IEC 61095:2009
(Main)Electromechanical contactors for household and similar purposes
Electromechanical contactors for household and similar purposes
IEC 61095:2009 applies to electromechanical air break contactors for household and similar purposes provided with main contacts intended to be connected to circuits the rated voltage of which does not exceed 440 V a.c. (between phases) with rated operational currents less than or equal to 63 A for utilization category AC-7a and 32 A for utilization categories AC-7b and AC-7c, and rated conditional short-circuit current less than or equal to 6 kA. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1992 and its Amendment 1 (2000), and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- deletion of switching overvoltages requirements,
- addition of a new utilization category AC-7c: switching of compensated electric discharge lamp control,
- measuring of Uimp required, but the marking is not required if Uimp equal to 4 kV,
- improvement regarding marking concerning direction of movement,
- improvement of dielectric properties,
- test of resistance to humidity referred to IEC 60068-2-78 instead of IEC 60068-2-3,
- amendment to Table B.1 regarding test sequences,
- deletion of Table F.2 regarding the correspondence between the nominal voltage of the supply system and the contactor rated impulse withstand voltage,
- addition of a new Annex H (normative): degrees of protection of enclosed contactor,
- addition of a new Annex I (normative): requirements and tests for equipment with protective separation.
Contacteurs électromécaniques pour usages domestiques et analogues
La CEI 61095:2009 est applicable aux contacteurs électromécaniques à air pour usages domestiques et analogues dont les contacts principaux sont destinés à être reliés à des circuits dont la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 440 V en courant alternatif (entre phases) et dont les courants assignés d'emploi sont inférieurs ou égaux à 63 A pour la catégorie d'emploi AC-7a et à 32 A pour les catégories d'emploi AC-7b et AC-7c, et le courant assigné de court-circuit conditionnel est inférieur ou égal à 6 kA. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 1992 et son Amendement 1 (2000). Elle constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- suppression des exigences concernant les surtensions de manoeuvre,
- ajout de la nouvelle catégorie d'utilisation AC-7c: commande de lampes à décharge électrique avec compensation,
- exigence de mesure de Uimp,
- amélioration concernant le marquage,
- test de résistance à l'humidité basée sur CEI 60068-2-78,
- amendement au Tableau B.1,
- suppression du Tableau F.2,
- ajout de la nouvelle Annexe H (normative): degrés,
- ajout de la nouvelle Annexe I (normative).
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 61095 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electromechanical contactors for household and similar purposes
Contacteurs électromécaniques pour usages domestiques et analogues
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IEC 61095 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electromechanical contactors for household and similar purposes
Contacteurs électromécaniques pour usages domestiques et analogues
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
XF
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.120.99; 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-88910-411-6
– 2 – 61095 © IEC:2009
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.6
INTRODUCTION.8
1 Scope.9
2 Normative references .9
3 Terms and definitions .11
3.1 General terms .11
3.2 Switching devices.13
3.3 Parts of switching devices .15
3.4 Operation of switching devices .18
3.5 Characteristic quantities .19
4 Classification.24
5 Characteristics of contactors .24
5.1 Summary of characteristics .24
5.2 Type of contactor .24
5.2.1 Number of poles .24
5.2.2 Method of control.24
5.3 Rated and limiting values for main circuits.24
5.3.1 General .24
5.3.2 Rated voltages .24
5.3.3 Currents or powers .25
5.3.4 Rated frequency .26
5.3.5 Rated duties .26
5.3.6 Normal load and overload characteristics .27
5.3.7 Rated conditional short-circuit current .28
5.4 Utilization category.28
5.4.1 General .28
5.4.2 Assignment of utilization categories based on the results of tests.28
5.5 Control circuits .29
5.6 Auxiliary circuits .29
5.7 Co-ordination with short-circuit protective devices .29
6 Product information .29
6.1 Nature of information.29
6.1.1 Identification.29
6.1.2 Characteristics, basic rated values and utilization.30
6.2 Marking .30
6.3 Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance .31
7 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions.31
7.1 Normal service conditions .31
7.1.1 Ambient air temperature .31
7.1.2 Altitude.32
7.1.3 Atmospheric conditions.32
7.1.4 Normal electromagnetic environmental conditions .33
7.2 Conditions during transport and storage .33
7.3 Mounting .33
8 Constructional and performance requirements.33
8.1 Constructional requirements.33
61095 © IEC:2009 – 3 –
8.1.1 General .33
8.1.2 Materials .33
8.1.3 Strength of screws or nuts other than those on terminals which are
intended to be operated during installation or maintenance .34
8.1.4 Vacant.35
8.1.5 Actuator.35
8.1.6 Indication of the OFF and ON positions .35
8.1.7 Terminals .36
8.1.8 Additional requirements for contactors provided with a neutral pole.37
8.1.9 Provisions for earthing.37
8.1.10 Enclosures .38
8.1.11 Degrees of protection of enclosed contactors .39
8.1.12 Resistance to impact .39
8.1.13 Durability of markings .39
8.2 Performance requirements .40
8.2.1 Operating conditions.40
8.2.2 Temperature-rise .40
8.2.3 Dielectric properties.43
8.2.4 Normal load and overload performance requirements .45
8.2.5 Co-ordination with short-circuit protective devices .47
8.3 Electromagnetic compatibility .47
8.3.1 Immunity .47
8.3.2 Emission .47
9 Tests .48
9.1 Types of test .48
9.1.1 General .48
9.1.2 Type tests .48
9.1.3 Routine tests .48
9.1.4 Sampling tests for clearance verification.49
9.2 Compliance with constructional requirements .49
9.2.1 General .49
9.2.2 Materials .49
9.2.3 Test on screws or nuts other than those on terminals which are
intended to be operated during installation or maintenance .52
9.2.4 Verification of the degrees of protection of enclosed contactors.52
9.2.5 Mechanical properties of terminals .52
9.2.6 Test of resistance to impact.55
9.2.7 Test of durability of marking .57
9.3 Compliance with performance requirements .58
9.3.1 Test sequences .58
9.3.2 General test conditions.58
9.3.3 Performance under no load, normal load and overload conditions .60
9.3.4 Performance under short-circuit conditions .71
9.3.5 Overload current withstand capability .76
9.3.6 Routine tests .76
Annex A (normative) Terminal marking and distinctive number .95
Annex B (normative) Test sequences and number of samples . 100
Annex C (normative) Description of a method for adjusting the load circuit . 102
Annex D (normative) Determination of short-circuit power-factor. 104
– 4 – 61095 © IEC:2009
Annex E (normative) Measurement of creepage distances and clearances . 106
Annex F (normative) Correlation between the nominal voltage of the supply system
and the rated impulse withstand voltage of a contactor .111
Annex G (normative) Hot wire ignition test .113
Annex H (normative) Degrees of protection of enclosed contactor . 115
Annex I (normative) Requirements and tests for equipment with protective separation. 122
Figure 1 – Thread-forming tapping screw .77
Figure 2 – Thread-cutting tapping screw .77
Figure 3 – Ball-pressure test apparatus (see 9.2.2.3.1).77
Figure 4 – Test equipment for flexion test (see 9.2.5.3) .78
Figure 5 – Gauges of form A and form B (see 9.2.5.5) .78
Figure 6 – Pendulum for mechanical impact test apparatus (striking element) (see
9.2.6.2.1) .79
Figure 7 – Mounting support for sample, for mechanical impact test (see 9.2.6.2.1).80
Figure 8 – Pendulum hammer test apparatus (see 9.2.6.2.1) .81
Figure 9 – Sphere test apparatus (see 9.2.6.2.2) .81
Figure 10 – Jointed test finger (according to IEC 60529).82
Figure 11 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of making and breaking
capacities of a single-pole contactor on single-phase a.c.83
Figure 12 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of making and breaking
capacities of a two-pole contactor on single-phase a.c.84
Figure 13 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of making and breaking
capacities of a three-pole contactor .85
Figure 14 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of making and breaking
capacities of a four-pole contactor .86
Figure 15 – Schematic illustration of the recovery voltage across contacts of the first
phase to clear (see 9.3.3.5.2, e)) under ideal conditions .87
Figure 16 – Diagram of a load circuit adjustment method .88
Figure 17 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit making and
breaking capacities of a single-pole contactor on single-phase a.c. .89
Figure 18 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit making and
breaking capacities of a two-pole contactor on single-phase a.c. .90
Figure 19 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit making and
breaking capacities of a three-pole contactor .91
Figure 20 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit making and
breaking capacities of a four-pole contactor.92
Figure 21 – Example of short-circuit making and breaking test record in the case of a
single-pole contactor on single-phase a.c. .93
Figure 22 – Diagram of the test circuit for making and breaking verification for
utilization category AC-7c .94
Figure C.1 – Determination of the actual value of the factor γ .103
Figure E.1 – Measurement of ribs .106
Figure E.2 – Creepage distance example 1.107
Figure E.3 – Creepage distance example 2.107
Figure E.4 – Creepage distance example 3.107
Figure E.5 – Creepage distance example 4.108
61095 © IEC:2009 – 5 –
Figure E.6 – Creepage distance example 5.108
Figure E.7 – Creepage distance example 6.108
Figure E.8 – Creepage distance example 7.109
Figure E.9 – Creepage distance example 8.109
Figure E.10 – Creepage distance example 9. 109
Figure E.11 – Creepage distance example 10 . 110
Figure E.12 – Creepage distance example 11 . 110
Figure G.1 – Test fixture for hot wire ignition test.113
Figure H.1 – IP Codes .119
Figure I.1 – Example of application with component connected between separated
circuits.126
Table 1 – Utilization categories .29
Table 2 – Standard cross-sections of round copper conductors.37
Table 3 – Temperature-rise limits for insulated coils in air.40
Table 4 – Temperature-rise limits of terminals .41
Table 5 – Temperature-rise limits of accessible parts.41
Table 6 – Intermittent duty test cycle data.42
Table 7 – Making and breaking capacities. Making and breaking conditions
corresponding to the utilization categories .45
Table 8 – Relationship between current broken I and off-time for the verification of
c
rated making and breaking capacities .46
Table 9 – Conventional operational performance. Making and breaking conditions
corresponding to the utilization categories .46
Table 10 – Overload current withstand requirements .47
Table 11 – Tightening torques for the verification of the mechanical strength of screw-
type terminals .53
Table 12 – Test values for flexion and pull-out tests for round copper conductors .54
Table 13 – Maximum conductor cross-sections and corresponding gauges .55
Table 14 – Tolerances on test quantities.59
Table 15 – Test copper conductors .62
Table 16 – Impulse test voltages and corresponding altitudes.66
Table 17 – Minimum clearances in air .67
Table 18 – Minimum creepage distances .67
Table 19 – Dielectric test voltage corresponding to the rated insulation voltage .68
Table 20 – Values of power-factors corresponding to test currents and ratio n between
peak and r.m.s. values of current .73
Table 21 – Value of the prospective test current according to the rated operational
current .75
Table B.1 – Test sequences.100
Table B.2 – Number of samples to be tested.101
Table F.1 – Correspondence between the nominal voltage of the supply system and
the contactor rated impulse withstand voltage, in case of over-voltage protection by
surge-arresters according to IEC 60099-1.112
– 6 – 61095 © IEC:2009
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTACTORS
FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
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
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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 matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
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4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61095 has been prepared by subcommittee 17B: Low-voltage
switchgear and controlgear, of IEC technical committee 17: Switchgear and controlgear in
conjunction with subcommittee 23E: Circuit-breakers and similar equipment for household
use, of IEC technical committee 23: Electrical accessories.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1992 and its
Amendment 1 (2000), and constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
– deletion of switching overvoltages requirements,
– addition of a new utilization category AC-7c: switching of compensated electric discharge
lamp control,
– measuring of Uimp required, but the marking is not required if Uimp equal to 4 kV,
– improvement regarding marking concerning direction of movement,
– improvement of dielectric properties,
– test of resistance to humidity referred to IEC 60068-2-78 instead of IEC 60068-2-3,
61095 © IEC:2009 – 7 –
– amendment to Table B.1 regarding test sequences,
– deletion of Table F.2 regarding the correspondence between the nominal voltage of the
supply system and the contactor rated impulse withstand voltage,
– addition of a new Annex H (normative): degrees of protection of enclosed contactor,
– addition of a new Annex I (normative): requirements and tests for equipment with
protective separation.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
17B/1640/FDIS 17B/1652/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 8 – 61095 © IEC:2009
INTRODUCTION
This International Standard gives requirements for contactors household and similar
purposes, including contactors for distribution control in buildings.
Contactors for such purposes have particular requirements which include test sequences and
sampling plans to facilitate testing.
Contactors according to this standard are limited in the range of operational currents and
operational voltages to values appropriate to the applications. Such contactors are for use in
circuits of limited prospective short-circuit fault current for which they need to be co-ordinated
with an appropriate short-circuit protective device to provide suitable co-ordination.
This standard defines in a single document the specific utilization category for a described
application and states the relevant requirements. As far as possible, it is in line with the
requirements contained in IEC 60947-4-1 "Electromechanical contactors and motor-starters".
This standard also applies to contactors which are components of an appliance, unless
otherwise stated in the standard covering the relevant appliance.
61095 © IEC:2009 – 9 –
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTACTORS
FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
1 Scope
This International Standard applies to electromechanical air break contactors for household
and similar purposes provided with main contacts intended to be connected to circuits the
rated voltage of which does not exceed 440 V a.c. (between phases) with rated operational
currents less than or equal to 63 A for utilization category AC-7a and 32 A for utilization
categories AC-7b and AC-7c, and rated conditional short-circuit current less than or equal to
6 kA.
The contactors dealt with in this standard are not normally designed to interrupt short-circuit
currents. Therefore, suitable short-circuit protection (see 9.3.4) shall form part of the
installation.
This standard does not apply to
– contactors complying with IEC 60947-4-1;
– semiconductor contactors;
– contactors designed for special applications;
– auxiliary contacts of contactors. These are dealt with in IEC 60947-5-1.
This standard states
1) the characteristics of contactors.
2) the conditions with which contactors shall comply with reference to:
a) their operation and behaviour;
b) their dielectric properties;
c) the degrees of protection provided by their enclosures, where applicable;
d) their construction;
e) their electromagnetic compatibility characteristics.
3) the tests intended for confirming that these conditions have been met, and the methods to
be adopted for these tests.
4) the test sequences and the number of samples.
5) the information to be given with contactors or in the manufacturer's literature.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60028:1925, International standard of resistance for copper
IEC 60050-151:2001, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 151: Electrical
and magnetic devices
IEC 60050-441:1984, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 441:
Switchgear, controlgear and fuses
Amendment 1 (2000)
– 10 – 61095 © IEC:2009
IEC 60050-604:1987, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 604:
Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity – Operation
Amendment 1 (1998)
IEC 60050-826:2004, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 826: Electrical
installations
IEC 60068-2-78:2001, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat,
steady state
IEC 60073:2002, Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification – Coding principles for indicators and actuators
IEC 60085:2007, Electrical insulation – Thermal evaluation and designation
IEC 60099-1:1991, Surge arresters – Part 1: Non-linear resistor type gapped surge arresters
for a.c. systems
Amendment 1 (1999)
IEC 60112:2003, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking
indices of solid insulating materials
IEC 60216 (all parts), Electrical insulating materials – Properties of thermal endurance
IEC 60364-4-44:2007, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-44: Protection for safety –
Protection against voltage disturbances and electromagnetic disturbances
IEC 60417-DB: 2007 , Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 60445:2006, Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification – Identification of equipment terminals and conductor terminations
IEC 60447:2004, Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification – Actuating principles
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
Amendment 1 (1999)
IEC 60664-1:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60695-2-10:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –
Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure
IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –
Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
IEC 60695-11-10:1999, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-10: Test flames – 50 W horizontal and
vertical flame test methods
Amendment 1 (2003)
IEC 60947-1:2007, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 1: General rules
___________
“DB” refers to the IEC on-line database.
61095 © IEC:2009 – 11 –
IEC 60947-4-1:2000, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 4-1: Contactors and
motor-starters – Electromechanical contactors and motor-starters
Amendment 1 (2002)
Amendment 2 (2005)
IEC 60947-5-1:2003, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-1: Control circuit
devices and switching elements – Electromechanical control circuit devices
IEC 61140:2001, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
Amendment 1 (2004)
IEC 61180 (all parts), High-voltage test techniques for low-voltage equipment
ISO 7000:2004, Graphical symbols for use on equipment – Index and synopsis
ISO 2039-2:1987, Plastics – Determination of hardness – Part 2: Rockwell hardness
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 General terms
3.1.1
over-current
current exceeding the rated current
[IEV 441-11-06]
3.1.2
short-circuit
accidental or intentional conductive path between two or more conductive parts forcing the
electric potential differences between these conductive parts to be equal to or close to zero
[IEV 151-12-04]
3.1.3
short-circuit current
over-current resulting from a short circuit due to a fault or an incorrect connection in an
electric circuit
[IEV 441-11-07]
3.1.4
overload
operating conditions in an electrically undamaged circuit which cause an over-current
[IEV 441-11-08]
3.1.5
overload current
over-current occurring in an electrically undamaged circuit
– 12 – 61095 © IEC:2009
3.1.6
ambient air temperature
temperature, determined under prescribed conditions, of the air surrounding the complete
switching device or fuse
NOTE For switching devices or fuses installed inside an enclosure, it is the temperature of the air outside the
enclosure.
[IEV 441-11-13]
3.1.7
conductive part
part which is capable of conducting current although it may not necessarily be used for
carrying service current
[IEV 441-11-09]
3.1.8
exposed conductive part
conductive part which can readily be touched and which is not normally alive, but which may
become alive under fault conditions
NOTE Typical exposed conductive parts are walls of enclosures, operating handles, etc.
[IEV 441-11-10]
3.1.9
electric shock
physiological effect resulting from an electric current through a human or animal body
[IEV 826-12-01]
3.1.10
live part
conductor or conductive part intended to be energized in normal operation, including a neutral
conductor, but by convention not a PEN conductor or PEM conductor or PEL conductor
NOTE This concept does not necessarily imply a risk of electric shock.
[IEV 826-12-08]
3.1.11
protective conductor (identification: PE)
conductor provided for purposes of safety, for example protection against electric shock
NOTE In an electrical installation, the conductor identified PE is normally also considered as protective earthing
conductor.
[IEV 826-13-22]
3.1.12
neutral conductor
conductor electrically connected to the neutral point and capable of contributing to the
distribution of electric energy
[IEV 826-14-07]
3.1.13
PEN conductor
conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a neutral
conductor
61095 © IEC:2009 – 13 –
[IEV 826-13-25]
3.1.14
PEM conductor
conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a mid-point
conductor
[IEV 826-13-26]
3.1.15
PEL conductor
conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a line
conductor
[IEV 826-13-27]
3.1.16
enclosure
part providing a specified degree of protection of equipment against certain external
influences and a specified degree of protection against approach to or contact with live parts
and moving parts
[IEV 441-13-01, modified]
NOTE This definition is similar to IEV 441-13-01, which applies to assemblies.
3.1.17
integral enclosure
enclosure which forms an integral part of the equipment
3.1.18
utilization category (for a switching device or a fuse)
combination of specified requirements related to the condition in which the switching device or
the fuse fulfils its purpose, selected to represent a characteristic group of practical
applications
NOTE The specified requirements may concern e.g. the values of making capacities (if applicable), breaking
capacities and other characteristics, the associated circuits and the relevant conditions of use and behaviour.
[IEV 441-17-19]
3.2 Switching devices
3.2.1
switching device
device designed to make or break the current in one or more electric circuits
[IEV 441-14-01]
NOTE A switching device may perform one or both of these operations.
3.2.2
mechanical switching device
switching device designed to close and open one or more electric circuits by means of
separable contacts
NOTE Any mechanical switching device may be designated according to the medium in which its contacts open
and close, e.g. air, SF , oil.
[IEV 441-14-02]
– 14 – 61095 © IEC:2009
3.2.3
semiconductor switching device
switching device designed to make and/or break the current in an electric circuit by means of
the controlled conductivity of a semiconductor
NOTE This definition differs from IEV 441-14-03 since a semiconductor switching device is also designed for
breaking the current.
[IEV 441-14-03, modified]
3.2.4
fuse
device that, by the fusing of one or more of its specifically designed and proportioned
components, opens the circuit in which it is inserted by breaking the current when this
exceeds a given value for a sufficient time. The fuse comprises all the parts that form the
complete device
[IEV 441-18-01]
3.2.5
circuit-breaker
mechanical switching device, capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal
circuit conditions and also making, carrying for a specified time and breaking currents under
specified abnormal circuit conditions such as those of short circuit
[IEV 441-14-20]
3.2.6
(mechanical) contactor
mechanical switching device having only one position of rest, operated otherwise than by
hand, capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions
including operating overload conditions
[IEV 441-14-33]
NOTE 1 The term "operated otherwise than by hand" means that the device is intended to be controlled and kept
in working position from one or more external supplies.
NOTE 2 In French, a contactor the main contacts of which are closed in the position of rest is usually called
"rupteur". The word "rupteur" has no equivalent in the English language.
NOTE 3 A contactor is usually intended to operate frequently.
3.2.7
electromagnetic contactor
contactor, in which the force for closing the normally open main contacts or opening the
normally closed main contacts is provided by an electromagnet
3.2.8
latched contactor
contactor, the moving elements of which are prevented by means of a latching arrangement
from returning to the position of rest when the operating means are de-energized
NOTE 1 The latching, and the release of the latching, may be mechanical, electrom
...
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