IEC 60898-3:2019

Electrical accessories - Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations - Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

IEC 60898-3:2019 applies to DC circuit-breakers, having a rated DC voltage not exceeding 440 V, a rated current not exceeding 125 A and a rated short-circuit capacity not exceeding 10 000 A.
These circuit-breakers are intended for the protection against overcurrents of wiring installations of buildings and similar applications; they are designed for use by uninstructed people and for not being maintained.

Petit appareillage électrique - Disjoncteurs pour la protection contre les surintensités pour installations domestiques et analogues - Partie 3: Disjoncteurs pour le fonctionnement en courant continu

IEC 60898-3:2019 La présente partie de l’IEC 60898 s'applique aux disjoncteurs à courant continu ayant une tension assignée en courant continu ne dépassant pas 440 V, un courant assigné ne dépassant pas 125 A et un pouvoir de coupure assigné ne dépassant pas 10 000 A.
Ces disjoncteurs sont destinés à la protection contre les surintensités des installations de câblage des bâtiments et autres applications analogues; ils sont conçus pour être utilisés par des personnes non averties et pour ne pas exiger de maintenance.
La présente version bilingue (2023-07) correspond à la version anglaise monolingue publiée en 2019-04.
La version française de cette norme n'a pas été soumise au vote.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 10-Feb-2022
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.060.10 - Wires
• ICS: 29.120.50 - Fuses and other overcurrent protection devices
• Technical Committee: SC 23E - Circuit-breakers and similar equipment for household use
• Drafting Committee: WG 1 - TC 23/SC 23E/WG 1
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 19-Apr-2019
• Completion Date: 05-Apr-2019

Relations

• Amended By: IEC 60898-3:2019/AMD1:2022 - Amendment 1 - Electrical accessories - Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations - Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations –
Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

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.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
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.

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need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service

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IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for

household and similar installations –

Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.120.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-6676-2

– 2 – IEC 60898-3:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 9
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 12
3 Terms and definitions . 12
3.1 Devices . 13
3.2 General terms . 13
3.3 Constructional elements . 15
3.4 Conditions of operation . 18
3.5 Characteristic quantities . 19
3.6 Definitions related to insulation co-ordination . 23
4 Classification . 25
4.1 General . 25
4.2 According to the number of poles . 25
4.3 According to the current direction through the poles. 25
4.4 According to the protection against external influences . 26
4.5 According to the method of mounting . 26
4.6 According to the methods of connection . 26
4.6.1 According to the fixation system . 26
4.6.2 According to the type of terminals . 26
4.7 According to the instantaneous tripping current (see 3.5.18) . 26
5 Characteristics of circuit-breakers. 26
5.1 List of characteristics . 26
5.2 Rated quantities . 27
5.2.1 Rated voltages . 27
5.2.2 Rated direct current (I ) . 27
n
5.2.3 Rated short-circuit capacity (I ) . 27
cn
5.2.4 Rated making and breaking capacity of an individual pole (I ) . 27
cn1
5.3 Standard and preferred values . 28
5.3.1 Preferred values of rated voltage . 28
5.3.2 Preferred values of rated current . 28
5.3.3 Values of rated short-circuit capacity . 28
5.3.4 Standard ranges of instantaneous tripping . 28
5.3.5 Standard value of rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 28
imp
6 Marking and other product information . 29
7 Standard conditions for operation in service . 30
7.1 General . 30
7.2 Ambient air temperature range . 30
7.3 Altitude . 31
7.4 Atmospheric conditions . 31
7.5 Conditions of installation . 31
7.6 Pollution degree . 31
8 Requirements for construction and operation . 31
8.1 Mechanical design . 31
8.1.1 General . 31
8.1.2 Mechanism . 31
8.1.3 Clearances and creepage distances (see Annex A) . 33

8.1.4 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 35
8.1.5 Terminals for external conductors . 36
8.1.6 Non-interchangeability . 38
8.1.7 Mechanical mounting of plug-in type circuit-breakers . 39
8.2 Protection against electric shock . 39
8.3 Dielectric properties and isolating capability . 39
8.3.1 General . 39
8.3.2 Dielectric properties . 40
8.3.3 Isolating capability . 40
8.3.4 Dielectric strength at rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 40
imp
8.4 Temperature rise . 40
8.4.1 Temperature rise limits . 40
8.4.2 Ambient air temperature . 40
8.5 Uninterrupted duty . 41
8.6 Automatic operation . 41
8.6.1 Standard time-current zone . 41
8.6.2 Conventional quantities . 42
8.6.3 Tripping characteristic . 42
8.7 Mechanical and electrical endurance . 42
8.8 Performance at short-circuit currents and at small DC currents . 43
8.9 Resistance to mechanical shock and impact . 43
8.10 Resistance to heat . 43
8.11 Resistance to abnormal heat and to fire . 43
8.12 Resistance to rusting . 43
8.13 Behaviour in case of making inrush current . 43
8.14 Power loss . 43
8.15 Requirement of small DC currents. 44
9 Tests . 44
9.1 Type tests and test sequences . 44
9.2 Test conditions . 45
9.3 Test of indelibility of marking . 46
9.4 Test of reliability of screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 46
9.5 Tests of reliability of screw-type terminals for external copper conductors. 47
9.6 Test of protection against electric shock . 49
9.7 Test of dielectric properties . 49
9.7.1 Resistance to humidity . 49
9.7.2 Insulation resistance of the main circuit . 50
9.7.3 Dielectric strength of the main circuit . 51
9.7.4 Insulation resistance and dielectric strength of auxiliary circuits. 51
9.7.5 Verification of impulse withstand voltages (across clearances and
across solid insulation) and of leakage current across open contacts . 52
9.8 Test of temperature rise and measurement of power loss . 55
9.8.1 Ambient air temperature . 55
9.8.2 Test procedure . 55
9.8.3 Measurement of the temperature of parts . 55
9.8.4 Temperature rise of a part . 55
9.8.5 Measurement of power loss . 55
9.9 28-day test . 56
9.10 Test of tripping characteristic . 56

– 4 – IEC 60898-3:2019 © IEC 2019
9.10.1 General . 56
9.10.2 Test of time-current characteristic . 56
9.10.3 Test of instantaneous tr
...

IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.1 2022-02
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations –
Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

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.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
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
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced have access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
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IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
once a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.1 2022-02
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations –
Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.120.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-4698-6

IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.1 2022-02
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
REDLINE VERSION
colour
inside
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations –
Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

– 2 – IEC 60898-3:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 9
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 12
3 Terms and definitions . 12
3.1 Devices . 13
3.2 General terms . 13
3.3 Constructional elements . 15
3.4 Conditions of operation . 18
3.5 Characteristic quantities . 19
3.6 Definitions related to insulation co-ordination . 23
4 Classification . 25
4.1 General . 25
4.2 According to the number of poles . 25
4.3 According to the current direction through the poles. 25
4.4 According to the protection against external influences . 26
4.5 According to the method of mounting . 26
4.6 According to the methods of connection . 26
4.6.1 According to the fixation system . 26
4.6.2 According to the type of terminals . 26
4.7 According to the instantaneous tripping current (see 3.5.18) . 26
5 Characteristics of circuit-breakers. 26
5.1 List of characteristics . 26
5.2 Rated quantities . 27
5.2.1 Rated voltages . 27
5.2.2 Rated direct current (I ) . 27
n
5.2.3 Rated short-circuit capacity (I ) . 27
cn
5.2.4 Rated making and breaking capacity of an individual pole (I ) . 27
cn1
5.3 Standard and preferred values . 28
5.3.1 Preferred values of rated voltage . 28
5.3.2 Preferred values of rated current . 28
5.3.3 Values of rated short-circuit capacity . 28
5.3.4 Standard ranges of instantaneous tripping . 29
5.3.5 Standard value of rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 29
imp
6 Marking and other product information . 29
7 Standard conditions for operation in service . 31
7.1 General . 31
7.2 Ambient air temperature range . 31
7.3 Altitude . 31
7.4 Atmospheric conditions . 31
7.5 Conditions of installation . 31
7.6 Pollution degree . 31
8 Requirements for construction and operation . 31
8.1 Mechanical design . 31
8.1.1 General . 31
8.1.2 Mechanism . 32

© IEC 2022
8.1.3 Clearances and creepage distances (see Annex A) . 33
8.1.4 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 35
8.1.5 Terminals for external conductors . 36
8.1.6 Non-interchangeability . 38
8.1.7 Mechanical mounting of plug-in type circuit-breakers . 39
8.2 Protection against electric shock . 39
8.3 Dielectric properties and isolating capability . 40
8.3.1 General . 40
8.3.2 Dielectric properties . 40
8.3.3 Isolating capability . 40
8.3.4 Dielectric strength at rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 40
imp
8.4 Temperature rise . 40
8.4.1 Temperature rise limits . 40
8.4.2 Ambient air temperature . 41
8.5 Uninterrupted duty . 41
8.6 Automatic operation . 41
8.6.1 Standard time-current zone . 41
8.6.2 Conventional quantities . 42
8.6.3 Tripping characteristic . 42
8.7 Mechanical and electrical endurance . 43
8.8 Performance at short-circuit currents and at small DC currents . 43
8.9 Resistance to mechanical shock and impact . 43
8.10 Resistance to heat . 43
8.11 Resistance to abnormal heat and to fire . 43
8.12 Resistance to rusting . 43
8.13 Behaviour in case of making inrush current . 43
8.14 Power loss . 44
8.15 Requirement of small DC currents. 44
9 Tests . 44
9.1 Type tests and test sequences . 44
9.2 Test conditions . 45
9.3 Test of indelibility of marking . 46
9.4 Test of reliability of screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 47
9.5 Tests of reliability of screw-type terminals for external copper conductors. 48
9.6 Test of protection against electric shock . 49
9.7 Test of dielectric properties . 50
9.7.1 Resistance to humidity . 50
9.7.2 Insulation resistance of the main circuit . 50
9.7.3 Dielectric strength of the main circuit . 51
9.7.4 Insulation resistance and dielectric strength of auxiliary circuits. 52
9.7.5 Verification of impulse withstand voltages (across clearances and
across solid insulation) and of leakage current across open contacts . 53
9.8 Test of temperature rise and measurement of power loss . 55
9.8.1 Ambient air temperature . 55
9.8.2 Test procedure . 55
9.8.3 Measurement of the temperature of parts . 55
9.8.4 Temperature rise of a part . 56
9.8.5 Measurement of power loss . 56
9.9 28-day test . 56

– 4 – IEC 60898-3:2019+AMD1:2022 CSV
© IEC 2022
9.10 Test of tripping characteristic .
...

IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for
household and similar installations –
Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

Petit appareillage électrique – Disjoncteurs pour la protection contre les
surintensités pour installations domestiques et analogues –
Partie 3: Disjoncteurs pour le fonctionnement en courant continu
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
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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
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
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The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
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.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
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IEC 60898-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electrical accessories – Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for

household and similar installations –

Part 3: Circuit-breakers for DC operation

Petit appareillage électrique – Disjoncteurs pour la protection contre les

surintensités pour installations domestiques et analogues –

Partie 3: Disjoncteurs pour le fonctionnement en courant continu

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.50  ISBN 978-2-8322-7306-7

– 2 – IEC 60898-3:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 9
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 12
3 Terms and definitions . 12
3.1 Devices . 13
3.2 General terms . 13
3.3 Constructional elements . 15
3.4 Conditions of operation . 18
3.5 Characteristic quantities . 19
3.6 Definitions related to insulation co-ordination . 23
4 Classification . 25
4.1 General . 25
4.2 According to the number of poles . 25
4.3 According to the current direction through the poles. 25
4.4 According to the protection against external influences . 26
4.5 According to the method of mounting . 26
4.6 According to the methods of connection . 26
4.6.1 According to the fixation system . 26
4.6.2 According to the type of terminals . 26
4.7 According to the instantaneous tripping current (see 3.5.18) . 26
5 Characteristics of circuit-breakers. 26
5.1 List of characteristics . 26
5.2 Rated quantities . 27
5.2.1 Rated voltages . 27
5.2.2 Rated direct current (I ) . 27
n
5.2.3 Rated short-circuit capacity (I ) . 27
cn
5.2.4 Rated making and breaking capacity of an individual pole (I ) . 27
cn1
5.3 Standard and preferred values . 28
5.3.1 Preferred values of rated voltage . 28
5.3.2 Preferred values of rated current . 28
5.3.3 Values of rated short-circuit capacity . 28
5.3.4 Standard ranges of instantaneous tripping . 28
5.3.5 Standard value of rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 28
imp
6 Marking and other product information . 29
7 Standard conditions for operation in service . 30
7.1 General . 30
7.2 Ambient air temperature range . 30
7.3 Altitude . 31
7.4 Atmospheric conditions . 31
7.5 Conditions of installation . 31
7.6 Pollution degree . 31
8 Requirements for construction and operation . 31
8.1 Mechanical design . 31
8.1.1 General . 31
8.1.2 Mechanism . 31
8.1.3 Clearances and creepage distances (see Annex A) . 33

8.1.4 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 35
8.1.5 Terminals for external conductors . 36
8.1.6 Non-interchangeability . 38
8.1.7 Mechanical mounting of plug-in type circuit-breakers . 39
8.2 Protection against electric shock . 39
8.3 Dielectric properties and isolating capability . 39
8.3.1 General . 39
8.3.2 Dielectric properties . 40
8.3.3 Isolating capability . 40
8.3.4 Dielectric strength at rated impulse withstand voltage (U ) . 40
imp
8.4 Temperature rise . 40
8.4.1 Temperature rise limits . 40
8.4.2 Ambient air temperature . 40
8.5 Uninterrupted duty . 41
8.6 Automatic operation . 41
8.6.1 Standard time-current zone . 41
8.6.2 Conventional quantities . 42
8.6.3 Tripping characteristic . 42
8.7 Mechanical and electrical endurance . 42
8.8 Performance at short-circuit currents and at small DC currents . 43
8.9 Resistance to mechanical shock and impact . 43
8.10 Resistance to heat . 43
8.11 Resistance to abnormal heat and to fire . 43
8.12 Resistance to rusting . 43
8.13 Behaviour in case of making inrush current . 43
8.14 Power loss . 43
8.15 Requir
...