Electricity + Control July 2019

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

Understanding the terminology in IEC 61439 Johan Basson, Managing Director, JB Switchgear Solutions The IEC 61439 series of standards is applicable to low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. In this short series of tutorials, Johan Basson looks at some of the terminologies and explains them so the reader may gain better understanding of their meaning. Extracts from the standard itself are used extensively. This fourth tutorial focuses on the topic of information that needs to be supplied with electrical switchgear and controlgear assemblies.

1. T h e i mp o r t a n c e o f providing relevant infor- mation with electrical switchgear and controlgear assemblies should not be underestimated. Take Note! 1

T he first three tutorials, published in preceding issues of Electricity + Control , covered:

gear assemblies, this should not be underestimat- ed. It serves as a declaration from the manufac- turer and provides the end user with material to understand exactly what is being supplied. There are three main categories of information: - Assembly designation marking - Documentation - Device and/or component identification. 1. Assembly designation marking The assembly manufacturer shall provide each assembly with one or more labels, marked in a durable manner and located in a place such that they are visible and legible when the assembly is installed and in operation. Compliance is checked according to the relevant tests and by inspection. The following information regarding the assembly shall be provided on the designation label(s): a) Assembly manufacturer’s name and trademark b) Type designation or identification number or any other means of identification, making it possible to obtain relevant information from the assembly manufacturer c) Means of identifying date of manufacture d) IEC 61439-X (the specific part ‘X’ shall be identified). Note: The relevant assembly standard may specify where additional information is to be provided on the designation label.

- Service conditions - Forms of separation - Rated diversity factor.

Turning to the importance of providing relevant information with electrical switchgear and control-

Typical motor control cabinet front showing the rating plate on the incomer door.

32 Electricity + Control

JULY 2019