IEC 62208:2011

Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - General requirements

IEC 62208:2011 applies to empty enclosures, prior to the incorporation of switchgear and controlgear components by the user, as supplied by the enclosure manufacturer. This standard specifies general definitions, classifications, characteristics and test requirements of enclosures to be used as part of switchgear and controlgear assemblies (e.g. in accordance with the IEC 61439 series), the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c., and suitable for general use for either indoor or outdoor applications. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2002. This edition constitutes a technical revision and includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the last edition:
- consideration of the restructured series of standards IEC 61439;
- alignment of test procedures with the newest relevant standards.

Enveloppes vides destinées aux ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension - Règles générales

La CEI 62208:2011 s'applique aux enveloppes vides, avant incorporation de l'appareillage par l'utilisateur, dans l'état où elles sont fournies par le fabricant. Cette norme spécifie les définitions, les classifications, les caractéristiques et les exigences d'essai générales des enveloppes à utiliser en tant que partie d'ensembles d'appareillage (selon par exemple la série CEI 61439), dont la tension assignée ne dépasse pas 1 000 V en courant alternatif ou 1 500 V en courant continu pour usage général extérieur ou intérieur. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2002. Cette édition constitue une révision technique et elle inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition antérieure:
- prise en compte de la série de normes CEI 61439 restructurée;
- alignement des procédures d'essai sur les toutes nouvelles normes applicables.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Aug-2011
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.130.20 - Low voltage switchgear and controlgear
• ICS: 33.200 - Telecontrol. Telemetering
• Technical Committee: SC 121B - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 19-Aug-2011
• Completion Date: 19-Aug-2011

Standards Content (sample)

IEC 62208
Edition 2.0 2011-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
General requirements
Enveloppes vides destinées aux ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension –
Exigences générales
IEC 62208:2011
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 62208
Edition 2.0 2011-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies –
General requirements
Enveloppes vides destinées aux ensembles d'appareillage à basse tension –
Exigences générales
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 29.130.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-661-3
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – 62208 © IEC:2011
CONTENTS

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 4

1 Scope ............................................................................................................................... 6

2 Normative references ....................................................................................................... 6

3 Terms and definitions ....................................................................................................... 7

4 Classification .................................................................................................................... 8

5 EMC requirements ............................................................................................................ 8

6 Information to be given regarding the enclosure ............................................................... 9

6.1 General ................................................................................................................... 9

6.2 Marking ................................................................................................................... 9

6.3 Documentation ........................................................................................................ 9

6.3.1 General ....................................................................................................... 9

6.3.2 Dimensions ................................................................................................. 9

6.3.3 Mounting arrangements ............................................................................. 10

6.3.4 Permissible loads ...................................................................................... 10

6.3.5 Lifting and transport support ...................................................................... 10

6.3.6 Protective circuit ........................................................................................ 10

7 Service conditions .......................................................................................................... 10

7.1 General ................................................................................................................. 10

7.2 Normal service conditions ..................................................................................... 10

7.2.1 Ambient air temperature ............................................................................ 10

7.2.2 Humidity conditions ................................................................................... 11

7.3 Special service conditions ..................................................................................... 11

7.4 Conditions during transport and storage ................................................................ 11

8 Design and construction ................................................................................................. 11

8.1 General ................................................................................................................. 11

8.2 Static loads ........................................................................................................... 12

8.3 Lifting and transport support .................................................................................. 12

8.4 Access to the interior of the enclosure ................................................................... 12

8.5 Protective circuit.................................................................................................... 12

8.6 Dielectric strength ................................................................................................. 12

8.7 Degree of protection (IK code) ............................................................................... 12

8.8 Degree of protection (IP code) ............................................................................... 13

9 Type tests ...................................................................................................................... 13

9.1 General ................................................................................................................. 13

9.2 General conditions of tests .................................................................................... 13

9.3 Marking ................................................................................................................. 14

9.4 Static loads ........................................................................................................... 14

9.5 Lifting .................................................................................................................... 14

9.6 Axial loads of metal inserts .................................................................................... 15

9.7 Degree of protection against external mechanical impacts (IK code) ..................... 15

9.8 Degree of protection (IP code) ............................................................................... 16

9.8.1 Degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against
the ingress of solid foreign objects indicated by first characteristic

numeral ..................................................................................................... 16

9.8.2 Degree of protection against ingress of water as indicated by second

characteristic numeral ............................................................................... 16

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62208 © IEC:2011 – 3 –
9.8.3 Degree of protection against hazardous parts as indicated by

additional letter .......................................................................................... 17

9.9 Properties of insulating materials .......................................................................... 17

9.9.1 Thermal stability ........................................................................................ 17

9.9.2 Resistance to normal heat ......................................................................... 17

9.9.3 Resistance to abnormal heat and to fire ..................................................... 17

9.10 Dielectric strength ................................................................................................. 18

9.10.1 General ..................................................................................................... 18

9.10.2 Preconditioning.......................................................................................... 19

9.10.3 Enclosures without metal elements inside the protected space .................. 19

9.10.4 Enclosures having metal elements inside the protected space ................... 19

9.10.5 Results to be obtained ............................................................................... 19

9.11 Continuity of the protective circuit.......................................................................... 19

9.12 Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation ................................................................ 20

9.13 Resistance to corrosion ......................................................................................... 20

9.13.1 General ..................................................................................................... 20

9.13.2 Test procedure .......................................................................................... 20

9.13.3 Results to be obtained ............................................................................... 21

9.14 Thermal power dissipation capability ..................................................................... 21

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 22

Table 1 – Number of samples to be tested and order of test per sample ............................... 13

Table 2 – Axial loads of metal inserts.................................................................................... 15

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– 4 – 62208 © IEC:2011
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
EMPTY ENCLOSURES FOR LOW-VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES –
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
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

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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

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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National

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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 62208 has been prepared by subcommittee 17D: Low-voltage

switchgear and controlgear assemblies, of IEC technical committee 17: Switchgear and

controlgear.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2002.

This edition constitutes a technical revision and includes the following significant technical

changes with respect to the last edition:
– consideration of the restructured series of standards IEC 61439;
– alignment of test procedures with the newest relevant standards.
---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
62208 © IEC:2011 – 5 –
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
17D/442/FDIS 17D/447/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 stability 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.
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– 6 – 62208 © IEC:2011
EMPTY ENCLOSURES FOR LOW-VOLTAGE
SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR ASSEMBLIES –
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1 Scope

This International Standard applies to empty enclosures, prior to the incorporation of

switchgear and controlgear components by the user, as supplied by the enclosure
manufacturer.

This standard specifies general definitions, classifications, characteristics and test

requirements of enclosures to be used as part of switchgear and controlgear assemblies (e.g.

in accordance with the IEC 61439 series), the rated voltage of which does not exceed

1 000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c., and suitable for general use for either indoor or outdoor

applications.
NOTE 1 Additional requirements may apply for specific applications.

NOTE 2 The United States of America (USA) uses enclosure “Type” designations according to NEMA 250. The

NEMA Enclosure Type designations specify additional environmental requirements for conditions such as

corrosion, rust, icing, oil, and coolants. For this reason, the IEC Enclosure Classification Designations IP are used

with an enclosure Type designation number appropriate for these markets.

This standard does not apply to enclosures, which are covered by other specific products

standards (e.g. IEC 60670 series).

Compliance with the safety requirements of the applicable product standard is the

responsibility of the assembly manufacturer.
NOTE 3 This standard may serve as a basis for other technical committees.
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 60068-2-2:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat

IEC 60068-2-11:1981, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka:

Salt mist

IEC 60068-2-30:2005, Environmental testing – Part 2-30: Tests – Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic

(12 h + 12 h cycle)
IEC 60085:2007, Electrical insulation – Thermal evaluation and designation
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

IEC 60695-2-10:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –

Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure
___________

There is a consolidated edition 2.1 (2001) that includes IEC 60529 (1989) and its Amendment 1 (1999).

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
62208 © IEC:2011 – 7 –

IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –

Glow-wire flammability test methods for end-products

IEC 61439-1:2011, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies – Part 1: General

rules

IEC 62262:2002, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment

against external mechanical impacts (IK code)
ISO 178:2001, Plastics – Determination of flexural properties
ISO 179 (all parts), Plastics – Determination of Charpy impact properties
ISO 2409:2007, Paints and varnishes – Cross-cut test

ISO 4628-3:2003, Paints and varnishes – Evaluation of degradation of coatings – Designation

of quantity and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance – Part 3:

Assessment of degree of rusting

ISO 4892-2:2006, Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources – Part 2: Xenon-

arc sources
Amendment 1 (2009)

ISO 11469:2000, Plastics – Generic identification and marking of plastic products

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
empty enclosure

enclosure intended for support and installation of electrical equipment, whose internal space

provides suitable protection against external influences as well as a specified degree of

protection against approach to or contact with live parts and against contact with moving parts

NOTE 1 Throughout this standard, the word enclosure is used for empty enclosure.

NOTE 2 The terms boxes, cubicles, desks or cabinets are alternative terms for enclosures.

3.2
protected space

internal space or portion of the internal space of the enclosure as specified by the

manufacturer intended for the mounting of switchgear and controlgear for which the specified

protection is provided by the enclosure
3.3
cover
external part of the enclosure
3.4
door
hinged or sliding cover
___________
To be published.
---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
– 8 – 62208 © IEC:2011
3.5
mounting plate

separate internal accessory of the enclosure intended for the mounting of electrical

components
3.6
cable gland plate

removable accessory of the enclosure, intended for securing and sealing of cables,

conductors and conduits at their point of entry
3.7
removable cover

cover which is designed for closing an opening in the external enclosure and which can be

removed for carrying out certain operations and maintenance work
NOTE A lid is considered as a removable cover.
3.8
enclosure manufacturer

manufacturer of an enclosure or the vendor who resells under his own responsibility

4 Classification
Enclosures are classified according to:
a) the type of material:
• insulating;
• metallic;
• combination of insulating and metallic;
b) method of fixing:
• floor standing;
• wall mounting;
• flush mounting;
• pole mounting;
c) the intended location:
• outdoor;
• indoor;
d) the degree of protection:
• IP code, according to IEC 60529;
• IK code, according to IEC 62262;
e) the rated insulation voltage (for enclosures made of insulating materials).
5 EMC requirements
EMC requirements are not applicable for enclosures to this standard.

NOTE For degrees of protection provided by enclosures against electromagnetic disturbances (EM code), see

IEC 61000-5-7.
---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
62208 © IEC:2011 – 9 –
6 Information to be given regarding the enclosure
6.1 General
The following information shall be given by the manufacturer.
6.2 Marking

The enclosure shall be identifiable, making it possible for the assembly manufacturer to obtain

relevant information from the enclosure manufacturer. Such identification shall comprise:

• either the name, trade mark or identification mark of the enclosure manufacturer;

• type designation or identification number of the enclosure.
The marking shall be durable and easily legible and may be inside the enclosure.
Compliance is checked according to the test of 9.3 and by inspection.
Marking for the recycling of plastic parts shall be as stated in ISO 11469.

NOTE Marking of enclosures intended for total insulation (equivalent to class II) assemblies with the symbol

IEC 60417-5172 is the responsibility of the assembly manufacturer.
6.3 Documentation
6.3.1 General

The manufacturer's documentation shall include all relevant constructional, mechanical

characteristics, the enclosure classification (see Clause 4) and any instruction necessary for

the correct handling, assembling, mounting and service conditions of the enclosure as well as

reference to this standard:
• dimensions (see 6.3.2);
• mounting arrangements (see 6.3.3);
• permissible loads (see 6.3.4);
• lifting devices, if necessary (see 6.3.5);
• provisions for protection against electric shock (see 6.3.6);
• applicable service conditions (see Clause 7);
• location and size of protected space;
• data of thermal power dissipation capability;
• rated insulation voltage of enclosures constructed of an insulating material;
• degree of protection (IK and IP codes, see 8.7 and 8.8).

The data for the thermal power dissipation capability are a function of the admissible

temperature inside the enclosure. They shall be provided for the different installation methods

(e.g. flush mounting, surface mounting) of the enclosure and of the design of the enclosure,

i.e. with or without ventilation openings and number of horizontal partitions. They shall include

at least temperature rise inside the enclosure, at the top, and external surfaces temperature

rise, for a given power loss inside the enclosure. This will provide the user with the correct

data for the selection of the enclosure according to electrical equipment to be installed. For

the purpose of the calculation, it is assumed that the heat generated by the selected

equipment is distributed uniformly inside the protected space.
6.3.2 Dimensions
The dimensions shall be given in millimetres.
---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
– 10 – 62208 © IEC:2011

The external dimensions: height, width and depth are nominal values and shall be indicated in

the catalogue of the enclosure manufacturer.

The projection of cable gland plates, removable covers and handles shall not be included in

the external nominal dimensions, the dimensions of such shall be included in the
manufacturer’s documentation.
6.3.3 Mounting arrangements

The means and location of the enclosure mounting shall be defined in the enclosure

manufacturer's documentation.

The location of the equipment mounting surfaces and their means of fixing shall be defined in

the enclosure manufacturer's documentation.
6.3.4 Permissible loads

The permissible loads that the enclosure and its doors are able to carry shall be defined in the

enclosure manufacturer's documentation (see also 8.2).
6.3.5 Lifting and transport support

Where required, the correct location and installation of lifting and transport support and the

thread size of lifting devices, if applicable, shall be given in the enclosure manufacturer's

documentation or in the instructions on how the enclosure has to be handled (see also 8.3).

6.3.6 Protective circuit

The enclosure manufacturer shall indicate in the technical documentation, if the enclosure

ensures electrical continuity throughout by the conductive structural parts of the enclosure or

if and how separate protective conductors to the protective circuits of the installation shall be

carried out (see also 8.5).
7 Service conditions
7.1 General

Enclosures conforming to this standard are intended for use under the following service

conditions.

The enclosure manufacturer shall specify the locations for which the enclosure is intended.

7.2 Normal service conditions
7.2.1 Ambient air temperature
7.2.1.1 Ambient air temperature for indoor locations

The ambient air temperature does not exceed +40 °C and its average over a period of 24 h

does not exceed +35 °C.
The lower limit of the ambient air temperature is –5 °C.
7.2.1.2 Ambient air temperature for outdoor locations

The ambient air temperature does not exceed +40 °C and its average over a period of 24 h

does not exceed +35 °C.
---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------
62208 © IEC:2011 – 11 –
The lower limit of the ambient air temperature is –25 °C.
7.2.2 Humidity conditions
7.2.2.1 Humidity conditions for indoor locations

The relative humidity of the air does not exceed 50 % at a maximum temperature of +40 °C.

Higher relative humidity may be permitted at lower temperatures, for example 90 % at +20 °C.

Moderate condensation should be borne in mind which may occasionally occur due to

variations in temperature.
7.2.2.2 Humidity conditions for outdoor locations

The relative humidity may be temporarily as high as 100 % at a maximum temperature of

+25 °C.
7.3 Special service conditions
Where any of the followin
...