AS/NZS 3947.1:2001

1 - AS/NZS 3947.1:2001 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR - GENERAL RULES
4 - PREFACE
6 - CONTENTS
11 - 1 General
11 - 1.1 Scope and object
12 - 1.2 Normative references
16 - 2 Definitions
20 - 2.1 General terms
20 - 2.1.1 switchgear and controlgear
20 - 2.1.2 switchgear
20 - 2.1.3 controlgear
20 - 2.1.4 over-current
20 - 2.1.5 short circuit
21 - 2.1.6 short-circuit current
21 - 2.1.7 overload
21 - 2.1.8 overload current
21 - 2.1.9 ambient air temperature
21 - 2.1.10 conductive part
21 - 2.1.11 exposed conductive part
21 - 2.1.12 extraneous conductive part
21 - 2.1.13 live part
21 - 2.1.14 protective conductor (symbol PE)
22 - 2.1.15 neutral conductor (symbol N)
22 - 2.1.16 enclosure
22 - 2.1.17 integral enclosure
22 - 2.1.18 utilization category
22 - 2.1.19 isolation (isolating function)
22 - 2.1.20 electric shock
22 - 2.2 Switching devices
22 - 2.2.1 switching device
22 - 2.2.2 mechanical switching device
22 - 2.2.3 semiconductor switching device
23 - 2.2.4 fuse
23 - 2.2.5 fuse-link
23 - 2.2.6 fuse-element
23 - 2.2.7 fuse-combination unit
23 - 2.2.8 disconnector
23 - 2.2.9 switch
23 - 2.2.10 switch-disconnector
23 - 2.2.11 circuit-breaker
23 - 2.2.12 contactor
24 - 2.2.13 semiconductor contactor
24 - 2.2.14 contactor relay
24 - 2.2.15 starter
24 - 2.2.16 control circuit device
24 - 2.2.17 control switch
24 - 2.2.18 pilot switch
24 - 2.2.19 push-button
24 - 2.2.20 terminal block
24 - 2.2.21 short-circuit protective device (SCPD)
24 - 2.2.22 surge arrester
25 - 2.3 Parts of switching devices
25 - 2.3.1 pole of a switching device
25 - 2.3.2 main circuit
25 - 2.3.3 control circuit
25 - 2.3.4 auxiliary circuit
25 - 2.3.5 contact
25 - 2.3.6 contact piece
25 - 2.3.7 main contact
25 - 2.3.8 arcing contact
25 - 2.3.9 control contact
26 - 2.3.10 auxiliary contact
26 - 2.3.11 auxiliary switch
26 - 2.3.12 "a" contact - make contact
26 - 2.3.13 "b" contact - break contact
26 - 2.3.14 relay
26 - 2.3.15 release
26 - 2.3.16 actuating system
26 - 2.3.17 actuator
26 - 2.3.18 position indicating device
26 - 2.3.19 indicator light
26 - 2.3.20 anti-pumping device
27 - 2.3.21 interlocking device
27 - 2.3.22 terminal
27 - 2.3.23 screw-type terminal
27 - 2.3.24 screwless-type terminal
27 - 2.3.25 clamping unit
27 - 2.3.26 unprepared conductor
27 - 2.3.27 prepared conductor
27 - 2.4 Operation of switching devices
27 - 2.4.1 operation
27 - 2.4.2 operating cycle
28 - 2.4.3 operating sequence
28 - 2.4.4 manual control
28 - 2.4.5 automatic control
28 - 2.4.6 local control
28 - 2.4.7 remote control
28 - 2.4.8 closing operation
28 - 2.4.9 opening operation
28 - 2.4.10 positive opening operation
28 - 2.4.11 positively driven operation
28 - 2.4.12 dependent manual operation
28 - 2.4.13 dependent power operation
29 - 2.4.14 stored energy operation
29 - 2.4.15 independent manual operation
29 - 2.4.16 independent power operation
29 - 2.4.17 actuating force (moment)
29 - 2.4.18 restoring force (moment)
29 - 2.4.19 travel
29 - 2.4.20 closed position
29 - 2.4.21 open position
29 - 2.4.22 tripping
30 - 2.4.23 trip-free mechanical switching device
30 - 2.4.24 instantaneous relay or release
30 - 2.4.25 over-current relay or release
30 - 2.4.26 definite time-delay over-current relay or release
30 - 2.4.27 inverse time-delay over-current relay or release
30 - 2.4.28 direct over-current relay or release
30 - 2.4.29 indirect over-current relay or release
30 - 2.4.30 overload relay or release
30 - 2.4.31 thermal overload relay or release
30 - 2.4.32 magnetic overload relay or release
31 - 2.4.33 shunt release
31 - 2.4.34 under-voltage relay or release
31 - 2.4.35 reverse current relay or release
31 - 2.4.36 operating current
31 - 2.4.37 current-setting
31 - 2.4.38 current setting range
31 - 2.5 Characteristic quantities
31 - 2.5.1 nominal value
31 - 2.5.2 limiting value
31 - 2.5.3 rated value
31 - 2.5.4 rating
32 - 2.5.5 prospective current
32 - 2.5.6 prospective peak current
32 - 2.5.7 prospective symmetrical current
32 - 2.5.8 maximum prospective peak current
32 - 2.5.9 prospective making current
32 - 2.5.10 prospective breaking current
32 - 2.5.11 breaking current
32 - 2.5.12 breaking capacity
33 - 2.5.13 making capacity
33 - 2.5.14 short-circuit breaking capacity
33 - 2.5.15 short-circuit making capacity
33 - 2.5.16 critical load current
33 - 2.5.17 critical short-circuit current
33 - 2.5.18 Joule integral
33 - 2.5.19 cut-off current - let-through current
33 - 2.5.20 time-current characteristic
33 - 2.5.21 cut-off (current) characteristic - let-through (current) characteristic
34 - 2.5.22 over-current protective co- ordination of over-current protective devices
34 - 2.5.23 over-current discrimination
34 - 2.5.24 back-up protection
34 - 2.5.25 take-over current
34 - 2.5.26 short-time delay
34 - 2.5.27 short-time withstand current
34 - 2.5.28 peak withstand current
34 - 2.5.29 conditional short-circuit current
34 - 2.5.30 conventional non-tripping current
35 - 2.5.31 conventional tripping current
35 - 2.5.32 applied voltage
35 - 2.5.33 recovery voltage
35 - 2.5.34 transient recovery voltage
35 - 2.5.35 power-frequency recovery voltage
35 - 2.5.36 d.c. steady-state recovery voltage
35 - 2.5.37 prospective transient recovery voltage
35 - 2.5.38 peak arc voltage
35 - 2.5.39 opening time
36 - 2.5.40 arcing time (of a pole or a fuse)
36 - 2.5.41 arcing time (of a multipole switching device)
36 - 2.5.42 break time
36 - 2.5.43 make time
36 - 2.5.44 closing time
36 - 2.5.45 make-break time
36 - 2.5.46 clearance
36 - 2.5.47 clearance between poles
36 - 2.5.48 clearance to earth
36 - 2.5.49 clearance between open contacts (gap)
36 - 2.5.50 isolating distance
37 - 2.5.51 creepage distance
37 - 2.5.52 working voltage
37 - 2.5.53 temporary overvoltage
37 - 2.5.54 transient overvoltages
37 - 2.5.55 impulse withstand voltage
37 - 2.5.56 power-frequency withstand voltage
37 - 2.5.57 pollution
38 - 2.5.58 pollution degree
38 - 2.5.59 micro-environment
38 - 2.5.60 overvoltage category
38 - 2.5.61 co-ordination of insulation
38 - 2.5.62 homogeneous (uniform) field
38 - 2.5.63 inhomogeneous (non-uniform) field
38 - 2.5.64 tracking
38 - 2.5.65 comparative tracking index (CTI)
39 - 2.6 Tests
39 - 2.6.1 type test
39 - 2.6.2 routine test
39 - 2.6.3 sampling test
39 - 2.6.4 special test
39 - 3 Classification
39 - 4 Characteristics
40 - 4.1 General
41 - 4.2 Type of equipment
41 - 4.3 Rated and limiting values for the main circuit
41 - 4.3.1 Rated voltages
42 - 4.3.2 Currents
43 - 4.3.3 Rated frequency
43 - 4.3.4 Rated duties
45 - 4.3.5 Normal load and overload characteristics
46 - 4.3.6 Short-circuit characteristics
46 - 4.4 Utilization category
47 - 4.5 Control circuits
47 - 4.5.1 Electrical control circuits
47 - 4.5.2 Air-supply control circuits (pneumatic or electro-pneumatic)
47 - 4.6 Auxiliary circuits
47 - 4.7 Relays and releases
48 - 4.8 Co-ordination with short-circuit protective devices (SCPD)
48 - 4.9 Switching overvoltages
48 - 5 Product information
48 - 5.1 Nature of information
49 - 5.2 Marking
50 - 5.3 Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance
50 - 6 Normal service, mounting and transport conditions
50 - 6.1 Normal service conditions
50 - 6.1.1 Ambient air temperature
50 - 6.1.2 Altitude
51 - 6.1.3 Atmospheric conditions
52 - 6.1.4 Shock and vibration
52 - 6.2 Conditions during transport and storage
52 - 6.3 Mounting
52 - 7 Constructional and performance requirements
52 - 7.1 Constructional requirements
52 - 7.1.1 Materials
53 - 7.1.2 Current-carrying parts and their connections
53 - 7.1.3 Clearances and creepage distances
53 - 7.1.4 Actuator
54 - 7.1.5 Indication of the contact position
54 - 7.1.6 Additional requirements for equipment suitable for isolation
56 - 7.1.7 Terminals
57 - 7.1.8 Additional requirements for equipment provided with a neutral pole
57 - 7.1.9 Provisions for protective earthing
58 - 7.1.10 Enclosures for equipment
59 - 7.1.11 Degrees of protection of enclosed equipment
59 - 7.1.12 Conduit pull-out, torque and bending with metallic conduits
59 - 7.2 Performance requirements
59 - 7.2.1 Operating conditions
60 - 7.2.2 Temperature-rise
61 - 7.2.3 Dielectric properties
64 - 7.2.4 Ability to make, carry and break currents under no-load, normal load and overload conditions
65 - 7.2.5 Ability to make, carry and break short-circuit currents
65 - 7.2.6 Switching overvoltages
65 - 7.2.7 Leakage currents of equipment suitable for isolation
66 - 7.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
66 - 7.3.1 General
66 - 7.3.2 Immunity
66 - 7.3.3 Emission
67 - 8 Tests
67 - 8.1 Kinds of test
67 - 8.1.1 General
67 - 8.1.2 Type tests
68 - 8.1.3 Routine tests
68 - 8.1.4 Sampling tests
68 - 8.2 Compliance with constructional requirements
69 - 8.2.1 Materials
69 - 8.2.2 Equipment
69 - 8.2.3 Enclosures for equipment
69 - 8.2.4 Mechanical properties of terminals
72 - 8.2.5 Verification of the effectiveness of indication of the main contact position of equipment suitable for isolation
73 - 8.2.6 Test for verification of clamping units transmitting contact pressure through insulating materials other than ceramics
75 - 8.2.7 Conduit pull-out test, torque test and bending test with metallic conduits
75 - 8.3 Performance
75 - 8.3.1 Test sequences
75 - 8.3.2 General test conditions
78 - 8.3.3 Performance under no-load, normal load and overload conditions
89 - 8.3.4 Performance under short-circuit conditions
94 - 8.4 Tests for EMC
94 - 8.4.1 Immunity
94 - 8.4.2 Emission
122 - Annex A - Examples of utilization categories for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear
123 - Annex B - Suitability of the equipment when conditions for operation in service differ from the normal conditions
123 - B.1 Examples of conditions differing from normal
123 - B.2 Connections with other apparatus
123 - B.3 Auxiliary contacts
123 - B.4 Special applications
124 - Annex C - Degrees of protection of enclosed equipment
124 - Introduction
124 - C.1 Scope
124 - C.2 Object
124 - C.3 Definitions
124 - C.4 Designation
124 - C.5 Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts and against ingress of solid foreign objects indicated by the...
124 - C.6 Degrees of protection against ingress of water indicated by the second characteristic numeral
125 - C.7 Degrees of protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the additional letter
125 - C.8 Supplementary letters
125 - C.9 Examples of designations with IP Code
125 - C.10 Marking
125 - C.11 General requirements for tests
126 - C.12 Tests for protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by the first characteristic numeral
126 - C.13 Tests for protection against ingress of solid foreign objects indicated by the first characteristic numeral
126 - C.14 Tests for protection against water indicated by second characteristic numeral
126 - C.15 Tests for protection against access to hazardous parts indicated by additional letter
127 - C.16 Summary of responsibilities of relevant technical committees
130 - Annex D - Examples of terminals
135 - Annex E - Description of a method for adjusting the load circuit
137 - Annex F - Determination of short-circuit power-factor or time-constant
137 - F.1 Determination of short-circuit power-factor
138 - F.2 Determination of short-circuit time-constant (oscillographic method)
139 - Annex G - Measurement of creepage distances and clearances
139 - G.1 Basic principles
139 - G.2 Use of ribs
145 - Annex H - Correlation between the nominal voltage of the supply system and the rated impulse withstand voltage of equipment
148 - Annex J - Items subject to agreement between manufacturer and user
149 - Annex L - Terminal marking and distinctive number
149 - L.1 General
149 - L.2 Terminal marking of impedances (alphanumerical)
151 - L.3 Terminal marking of contact elements for switching devices with two positions (numerical)
153 - L.4 Terminal
154 - L.5 Distinctive number
155 - Annex M - Flammability test
155 - M.1 Hot wire ignition test
156 - M.2 Arc ignition test
158 - Annex N - Requirements and tests for equipment with protective separation
158 - N.1 General
158 - N.2 Definitions
159 - N.3 Requirements
160 - N.4 Tests
162 - Annex O - Environmental aspects
162 - Introduction
162 - O.1 Scope
162 - O.2 Definitions
163 - O.3 General considerations
164 - O.4 Inputs and outputs to be considered
165 - O.5 Techniques for identifying and assessing environmental impacts
166 - O.6 Relevant ISO technical committees
166 - O.7 Guidance on environmental impact assessment (EIA) principles
167 - O.8 Guidance on design for environment (DFE) principles
167 - O.9 Reference documents

Applies to switchgear and controlgear intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1000 volt a.c. or 1500 volt d.c. This Standard is identical with, and has been reproduced from Consolidated Edition 3.1 of IEC 60947 which includes IEC 60947-1:1999, its Corrigendum 1999-04 and Amendment 1:2000.

This standard applies, when required by the relevant product standard, to switchgear and controlgear hereinafter referred to as "equipment" and intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c.It does not apply to low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies which are dealt with in IEC 60439.NOTE In certain clauses or subclauses of this standard, the equipment covered by this standard is also referred to as "device", to be consistent with the text of such clauses or subclauses.The object of this standard is to state those general rules and requirements which are common to low-voltage equipment as defined in 1.1, including for example: definitions; characteristics; information supplied with the equipment; normal service, mounting and transport conditions; constructional and performance requirements; verification of characteristics and performance.

First published in Australia as AS 3650-1988.
Revised and redesignated AS 3947.1-1993.
Jointly revised and designated AS/NZS 3947.1:1998.
Third edition 2001.