Disconnect Switches

IEC Disconnects in North America

 IEC Disconnects in North America

Introduction Many types of industrial power switches are used today for a variety of applications. Most
switches are used to control electrical service distributions, motor loads, and lighting systems.
Switches are categorized as either NEMA or IEC disconnects based on their assembly location
or compliance with particular standards. Lack of understanding of the characteristics of various
products and associated code requirements can be a potentially lethal and costly mistake.

IEC disconnects are rapidly gaining market acceptance in North America. National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA) data suggests that, in the United States, about 25% more
money is spent purchasing IEC disconnects versus NEMA-type disconnects. Lower device costs,
panel space–savings and electrical code standardization trends mean that these market
requirements will not abate.

This white paper intends to inform the reader about the use of IEC disconnects and present data
to help safely apply them in North America. Its companion white paper, 194R-WP001A-EN-P,
Service Entrance and At-motor Disconnect Applications, should be consulted for additional
background information.

The IEC An IEC Disconnect is a device that conforms to International Electrotechnical Commission, or
European, requirements. Global manufacturing and melding of various standards have resulted
Disconnect in products from many areas of the world being used in the same location. As a result,
machinery may be assembled with many different devices.

It is important to note that switches may have been intentionally designed to meet a specific
North American or European standard. Devices may also be designed for compliance to
additional areas. In the case of switches used in North America, they must be minimally listed
for use as at-motor, service entrance, etc. applications. Simply complying with a European or
IEC requirement or having a CE marking alone is not permissible for use in the U.S.

This white paper will summarize key points of this standard and comment on how it applies to
switches used in the North American region.

Definitions (per EN/IEC 60947-3)

Non-Fused Devices

Figure 1.

Switch: A mechanical device capable of making, carrying, and breaking currents under normal
circuit conditions (which may include operating overload conditions and carrying for time
currents under abnormal circuit conditions), such as those of a short-circuit.

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Figure 2.

Disconnector: A mechanical switching device which, in the OPEN position, satisfies the
requirements specified for the isolating function.

Figure 3.

Switch disconnector: A switch which, in the OPEN position, satisfies the isolating
requirements specified for a disconnector.

Fused Devices

Fuse combination unit: A combination of a mechanical switching device and one or more
fuses in a composite unit, assembled by the manufacturer or in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions.

Figure 4.

Switch fuse: A switch in which one or more poles have a fuse in series with a composite unit.

Figure 5.

Fuse switch: A switch in which a fuse link or fuse carrier with a fuse link forms the moving
contact.

Figure 6.

Disconnector fuse: A disconnector in which one or more poles have a fuse in series with a
composite unit.

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Figure 7.

Fuse disconnector: A disconnector in which a fuse link or fuse carrier with a fuse link
forms the moving contact.

Figure 8.

Switch-disconnector fuse: A switch disconnector in which one or more poles have a

fuse in series with a composite unit.

Figure 9.

Fuse-switch disconnector: A switch-disconnector in which a fuse link or a fuse carrier

with a fuse link forms the moving contact.

Scope EN/IEC 60947-3, Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Part 3 covers switches,
disconnectors, switch-disconnectors, and fuse combination units. It includes switch
descriptions, ratings, and characteristics of switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors
and fuse-combination units in distribution circuits up to 100V AC or 1500V DC. The
standard does not cover usage in non explosive atmospheres. Switches covered by this
standard must meet specified operation criteria under both normal conditions and
abnormal conditions, e.g., short-circuits and dielectric conditions. Devices must be tested
to meet required criteria. A manufacturer typically will publish this data in a product
catalog or data sheet.

Construction IEC Disconnect devices are described as switches or isolators and whether a fuse is
integrated into the construction.

Per EN/IEC 60947-3, a switch is a mechanical device that can make, carry and break a
load current under normal conditions. The switch may be able to make, but not break,
short-circuit fault currents. Further, it may withstand overload currents of specified
duration.

A disconnector is synonymous with an isolator. The isolator must be able to carry a load.
When in the OPEN position, the disconnector must provide sufficient isolating distance to
prevent conduction. Carrying of fault current for specific time periods is permitted.

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A switch-disconnector is a combination of switch and isolator. The switch-disconnector also

combines the making, breaking and isolation attribute of the respective components.

Fuse capability to offer short-circuit protection may be designed into the switch or disconnector
to meet fuse-combination requirements. Placement of the fuse in the switch’s movable or
stationary contact will dictate the device’s description.

Placement of the fuse in series with stationary contacts describe switch-fuses, disconnector-
fuses and switch-disconnector-fuses. By contrast, placement of the fuse element integral to the
movable contact will describe a fuse-switch, fuse-disconnector, or fuse-switch-disconnector.

Table 1 Switch Construction

Disconnect Type Non-Fused Fused Making Breaking Carrying Isolating Fuse in Fuse in
Current Current Current Series Movable Contact
Switch X — X X X — — —
Disconnector X — — — X X — —
Switch-Disconnector X — X X X X — —
Switch-Fuse — X X X X — X —
Disconnector-Fuse — X — — X X X —
Switch-Disconnector-Fuse — X X X X X X —
Fuse-Switch — X X X X — — X
Fuse-Disconnector — X — — X X — X
Fuse-Switch-Disconnector — X X X X X — X

Switch Operation of the switch may be either manual or stored energy and actuated via dependent,
independent, or semi-independent action.
Operation
Dependent manual operation required activation solely by directly applied manual energy such
that actuation is dependent on the speed and force of handle operation.

Independent manual operation actuates with stored energy, from manual power, stored and
released in one continuous operation. Speed and force of operation are independent of operator
action

By contrast, Semi-independent manual operation is operated solely by means of directly applied

manual energy such that the manual force is increased up to a threshold beyond which
independent switch is achieved, unless deliberately delayed by personnel.

Finally, stored energy operation is that operation by energy stored in the mechanism prior to
completion of the operation and sufficient to complete the task under predetermined conditions
occurs.

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Characteristics Switches and isolators are prescribed by the following parameters:

• number of poles
• type of current (AC or DC)
• number of positions, if more than two are present
• rated and limiting values of main circuits
As exceptions, fuses may be on either side of or in a stationary position between the
contacts of the switch. Construction of switch elements maybe either single or double
break design.

Voltage and current must be described. Values of switches under enclosed, free-air,
impulse and steady state conditions are stated for each device

Voltage ratings

• Ue rated operation voltage

• Ui rated insulation voltage

• Uimp rated impulse withstand voltage

Current ratings

• Ith conventional free-air thermal current

• Ithe conventional enclosed thermal current

• Ie rated operational current

• Iu rated uninterrupted current

Short-circuit EN/IEC 60947-3 defines short circuit response of a switch. It specifically stipulates the
rated short-time with current, (Icw) and short circuit making capacity, (Icm).
Characteristics
Icw is the value of rated short-time duration withstand currant of the switch. This value
must be at least 12 times the maximum operational current or 1 second. A manufacturer
may deviate from this only by stating the withstand rating.

The Icm rating is the rating to describe the switches’ ability to make a closure under short
circuit conditions. The manufacturer must state the device’s Icm value for rated operational
voltage, at rated frequency and at a specific power factor. This value is expressed as the
maximum amount of prospective peak current the switch can handle.

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Utilization A switch must list the nature of the intended application. The utilization category expresses the
type of current (AC or DC), frequency of operation, and typical load conditions.
Categories
Frequency of operation is described as frequent or infrequent. The number of cycles under
which the switch must operate is defined for conditions under load and without load. The total
number of operations (the sum of load and no-load operations) varies by the switch’s
operational current ratings (Ie) and frequency of operation. Total operations for frequent
operations range from 2000 operations for 2500 A units to 10,000 operations for switches less
than 100 A. Infrequently operated devices must pass a range of 400 operations for units with Ie
less than 2500 A, while units less than 100 A must operate for 2000 operations.

Note: For an IEC rated disconnect to be applied in the U.S., it must be UL listed to UL508 or
UL98. Also, AC21 or DC21 rated isolators are not permitted. Isolation switches must
be minimally rated for AC23 or DC23 applications.

Capacitor or Tungsten Lighting Loads may be switched with EN/IEC 60947-3 switches only
between agreement of the manufacturer and user. Switches may perform differently, based on
design. EN/IEC 60947-3 does not specifically cover lighting or capacitor switching applications.

Table 2 Utilization Categories

Utilization Category
Nature of
Current Frequent Infrequent Typical Application
Operation Operation
20A 20B Connecting & disconnecting under no load
21A 21B Switching of resistive loads with moderate overloads
AC 22A 22B Switching of mixed resistive & inductive loads, with
moderate overloads
Switching of motor loads and other highly inductive
23A 23B loads
20A 20B Connecting & disconnecting under no load
21A 21B Switching of resistive loads with moderate overloads
DC 22A 22B Switching of mixed resistive & inductive loads, with
moderate overloads
Switching of motor loads and other highly inductive
23A 23B loads

Requirements also stipulate the number of operating cycles per hour when running qualification
test. Devices with low Ie ratings may be switches more frequently per hour.

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Table 3 Operational Requirement for Frequent/Infrequent Duty

# of # of Operating Cycles
Rated Operational Operating Frequent Operation (AC or DC) Infrequent Operation (AC or DC)
Current Ie cycles per With Without With Without
hour Total Total
Current Current Current Current
0 < Ie ≤ 100 A 120 8500 1500 10000 1700 300 2000
100 < Ie ≤315 A 120 7000 1000 8000 1400 200 1600
315 < Ie ≤ 630 A 60 4000 1000 5000 800 200 1000
630 < Ie ≤ 2500 A 20 2500 500 3000 500 100 600
2500 < Ie 10 1500 500 2000 300 100 400

Typical Switch
Rating AC23A

Type of Current Utilization Category Frequency of Operation

AC 23 Switching of highly inductive loads A Frequent Operation

Product All switches must be marked with pertinent technical data including
Marking • Position Indication
• O-1 OFF-ON Indication
• Isolation Suitability symbol
• Utilization Category rating e.g., AC23A
• Manufacturer’s mark
• Type designations (catalog number)
• Rated operation current at rated operational voltage, Ie 63 A Ue690V AC
• Operational Frequency, range or DC notation, 50/60 Hz _ _ _ _
• Fuse type, maximum rated current and power loss, (fused units only)
• IEC 947-3 compliance
• Degree of protection, e.g., IP2X Finger Rating compliance

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Terminal Terminal markings for LINE and LOAD connections are required.
Markings LINE Side 1 /L1 3/L2 5/L3
LOAD Side 2/T1 4/T2 6/T3
Neutral Terminals must be marked with the letter “N”
Earthing Connection (Ground) “PE”

Supplemental The following data may be published by the manufacturer but is not required on the device:
Data • Rated insulation voltage, Ue

• Rated impulse voltage withstand for isolation, Uimp

• Pollution degree
• Rated duty, 8-hour or uninterrupted duty
• Rated short-time withstand current and duration, Icw

• Rated short-circuit making capacity, Icm

• Rated short-circuit current

• Installation instructions

Performance Switches must meet temperature rise, dielectric, making/breaking capacity, and operations
tests. Further, disconnecting devices must meet mechanical, electrical, short-circuit, overload
Requirements and isolations tests.

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Table 4 Making/Breaking Performance

Rated
Utilization Operational I/Ie U/Ue Ic/Ie Ur/Ue Power # of Cycles
Category Current Ie Factor

AC20 All Values — — — — — —

AC21 All Values 1.5 1.05 1.5 1.05 0.95 5
AC22 All Values 3 1.05 3 1.05 0.65 5
0<Ie≤ 100 A 10 1.05 8 1.05 0.45 5
AC23
100 A < Ie 10 1.05 8 1.05 0.35 3
Rated
Utilization Operational I/Ie U/Ue Ic/Ie Ur/Ue L/R (ms) # of Cycles
Category Current Ie
DC20 All Values — — — — — —
DC21 All Values 1.5 1.05 1.5 1.05 1 5
DC22 All Values 4 1.05 4 1.05 2.5 5
DC23 All Values 4 1.05 4 1.05 15 5

I = Making Current U = Applied Voltage

Ic = Breaking Current Ue = Rated Operational Voltage
Ur Power Frequency/DC recovery voltage

Note: AC20/DC20 not permitted in U.S.A.

Mechanical The switch’s mechanical strength is measured by testing to 3 times the unit’s operating
force (F) within a specific range. The device must be held closed for 10 seconds. After
Durability testing, the actuator shall accurately indicate the OPEN Position. See Table 5 for switch
requirements for switching operations with and without applied load.

Table 5 Switch Requirements

Actuator Type Test Force Min. Test Force (N) Max. Test Force (N)
Push Button or 1-finger operated 3*F 50 150
2-finger operated 3*F 100 200
1-hand operated 3*F 150 400
2-hand operated 3*F 200 600

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IEC Disconnects IEC disconnects may be used in North America, provided they are dual-rated for UL or CSA
standards. Also note that EN/IEC 60947-3 makes no distinction between service entrance and
in North at-motor disconnect.
America
Here are points to consider:

• Devices used as Service Disconnects must be UL 98 (or 1087) Listed in the U.S. or certified
to CSA 22.2# 4 in Canada.
• Switches used as motor disconnects must be Listed to UL 508 in the U.S. or Certified to
CSA 22.2# 14 in Canada.
• Application of service switches must meet National Electrical Code Article 250; application
of at-motor switches must comply with Article 430
• Know the available fault current of the circuit. Only apply switches that can withstand
short-circuit fault current.
• Select switch with Hp at rated voltage or at least 115% of the motor’s full load amperage
(FLA).
• Operating handles must be lockable in the OFF position. This prevents circuit closure during
servicing. OSHA 29 C.F.R. 1910.147 lockout/tagout procedures must be followed.
• Industry or local standards may require additional compliance to permit use. Often
requirements like visible blade indication, flange handle operation, operator control with
enclosure door in open or closed position and specific interlock criteria may be required.
Check local codes for specific compliance requirement

Summary IEC disconnects designed to European standards are gaining acceptance in North America.
Functionally, IEC devices accomplish similar duties as their corresponding NEMA disconnects.
For proper application, IEC disconnects must be compliant with prevailing code requirements in
North America. Often an IEC disconnect must carry UL Listing, CSA Certification, and CE mark to
permitted in the region. Specific industry requirements may also apply.

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Publication 194-WP002A-EN-P - December 2001

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