IEC 61439-5:2023

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

IEC 61439-5:2023 is available as IEC 61439-5:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 61439-5:2023 defines the specific requirements for public electricity network distribution assemblies (PENDAs). PENDAs have the following criteria:
- used for the distribution of electrical energy in three phase systems for which the rated voltage does not exceed 1 000 V AC (see Figure 101 for a typical distribution network) and DC systems not exceeding 1 500 V DC;
- stationary;
- open type assemblies are not covered by this document;
- suitable for installation in places where only skilled persons have access for their use, however, outdoor types can be installed in situations that are accessible to ordinary persons
- intended for use in energy distribution in public power grids;
- indoor use: assemblies for installation inside of electric power substations;
- outdoor use: assemblies containing an enclosure suitable for open air installation.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) omission of the requirement to conduct mechanical tests at -25 °C when enclosures are made of a metallic material;
b) addition of assumed loading factors generation supplies and electric vehicle charging applications;
c) additional dielectric tests when a PENDA is used in a distribution substation with separate HV and LV earths;
d) further clarification of representative samples for design verification.

Ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension - Partie 5: Ensembles pour réseaux de distribution publique

IEC 61439-5:2023 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61439-5:2023 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.
L'IEC 61439-5:2023 définit les exigences spécifiques aux ensembles pour réseaux de distribution publique d'électricité (ERD). Les ERD remplissent les critères suivants:
- ils sont utilisés pour la distribution de l'énergie électrique dans des systèmes triphasés pour lesquels la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 1 000 V en courant alternatif (se reporter à la Figure 101 qui représente un réseau de distribution classique) et des systèmes à courant continu qui ne dépassent pas 1 500 V en courant continu;
- ils sont fixes;
- les ensembles ouverts ne sont pas couverts par le présent document;
- ils sont adaptés à une installation dans des emplacements où seules des personnes qualifiées ont accès pour leur utilisation; cependant, les types pour l'extérieur peuvent être installés dans des endroits accessibles à des personnes ordinaires;
- ils sont destinés à être utilisés dans les réseaux de distribution publique;
- à l'intérieur: ensembles installés à l'intérieur de postes d'alimentation électrique;
- à l'extérieur: ensembles avec une enveloppe adaptée à une installation en plein air.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) omission de l'exigence de réalisation d'essais mécaniques à -25 °C lorsque les enveloppes sont en matériau métallique;
b) ajout d'application de charge de véhicules électriques et de production d'énergie avec des facteurs de charge présumés;
c) ajout d'essais diélectriques lorsqu'un ERD est utilisé dans un poste avec terres HT et BT séparées;
d) description plus détaillée des échantillons représentatifs pour la vérification de la conception.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-May-2023
• ICS: 29.130.20 - Low voltage switchgear and controlgear
• Technical Committee: SC 121B - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies
• Drafting Committee: MT 7 - TC 121/SC 121B/MT 7
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 02-Jun-2023
• Completion Date: 05-May-2023

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61439-5:2014 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61439-5:2014/COR1:2015 - Corrigendum 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61439-5 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
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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 61439-5 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-6987-9

– 2 – IEC 61439-5:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 9
5 Interface characteristics. 9
6 Information . 10
7 Service conditions . 10
8 Constructional requirements . 10
9 Performance requirements. 14
10 Design verification . 14
11 Routine verification . 30
Annexes . 31
Annex O L (informative) Guidance on verification of temperature rise verification . 32
Annex AA (normative) Cross-section of conductors . 33
Annex BB (informative) Items subject to agreement between the assembly
manufacturer and the user . 35
Annex CC (informative) Design verification . 39
Annex DD (informative) List of notes concerning certain countries . 41
Bibliography . 42

Figure 101 – Typical distribution network . 7
Figure 102 – Diagram of test to verify resistance to shock load of a PENDA-O . 18
Figure 103 – Diagram of test to verify impact force withstand of a PENDA-O . 19
Figure 104 – Diagram of test to verify the resistance to static load . 20
Figure 105 – Sandbag for test to verify the resistance to shock load . 21
Figure 106 – Diagram of test to verify resistance to torsional stress of a PENDA-O . 23
Figure 107 – Diagram of test to verify the mechanical strength of doors . 26
Figure 108 – Striker element for test of resistance to mechanical shock impacts
induced by sharp-edged objects . 27
Figure 109 – Typical test arrangement for mechanical strength of base . 28

Table 101 – Values of assumed loading . 9
Table 102 – Axial load to be applied to the inserts . 27
Table AA.1 – Minimum and maximum cross-section of copper and aluminium
conductors, suitable for connection (see 8.8) . 33
Table AA.2 – Standard cross-sections of round copper conductors and approximate
relationship between mm and AWG/kcmil sizes (see 8.8 of IEC 61439‑1:2020) . 34
Table BB.1 – Items subject to agreement between the ASSEMBLY manufacturer
and the user . 35
Table CC.1 – List of design verifications to be performed. 39

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES –

Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

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 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
misinterpretation by any end user.
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 itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
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.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition IEC 61439-5:2014. A vertical bar appears in the margin
wherever a change has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in
strikethrough red text.
– 4 – IEC 61439-5:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
IEC 61439-5 has been prepared by subcommittee 121B: Low-voltage switchgear and
controlgear assemblies, of IEC technical committee 121: Switchgear and controlgear and their
assemblies for low voltage. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) omission of the requirement to conduct mechanical tests at -25 °C when enclosures are
made of a metallic material;
b) addition of assumed loading factors generation supplies and electric vehicle charging
applications;
c) additional dielectric tests when a PENDA is used in a distribution substation with separate
HV and LV earths;
d) further clarification of representative samples for design verification.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
121B/173/FDIS 121B/178/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
This document is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61439-1. The provisions of the general
rules dealt with in IEC 61439-1 are only applicable to this document insofar as they are
specifically cited. When this document states "addition", "modification" or "replacement", the
relevant text in IEC 61439-1:2020 is to be adapted accordingly. Subclauses that are numbered
with a 101 (102, 103 etc.) suffix are additional to the same subclause in IEC 61439‑1:2020.
Tables and figures in IEC 61439-5:2023 that are new are numbered starting with 101.
New annexes in IEC 61439-5:2023 are lettered AA, BB, etc.
The reader’s attention is drawn to the fact that Annex DD lists all of the "in-some-country"
clauses on differing practices of a less permanent nature relating to the subject of this
document.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61439 series, under the general title Low-voltage switchgear and
controlgear assemblies can be found on the IEC website.

The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates that it
contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its
contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

– 6 – IEC 61439-5:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
LOW-VO
...

IEC 61439-5 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

Ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension –
Partie 5: Ensembles pour réseaux de distribution publique
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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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.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
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and withdrawn publications.
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containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
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(IEV) online.
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IEC 61439-5 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –

Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

Ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension –

Partie 5: Ensembles pour réseaux de distribution publique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.130.20  ISBN 978-2-8322-6939-8

– 2 – IEC 61439-5:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 8
5 Interface characteristics. 8
6 Information . 8
7 Service conditions . 9
8 Constructional requirements . 10
9 Performance requirements. 12
10 Design verification . 12
11 Routine verification . 27
Annexes . 28
Annex L (informative) Guidance on verification of temperature rise . 29
Annex AA (normative) Cross-section of conductors . 30
Annex BB (informative) Items subject to agreement between the assembly
manufacturer and the user . 32
Annex CC (informative) Design verification . 36
Annex DD (informative) List of notes concerning certain countries . 37
Bibliography . 38

Figure 101 – Typical distribution network . 6
Figure 102 – Diagram of test to verify resistance to shock load of a PENDA-O . 15
Figure 103 – Diagram of test to verify impact force withstand of a PENDA-O . 16
Figure 104 – Diagram of test to verify the resistance to static load . 17
Figure 105 – Sandbag for test to verify the resistance to shock load . 18
Figure 106 – Diagram of test to verify resistance to torsional stress of a PENDA-O . 20
Figure 107 – Diagram of test to verify the mechanical strength of doors . 23
Figure 108 – Striker element for test of resistance to mechanical shock impacts
induced by sharp-edged objects . 24
Figure 109 – Typical test arrangement for mechanical strength of base . 25

Table 101 – Values of assumed loading . 8
Table 102 – Axial load to be applied to the inserts . 24
Table AA.1 – Minimum and maximum cross-section of copper and aluminium
conductors, suitable for connection (see 8.8) . 30
Table AA.2 – Standard cross-sections of round copper conductors and approximate
relationship between mm and AWG/kcmil sizes (see 8.8 of IEC 61439‑1:2020) . 31
Table BB.1 – Items subject to agreement between the ASSEMBLY manufacturer
and the user . 32
Table CC.1 – List of design verifications to be performed. 36

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES –

Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks

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 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
misinterpretation by any end user.
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 itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
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.
IEC 61439-5 has been prepared by subcommittee 121B: Low-voltage switchgear and
controlgear assemblies, of IEC technical committee 121: Switchgear and controlgear and their
assemblies for low voltage. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) omission of the requirement to conduct mechanical tests at -25 °C when enclosures are
made of a metallic material;
b) addition of assumed loading factors generation supplies and electric vehicle charging
applications;
c) additional dielectric tests when a PENDA is used in a distribution substation with separate
HV and LV earths;
d
...