What is BS EN IEC 61439‑1 about?
BS EN IEC 61439‑1 is the first in an eight-part series of standards on low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies. It specifies the general definitions and service conditions, construction requirements, technical characteristics and verification requirements for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies.
BS EN IEC 61439‑1 on low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies applies to:
- Assemblies for which the rated voltage does not exceed 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC
- Assemblies designed for a nominal frequency of the incoming supply or supplies not exceeding 1000 Hz
- Stationary or movable assemblies with or without an enclosure
NOTE-
BS EN IEC 61439‑1 on low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies does not apply to individual devices and self-contained components such as motor starters, fuse switches, power electronic converter systems and equipment (PECS), switch mode power supplies (SMPS), uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), basic drive modules (BDM), complete drive modules (CDM), adjustable speed power drives systems (PDS), and other electronic equipment.
Who is BS EN IEC 61439‑1 for?
BS EN IEC 61439‑1 on low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies is for:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of assemblies intended for use in connection with generation, transmission, distribution and conversion of electric energy
- Manufacturers and suppliers of assemblies intended for the control of electrical energy-consuming equipment
- Manufacturers and suppliers of assemblies intended for indoor / outdoor applications
Why should you use BS EN IEC 61439‑1?
The purpose of BS EN IEC 61439‑1 is to harmonize all practicable rules and general requirements, applicable to low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies, in order to obtain uniformity of requirements and verification for assemblies.
All those requirements for the various assembly standards that are considered as general, have been gathered in BS EN IEC 61439‑1 together with specific subjects of wide interest and application, e.g., temperature-rise, dielectric properties, etc, thus eliminating the need for verification in any other standards.
BS EN IEC 61439‑1 has all that’s necessary for you to determine all requirements and the corresponding methods of verification as it covers the various types of low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN IEC 61439‑1:2021 supersedes BS EN 61439‑1:2011, which will be withdrawn on 21 May 2024. BS EN IEC 61439‑1:2021 includes the following technical changes:
- Clarification that electric power converter systems, switch-mode power supplies, uninterruptable power supplies, and adjustable speed power drive systems are tested to their particular product’s standard, and incorporated in assemblies with the incorporation is in accordance with the IEC 61439 series of standards
- Introduction of a group rated current for circuits within a loaded assembly and the refocusing of temperature-rise verification on this new characteristic
- Addition of requirements in respect of DC
- Introduction of the concept of class I and class II assemblies regarding protection against electric shock