The document discusses the IEC 61439 standards for low voltage switchgear assemblies. It provides an overview of the key changes from IEC 60439, including clearer definitions of manufacturer roles and responsibilities, elimination of the TTA and PTTA concepts, and more clarified and reinforced technical requirements. The standards are aimed at improving safety by ensuring switchgear assemblies are properly designed, tested and verified according to standard requirements. Schneider Electric explains how their low voltage offer meets the requirements of IEC 61439, including through design verification testing, use of high performance materials, and options that enable maintenance and modification while maintaining safety.

1. Safety and power availability of LV
Assemblies
Buildings and large sites

2. Schneider Electric 2
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
●In all buildings, the electrical
installation is one of the most
sensitive element in term of
risks for people and goods
●Fires
●Electrocutions
●Blasts, …
Guarantee to our customers
safe switchboards Why ?

3. Schneider Electric 3
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
●Some examples across the world
●France
Electrical origin fire in a tools manufacturer
losses = $ 1,2 M
1 fire on 5 electrical origin
55,000 lost working days
USA
$ 10 B of losses in industry – commerce
per year
Germany
Dusseldorf airport fire 3 days of
complete closing – full recovery of
exploitation after 2 months
China
45 000 fires of electrical origin in 2008
Guarantee to our customers
Power availability Why ?

4. Schneider Electric 4
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
You need to provide him…
To ensure your customer peace of mind
Safety Power
availability
and

5. Schneider Electric 5
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
…Through
Go Go
Schneider
Electric expertise
Compliance with
IEC61439
standard

6. Schneider Electric 6
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Compliance with IEC61439 Standard
Schneider
Electric expertise
Power
availability
Schneider
Electric LV
offer
Safety
Standards

7. Schneider Electric 7
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Switchgear
controlgear:
IEC 60947-x
IEC Standards:
international references
Busbar
trunking:
IEC 60439-2
IEC61439 Standard
Switchboard:
Old: IEC 60439-1
New: IEC 61439-
12
LV electrical
Installations:
IEC 60364
local
standards

8. Schneider Electric 8
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Why an ASSEMBLY standard IEC61439?
Regarding ASSEMBLIES,
safety of persons and property, and availability of electrical power depends on:
● Designing the overall “system” according to the relevant standards
●Controlling various interactions
●Protecting persons against any hazards
due to the ASSEMBLIES themselves
●Providing operating, maintenance
and modification capabilities
IEC61439-12 Standard

9. Schneider Electric 9
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Evolutions of the ASSEMBLY Standard
From IEC 60439-1 to IEC 61439-12

10. Schneider Electric 10
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
The International ASSEMBLY standards
From IEC 60439-1 to IEC 61439-12
● Compared to the old IEC 60439-X, the new IEC 61439-X standards aim at:
● Better covering all ASSEMBLIES, especially the ASSEMBLIES based on ASSEMBLY Systems
● Improving safety by clarifying or increasing many requirements
● IEC 61439-2 is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61439-1, instead of IEC 60439-1 alone
● Tests identical to those in IEC 60439-1 do not need to be repeated
● Transitional periods may apply when implemented as regional, e.g. European (*), or national standards
IEC61439 Standard
Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies
TTA and PTTA (Also used as a general rules standard) 60439-1
Busbar
Trunkings
Systems
61439-6
Distribution
Boards for
Ordinary pers.
61439-3
ASS. for
construction
sites
61439-4
ASSEMBLIES
for public
networks
61439-5
NEW IEC 61439-X
LV switchgear
controlgear
Assemblies
(ASSEMBLIES)
OLD IEC 60439-X
LV switchgear
controlgear
Assemblies
(ASSEMBLIES)
General rules
61439-1 (2009)
Power switchgear
and controlgear
assemblies
61439-2 (2009)
Busbar
Trunkings
Systems
60439-2
Distribution
Boards for
unskilled pers.
60439-3
ASS. for
construction
sites
60439-4
ASSEMBLIES
for public
networks
60439-5

11. Schneider Electric 11
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Time schedule in the European Union
(in other countries, the transition period depends on national rules)
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
2009 -11 2014-11
EN 60439-1 5 years
2009 -11 2014-11
PSC-ASSEMBLY
EN 60439-1 5 years
EN 61439-2 / 61439-1 (Ed1)
?
BTS
EN 60439-2 / 60439-1
EN 61439-6 (Ed1) / EN 61439-1 (Ed1)
3 years?
?
Distribution boards
EN 60439-3 / 60439-1
EN 61439-3 (Ed1) / EN 61439-1 (Ed1)
3 years?
IEC61439 Standard

12. Schneider Electric 12
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Why a new standard ?
● 80% of the ASSEMBLIES worldwide do not comply with the
standard
● Requirements not always clear
● Role of Switchboard System manufacturer and Panel Builder not clear enough
●A Partially Type Tested ASSEMBLY (PTTA) concept abused and
misused
IEC61439-12 Standard

13. Schneider Electric 13
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Main Changes
● Recognition of Original Manufacturer (Switchboard
System manufacturer) and ASSEMBLY Manufacturer
(Panel Builder)
● PTTA/TTA concepts replaced with (tested) ASSEMBLY
● Many clarified reinforced requirements
IEC61439-12 Standard

14. Schneider Electric 14
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
IEC61439-12 Standard
Clear definitions of roles
●ASSEMBLY Manufacturer (Panel Builder)
● Takes the responsibility for the final Assembly
● Carries out routine verifications
●Original Manufacturer (System
manufacturer)
● Carries out the original design
● Carries out the design verifications that can be
certified through a certification body (ASEFA,
ASTA, KEMA,…)
●ASSEMBLY System
● Full range of mechanical electrical components
(functional units, switching devices, enclosures…)
designed by the Original Manufacturer to be
assembled according to his instructions
●Specifier (design office, End user,…)
● Specifies or selects the ASSEMBLY
Original
Manufacturer
Assembly
Manufacturer
(Panel Builder)
Specifier
Project Specification
Tested assembly
User
Certification
body
Assembly
system

15. Schneider Electric 15
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Elimination of TTA and PTTA concepts
Type Tested Assemblies
Partially Type Tested Assemblies
Tested
ASSEMBLIES
●Design verifications
● Mainly type-tests
● Or possibility for only some of the
verifications under clear and strict
conditions to do
● Comparison with a tested reference
design (Design Rules)
● Calculations including safety margins
●Routine verifications
● Same as TTA in 10 items instead of 3
●TTA:
●7 type tests on the design
● 3 routine tests on the
realization of each panel
●PTTA
● Calculations not clearly
defined to justify not to do
some type-tests
● 3 same routine tests
IEC61439-12 Standard

16. Schneider Electric 16
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Elimination of TTA and PTTA concepts
YES
NO
NO
Internal electrical circuits and connections
NO
NO
YES
Dielectric properties
YES
YES
YES
Temperature rise
YES
YES
YES
Short-circuit withstand strength
YES
NO
YES
Electromagnetic compatibility
NO
NO
YES
Mechanical operation
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
By calculation By design rules
By testing
Characteristic to be verified
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
Verification options available
YES
Incorporation of switching devices and
components
YES
Clearances and creepage distances
YES
Terminals for external conductors
NO
Protection against electric shock Integrity of
protective circuits
YES
Degree of protection of enclosures
NO
Strength of materials and parts

17. Schneider Electric 17
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Clarified reinforced requirements:
Strength of materials and parts
●Following tests are compulsory:
This looks at the suitability of plastic and metal parts to prove the
long term capabilities of the equipment.
●Resistance to corrosion
●Properties of insulating materials
●Thermal stability
●Resistance of insulating materials to normal heat
●Resistance to abnormal heat and fire due to internal electric effects
●Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation
●Lifting
●Mechanical impact (IK)
●Marking

18. Schneider Electric 18
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Clarified reinforced requirements:
Current carrying
●All the tests (also short circuit) have to be made with the devices
inside the assembly
●No more possibility to make a temperature rise with a heating resistance
●No device substitution
●The tests have to be made for each circuit alone and the
complete assembly (including diversity factor)
●The verification by calculation is limited
●maximum 1600A and all components de-rated to 80%

19. Schneider Electric 19
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Details of the IEC 61439-12 Standard

20. Schneider Electric 20
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Type of requirements of the IEC61439-12
● Rated characteristics definitions and other information to be stated by the
ASSEMBLY Manufacturer to ensure compatibility with the User’s needs and constraints
● Design
● Like creapage distance, IP definitions, etc…
● Design verification
● Basically by inspecting the “constructional” requirements and by testing precisely
defined representative samples
● Routine verification i.e. verification of each manufactured ASSEMBLY
● To confirm that the proofs of design verification are available and detect faults in
materials and workmanship
IEC61439-12 Standard

21. Schneider Electric 21
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Breakdown of IEC61439-12 into 10 user’s
Functions
●Capability to operate the electrical installation
●Voltage stresses withstand capability
●Current carrying capability
●Short-circuit withstand capability
●Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
●Protection against electric shock
●Maintenance and modifying capabilities
●Ability to be installed on site
●Protection against risk of fire
●Protection against environmental conditions
IEC61439-12 Standard

22. Schneider Electric 22
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Capability to operate the electrical installation
● Properly function, according to:
● The electrical diagram and the
specifications by selecting, installing and
wiring the appropriate switching devices.
● The specified operating facilities through
accessibility and identification.
● Design Verification
● By inspection
● Impulse withstand voltage test of isolating
distance for optional withdrawable units
● Routine verification
● Visual inspection
● Effectiveness of mechanical actuating
elements and function test
● Low Voltage complete Systems
● Functional units: Inst. Plate /
Device / Front plate
● Full and transparent doors /
shutting
● Human / switchboard interface
IEC61439-12 Standard

23. Schneider Electric 23
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Voltage stresses withstand capability
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
● Insulation
● to withstand long-term voltages, transient
and temporary overvoltages
● guaranteed through clearances, creepage
distances and solid insulation
● Design Verification
● Measurement of clearances and creepage
distances
● Power frequency dielectric test
● Impulse withstand voltage test, when
clearances are greater than specified
values
● Routine verification
● Visual inspection of clearances
● Power frequency dielectric test
●High performance materials
Polyfast interface
Busbar supports
IEC61439-12 Standard

24. Schneider Electric 24
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Busbars
Distribution blocks
Prefabricated
connections
Current carrying capability
● Protect against burns by limiting
excessive temperatures:
● when any single circuit is continuously
loaded to its rated current
● and when any circuit is continuously
loaded to its rated current multiplied by its
rated diversity factor.
● Design Verification
● Temperature rise tests
● Or comparison with a tested reference
design, under restrictive conditions
● Or, under very restrictive conditions,
calculations with safety margins
● Routine verification
● Visual inspection
● Random verification of tightness
● A complete range of main and distribution
busbars (linergy)
● Prefabricated connections
and distribution blocks
● Thermal rules and data
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Thermal rules in catalogue
IEC61439-12 Standard

25. Schneider Electric 25
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Short circuit withstand capability
● Withstand short-circuit thanks to
● short-circuit protective devices, short-
circuit coordination
● and capability to withstand the stresses
resulting from short-circuit currents in all
conductors
● Design Verification
● Short-circuit tests of the main circuit,
including the neutral conductor, and of the
protective circuit
● Or comparison with a tested reference
design under restrictive conditions
● Routine verification
● Visual inspection
Tcc
Assumed transient peak Isc
Assumed steady peak Isc
Limited peak Isc
Â
Isc
t
50 kA successful short-circuit
withstand test on vertical busbars
● Current limiting Circuit Breakers
● Coordination between Circuit-Breakers
and busbars
● Busbar support
IEC61439-12 Standard

26. Schneider Electric 26
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
● Properly function and avoid generation of
EMC disturbances
● through incorporation of electronic devices
complying with the relevant EMC standard
● and their correct installation
● Design Verification
● EMC tests according to product standards
or generic EMC standards
● Routine verification
● None
Electromagnetic compatibility
● Schneider Electric implementation rules
● Low electromagnetic fields radiating
busbar trunking.
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
IEC61439-12 Standard

27. Schneider Electric 27
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
● IPxxB and formxB (no direct access to
hazardous live parts)
● Doors with locks
● Front plates with cut-out
to operate the devices
● Use of high performance materials.
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Protection against electric shock
● Clear specification of
● Basic insulation: hazardous live parts accessibility
● Fault protection: accessible conductive parts not
hazardous, continuity of protective equipotential
bonding
● Design Verification
● IPXXB test verif. of insulating material
● Mechanical operation tests
● Verification of dielectric properties
● Measurement of resistance between conductive
parts and PE terminal
● Short-circuit strength of protective circuit
● Routine Verification
● Visual inspection
● Random verification of tightness of the protective
circuit connections
Busbar supports
IEC61439-12 Standard

28. Schneider Electric 28
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Maintenance and modifying capabilities
● Clear specification of capability or not to
preserve continuity of supply
● without impairing safety
● during maintenance or modification
through basic and fault protection and
optional removable parts
● Design Verification
● IP tests
● Mechanical operation tests (especially for
removable parts)
● Design Verification
● Effectiveness of mechanical actuating
elements
● Check protection of persons against
electric shocks
● Removable or hinged front faces and plates
● IP2x and IPxxB compartments
● Insulated devices, distribution blocks and
conductors
● Fixed, disconnectable and withdrawable
Functional Units
● Insertion of FUs in any available space
IEC61439-12 Standard

29. Schneider Electric 29
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Capability to be installed on site
● Withstand handling, transport, storage
and installation constraints
● Be capable to be erected and connected
● Design Verification
● By inspection
● Lifting test, taken from IEC 62208
● Routine Verification
● Number, type and identification of
terminals for external conductors
● Cable compartments
● Terminals for external conductors
● Busbar trunking feed units for switchboards
● Fishplates on main busbars
● Packing, transport and handling
recommendations
Handling and transportation
recommendations
Feed unit
Fish plates Cable compartment
Terminals
IEC61439-12 Standard

30. Schneider Electric 30
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Protection against risk of fire or explosion
● Protect persons against the fire hazard:
● resistance to internal glowing faulty
elements through selection of materials
and various design
● Design Verification
● Glow wire test
● Special test according to IEC TR 61641,
where specified
● Routine Verification
● None
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Successful internal arc containment
● Busbar supports compliant to glow-wire test
● Internal arc prevention and containment (no
IEC61439 requirement) for Blokset and
Okken
IEC61439-12 Standard

31. Schneider Electric 31
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Protection against environmental conditions
● Protect the Assembly against mechanical
and atmospheric conditions
● through selection of materials and various
design provisions
● Design Verification
● IP test
● IK test
● Corrosion test
● UV test (outdoor only)
● Routine Verification
● None
Switchboard
IK10 door test
Schneider Electric offer
IEC 61439-12 requirements
Okken
switchboard
seismic test
● IP30 to IP55 switchboards
● Anti-corrosive treatment of enclosures
● IK07/8/10 switchboards
● Seismic risk and Marine compliant Okken
switchboards (no 61439 requirements)
IEC61439-12 Standard

32. Schneider Electric 32
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Using the IEC 61439-12 Standard
●As a Specifier (final User, or User’s rep.)
● Specify ASSEMBLIES compliant to IEC
61439-2
● Ask for complete certifications from a
recognized certification body
● One single test certificate is not enough
● Select an ASSEMBLY Manufacturer able to:
● Comply with IEC 61439-12
● Help you to specify your needs
● Deliver routine verification reports
IEC61439-12 Standard

33. Schneider Electric 33
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Using the IEC 61439-12 Standard
●AS an ASSEMBLY Manufacturer (Panel
Builder)
● Help your customer to specify his needs
● Select truly certified ASSEMBLY systems
● Ask your supplier to train you with
●Design software
●Assembly and installation guides
●Mounting leaflets
●Quality inspection guide
●Maintenance and end user guides
● Design, manufacture and verify
each ASSEMBLY in compliance with:
●The project specification
●The ASSEMBLY manufacturer’s
instructions
IEC61439-12 Standard

34. Schneider Electric 34
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Using the IEC 61439-12 Standard
●Routine verifications to be provided by the
ASSEMBLY Manufacturer (Panel Builder)
for EACH Assembly
● degree of protection of enclosures;
● clearances and creepage distances;
● protection against electric shock and integrity of
protective circuits;
● incorporation of built-in components;
● internal electrical circuits and connections;
● terminals for external conductors;
● mechanical operation.
● dielectric properties;
● wiring, operational performance and function
IEC61439-12 Standard

35. Schneider Electric 35
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Specifying an ASSEMBLY
●ASSEMBLIES and the Standard IEC61439 are complex
●End Users and Specifiers as well as ASSEMBLY Manufacturer need to
have clear specifications of the Assemblies
●Tools to specify according to IEC61439
●Annex BB of IEC 61439-2
● summarise the information that should be included in an assembly
specification
●Schneider Electric Specifiers guide
● Covers the Annex BB of the standard
● Helps additionally Specifiers and Panel Builders to have a clear
common understanding of the specified values

36. Schneider Electric 36
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric worldwide expertise
for safety and higher power availability
Compliance with
Standards
Power
availability
Schneider
Electric LV
offer
Safety
Standards
Expertise

37. Schneider Electric 37
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric LV Assembly expertise
throughout the Assembly life cycle
Anticipation and pre-design:
Customer support
Technical
support
● Anticipation and pre-design
● To measure the influence of the important
technical parameters
● Precisely define materials characteristics
● Technical support
● To capitalize on experience
to enlarge the product range.
● To determine the technical data
of our products
● Customer support
● To achieve a specific customer
requirement based on our existing products
● To Support a specific design
for a dedicated customer business.
Expertise
Installation
Manufacturing
End of life
Design
Operation
Definition

38. Schneider Electric 38
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric LV Assembly expertise:
method and tools
●Method:
simulations based on tested configuration
●Tools:
● Many years of experience
● In-depth knowledge of the behavior
of components
● Design calculation software
● Finite elements software
● Schneider Electric Power
Laboratories
● Schneider Electric Development
centres
Expertise
Extrapolation by simulation
for other configurations
Extrapolation
by simulation
for other
requirements
Extrapolation
by simulation
for other
boundaries
Tested and modeled
Configuration

39. Schneider Electric 39
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Expertise
Schneider Electric LV Assembly expertise:
an answer to customer requests
●Expertise fields:
● Mechanical
● Electrodynamics
● Thermal
● Internal arc
● Electromagnetic
compatibility
● Seismic
● Insulation

40. Schneider Electric 40
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Expertise
Schneider Electric device expertise:
●1,500 RD team members in 5 countries
Mechatronics
Software
Breaking-switching
Industrialisation
Materials
Connectics
Mechanisms
Measurement
Skill

41. Schneider Electric 41
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Expertise
Example of Schneider Electric expertise:
Thermal Software Softher
● The aim of this tool:
● To meet standard requirements or specific
end-user demands, in ensuring safe and
reliable configurations
● Functions:
● To calculate heating and check busbar sizing
of Schneider Electric switchboards and busbar
trunking tap-off units
● To offer cooling solutions when
the calculated temperature is too high
● To generate a report according
to calculation results.

42. Schneider Electric 42
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
The Schneider Electric LV System for safety
and more power availability
● The Schneider Electric LV system is a complete
system
● Each element is designed to operate
with the others
● Total coordination
● Lifetime operation and performance
● Solutions are tested in the worst conditions
● High performance materials
● Customer needs can change and evolve
● Evolution is ensured from the design stage
● Schneider experts can test
and validate solutions.
Expertise

43. Schneider Electric 43
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
The Schneider Electric LV System for safety
and more power availability
● Schneider Electric has dozens of years of experience which is invested in all
of our products
● Over €500 million devoted to research and development
● 6500 RD specialists across 25 countries
●Experience in the most demanding fields
● Including oil gas, marine, hospitals, chemical and nuclear etc.
Expertise

44. Schneider Electric 44
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Operation:
-Customer guide
-Maintenance and
diagnostic guides
Recycling:
-Product environmental
profile
-type test files
-specification forms
-Pre-design software
-catalogues
-technical
publications
Training
Design, orders:
-Catalogue
Software:
-Thermal Software
-Design software
Technical information:
-AutoCad library
-Bar drawings library
-Electrical installation guide
-Technical booklets
-Coordination tables
On-Line support:
-Customer care center
Training
Advice, orders:
-Catalogue
-BOM Software
On-Line support:
-Customer care center
Training
Guides:
-Switchboard assembly
guide
-Installation manuals and
user guides for circuit-
breakers
-Mounting leaflets
-Catalogue
Quality:
-Quality inspection guide
Training
Guides:
-Switchboard
assembly
installation guide
-Mounting leaflets
Quality:
-Quality inspection
guide Training
Schneider Electric
partnership
support
Specifications
and tendering
Orders
Design and
implementation
Assembly
Commissioning
Operation and
recycling
Expertise

45. Schneider Electric 45
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Schneider Electric has the right services to
support customers anywhere in the world
1600 sales outlets
1700 dedicated people in 68 national call centres
50 customer training centres
Expertise

46. Schneider Electric 46
- LoB LV – Nov 2010
Working with Schneider Electric is your insurance
for safety and more power availability
●LV Assembliescompliant to IEC61439 12 standard
●Expertise to support our system and our
customers
● We are worldwide
● A complete LV System Schneider
Electric LV
offer
Power
availability
Safety
Standards
Expertise
Standards