The new IEC 61439 – 1, and how it works when using Elsteel panels. (VIEW REFERENCES)
First of all Elsteel will design and verify/test a panel board with various components from specific manufactures.
Second of all, when you design a panel you must be able to show (document) that the components you have used in your design are similar -has a reference to the components we have tested. If you use a component that does not have a reference you can still document it by assessment.
Elsteel has during the last many years made a lot of design verifications. This means we have tested a lot of different breaker brands and breaker sizes in our enclosures. These you can use as reference.
Practically
Let’s say you get an enquiry to deliver a panel that complies with IEC 61439. First you draw the panel the way your costumer wants it (no change there). Then you check the Elsteel reference table and find the reference to each and every breaker that you have used in your design. If the electrical component is in the reference list then your design complies with the reference design and thereby IEC 61439.
Assessment
If an electrical component is not in the list you can use the “assessment” rule in order to comply with the standard. When using this assessment (non tested component) you MUST improve the design in the following way:
- Maximum 1600 Amp assemblies.
- Breaker brand must be that of a referenced brand and series with the same or better limitations / characteristics. See the reference list!
- Single compartment max 630A
- Multiple compartment 1600A – Max 4 compartments vertical.
- Horizontal partitions (if any) must have 50% air ventilation.
- 20% de-rating of electrical components.
- All conductors shall have a minimum cross sectional area based on 125% of permitted current.
For full details check the standard!
This of course will make the panel more expensive and you might become uncompetitive, hence it is important that you can design panels with reference components! It is possible to design and build a panel that has a mix of reference components and assessment components.
The reference list will constantly be expanded as we test in house and external!
Remember that it is the standard you must follow – Elsteel is not responsible for the interpretation and this is just a help to clarify how to build IEC 61439 panels with Elsteel.
Visit ELSTEEL Modular Enclosures for more information
