This part of IEC 60947 specifies requirements for terminal blocks and test disconnect terminal blocks according to Annex D with screw-type or screw-less-type clamping units primarily intended for industrial or similar use and to be fixed to a support to provide electrical and mechanical connection between copper conductors. It applies to terminal blocks intended to connect round copper conductors, with or without special preparation, having a cross-section between 0,05 mm2/30 AWG and 300 mm2/600 kcmil, intended to be used in circuits of a rated voltage not exceeding 1 000 V AC up to 1 000 Hz or 1 500 V DC. The tests on terminal blocks are made with AC or DC supply as required in relevant clauses of this document.
NOTE 1 This document is not intended for connecting devices for household purposes according to IEC 60998‑1.
NOTE 2 AWG is the abbreviation of "American Wire Gage" (Gage (US) = Gauge (UK));
kcmil = 1 000 cmil;
1 cmil = 1 circular mil = surface area of a circle having a diameter of 1 mil;
1 mil = 1/1 000 inch.
NOTE 3 This document can be used as a guide in conjunction with an additional product risk assessment for:
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terminal blocks requiring the fixing of special devices to the conductors, for example quick connect terminations or wrapped connection, etc.;
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terminal blocks providing wire-binding screw (see IEC 60947‑1:2020, Figure D.2), stud and nut terminations (see IEC 60947‑1:2020, Figures D.4 and D.5), lug terminations (see IEC 60947‑1:2020, Figure D.6) and terminal blocks providing direct contact to the conductors by means of edges or points penetrating the insulation, for example insulation displacement connection (IDC) (see IEC 60352‑4:2020, Figure 2), etc.;
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special types of terminal blocks, for example with diodes or varistors or similar component holders, etc.;
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terminal blocks with capability to connect conductors with cross sections larger than 300 mm2/600 kcmil, see Annex E.
Where applicable in this document, the term "clamping unit" has been used instead of the term "terminal". This is taken into account in case of reference to IEC 60947‑1:2020.
