Per f or m anc e . 32
8.4 Electromagnetic compatibility tests . 49
8.5 Special tes ts . 50
Annex A (normative) Equipment for direct switching of a single motor . 51
Annex B (informative) Items subject to agreement between manufacturer and user. 57
Annex C (normative) Single pole operated three pole switches . 58
Annex D (normative) Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-
combination units for use in photovoltaic (PV) d.c. applicati ons . 61
Bibliography . 73

+AMD2:2015 CSV © IEC 2015
Figure 1 – Actuate applied force F .
Figure C.1 – Typical arrangements . 59

Table 1 – Summary of equipment definitions . 13
Table 2 – Utilization categories . 17
Table 3 – Verification of rated making and breaking capacities (see 8.3.3.3) –
Conditions for making and breaking corresponding to the various utilization categories . 23
Table 4 – Verification of operational performance – Number of operating cycles
corresponding to the rated operational current . 24
Table 5 – Test circuit parameters for Table 4 . 24
Table 6 − Immunity tests . 26
Table 7 − Emission limits. 27
Table 8 − Actuator test forces .
Table 9 – List of type tests applicable to a given equipment . 32
Table 10 – Overall scheme of test sequences . 33
Table 11 – Test sequence I: general performance characteristics . 37
Table 12 – Temperature-rise limits for terminals and accessible parts. 40
Table 13 – Test sequence II: oper
...