What is this standard about?
This is the second amendment to the first part of a multi-part European standard detailing general rules on low-voltage switchgear and controlgear.
Who is this standard for?
- Engineers
- Manufacturers
- Test and certification bodies dealing with low-voltage switchgear and controlgear
Why should you use this standard?
Its purpose is to harmonize, as far as practicable, all the general rules and requirements that apply to low voltage switchgear and controlgear rated up to 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c. The aim is to obtain uniformity of requirements and tests throughout the corresponding range of equipment and to avoid the need for testing to different standards.
What’s changed since the last update?
The standard has been thoroughly updated to broaden its scope, add new terms and definitions and bring references up to date. Along with many clarifications – for example covering requirements for conducting temperature rise tests – there are three entirely new annexes:
- Annex K describes how to determine reliability for devices used in functional safety applications
- Annex W gives a procedure to establish material declaration
- Annex V deals with energy efficiency
Meanwhile Annex A has been augmented with a view to harmonizing utilization categories across all IEC 60947 products in future.
All these revisions were made by experts in electrical engineering and power supply working with the International Electrotechnical Commission and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization.
