INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION STANDARDS
Rules and statutory regulations
Range of low-voltage extends from 0 V to 1000 V in a.c. and from 0 V to 1500 V in d.c. One of the first decision is the selection of type of
current between the alternative current which corresponds to the most common type of current through out the world and the direct current. Then
designers have to select the most appropriate rated voltage within these ranges of voltages. When connected to a LV public network, the type of
current and the rated voltage are already selected and imposed by the Utility. Compliance with national regulations is then the second priority of
the designers of electrical installation. Regulations may be based on national or international standards such as the IEC 60364 series. Selection of
equipment complying with national or international product standards and appropriate verification of the completed installation is a powerful
mean for providing a safe installation with the expected quality. Defining and complying with the verification and testing of the electrical
installation at its completion as well as periodic time will guarantee the safety and the quality of this installation all along its life cycle.
Conformity of equipment according to the appropriate product standards used within the installation is also of prime importance for the level of
safety and quality.
Environmental conditions will become more and more stringent and will need to be considered at the design stage of the installation. This may
include national or regional regulations considering the material used in the equipment as well as the dismantling of the installation at its end of
life.

LV Distribution
standardised earthing schemes

The earthing system qualifies three originally independent choices made by the designer of an
electrical distribution system or installation:

 The type of connection of the electrical system (that is generally of the neutral conductor)
and of the exposed parts to earth electrod (s)
 A separate protective conductor or protective conductor and neutral conductor being a single
conductor
 The use of earth fault protection of overcurrent protective switchgear which clear only
relatively high fault currents or the use of additional relays able to detect and clear small insulation
fault currents to earth

Electrical installers across the world may call the distribution systems in different names: like three
phase- three wire system, three phase – four wire system, single phase- one wire, single phase =
two wire system…etc.

But to bring an uniform definition, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), under the

standard IEC 60364-3 classified the AC power distribution systems, according to the different
grounding methods as: TN, TT & IT systems; and the TN system is further separated into TN-C,
TN-S, TN-C-S.

First letter: denotes the relationship of the power distribution system to earth

➤ T – means direct connection of one pole to earth

➤ I – means system isolated from earth, or one point connected to earth through an impedance.

Second letter: denotes grounding of the equipment

➤ T - means direct electrical connection of the equipment to earth, independently of the grounding
of any point of the power distribution system.
➤ N means direct electrical connection of the equipment to the earthed point of the power
distribution system ( in ac systems, the earthed point of the power distribution system is normally the
neutral point or, if a neutral point is not available, a phase conductor).

Third letter: denotes the arrangement of neutral and protective conductors

➤ S - means the protective function is provided by a conductor separate from the neutral or from the
earthed line (or in ac systems, earthed phase) conductor.
➤ C - means the neutral and protective functions are combined in a single conductor (PEN
conductor). 

Different earthing systems

Why do we have different earthing systems like TN, TN-C, TN-S, TT & IT ?. Why can’t we have one
standard earthing scheme? What reasons make the electrical installers & manufacturers to choose
these different schemes?

Choosing an earthing scheme is not that direct; It is all about saving money vs provide a sufficient
coverage against electric shock.

For instance,

➤ TT- is mainly for consumer power supplies. The owner must install the earthing protection by their
own connection to the earth. The advantage is the reduction noise of high or low frequency, no risk
of failure and suitable for premises where all AC power circuits are residual current device (RCD)
protected.

➤ IT-This system is similar with TT system but different in earthing supply. The distributor system
has only a high impedance connection. This type is not ideal for consumer power supply and used
for power distributor such as substation or generator area.
➤ TN-S system The consumer’s earthing terminal is usually connected to the metallic part of the
distributor’s cable .This is used for underground power supply to the premise or factory from the
distributor substation to customer substation.

➤ TN-C-S system-This system has the supply neutral conductor of a distribution main connected
with earth at source as protective multiple earthing.
➤ TN-C-This system is a combined PEN conductor fulfils the functions of both a PE(protective
conductors) and an N (neutral) conductor.
 Installation and measurements of earth electrodes

A very effective method of obtaining a low-resistance earth connection is to bury a

conductor in the form of a closed loop in the soil at the bottom of the excavation for building
foundations.
The resistance R of such an electrode (in homogeneous soil) is given (approximately) in

ohms by: 
where
L = length of the buried conductor in metres
ρ = soil resistivity in ohm-metres
The quality of an earth electrode (resistance as low as possible) depends essentially on two factors:

 Installation method
 Type of soil

Installation System
Distribution switchboards

A distribution switchboard is the point at which an incoming-power supply divides into separate
circuits, each of which is controlled and protected by the fuses or switchgear of the switchboard. A
distribution switchboard is divided into a number of functional units, each comprising all the electrical
and mechanical elements that contribute to the fulfilment of a given function. It represents a key link
in the dependability chain.
Consequently, the type of distribution switchboard must be perfectly adapted to its application. Its
design and construction must comply with applicable standards and working practises.
The distribution switchboard enclosure provides dual protection:

 Protection of switchgear, indicating instruments, relays, fusegear, etc. against mechanical

impacts, vibrations and other external influences likely to interfere with operational integrity (EMI,
dust, moisture, vermin, etc.)
 The protection of human life against the possibility of direct and indirect electric shock (see
degree of protection IP and the IK index in List of external influences ).

Standards IEC 61439

Compliance with applicable standards is essential in order to ensure an adequate degree of
dependability
 The IEC standard series 61439 ("Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies") have been
developed in order to provide to the End-Users of switchboards a high level of confidence in terms
of safety and power availability.
Safety aspects include:

 Safety of people (risk of electrocution),

 Risk of fire,
 Risk of explosion.
Power availability is a major issue in many activity sectors, with high possible economical impact in
case of long interruption consecutive to a switchboard failure.
The standards give the design and verification requirements so that no failure should be expected in
case of fault, disturbance, or operation in severe environment conditions.
Compliance to the standards shall ensure that the switchboard will operate correctly not only in
normal conditions, but also in difficult conditions.

Standard structure

The IEC 61439 standard series consist in one base standard (IEC 61439-1) giving the general rules,
and several related standards detailing which of these general rules apply (or not, or should be
adapted) for specific types of assemblies:

 IEC/TR 61439-0: Guidance to specifying assemblies

 IEC 61439-1: General rules
 IEC 61439-2: Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies
 IEC 61439-3: Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO)
 IEC 61439-4: Particular requirements for assemblies for construction sites (ACS)
 IEC 61439-5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks
 IEC 61439-6: Busbar trunking systems (busways)
 IEC/TS 61439-7: Assemblies for specific applications such as marinas, camping sites,
market squares, electric vehicles charging stations.

The IEC61439 standards also include:

 updated or new design requirements (example: new lifting test)

 highly clarified design verifications to be made, and the acceptable methods which can be
used (or not) to do these verifications, for each type of requirement.
 a more detailed list of routine verifications, and more severe requirements for clearances.
Cables and busways

Two types of distribution are possible:

 By insulated wires and cables

 By busbar trunking (busways)
 Distribution by insulated conductors and cables

Definitions

 Conductor

A conductor comprises a single metallic core with or without an insulating envelope.

 Cable

A cable is made up of a number of conductors, electrically separated, but joined mechanically,

generally enclosed in a protective flexible sheath.

 Cableway

The term cableway refers to conductors and/or cables together with the means of support and
protection, etc. for example : cable trays, ladders, ducts, trenches, and so on… are all “cableways”.

Conductor marking

Conductor identification must always respect the following three rules:

 Rule 1
The double colour green and yellow is strictly reserved for the PE and PEN protection
conductors.

 Rule 2
 When a circuit comprises a neutral conductor, it must be light blue or marked “1” for
cables with more than five conductors
 When a circuit does not have a neutral conductor, the light blue conductor may be
used as a phase conductor if it is part of a cable
 with more than one conductor
 Rule 3
 Phase conductors may be any colour except:
 Green and yellow
 Green
 Yellow
 Light blue (see rule 2)
Busbar trunking (busways)

Busways, also referred to as busbar trunking systems, stand out for their ease of
installation, flexibility and number of possible connection points
Busbar trunking is intended to distribute power (from 20 A to 5000 A) and lighting (in this application,
the busbar trunking may play a dual role of supplying electrical power and physically holding the
lights).

Busbar trunking system components

A busbar trunking system comprises a set of conductors protected by an enclosure (see Fig. E44).

Used for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, busbar trunking systems have all the
necessary features for fitting: connectors, straights, angles, fixings, etc. The tap-off points placed at
regular intervals make power available at every point in the installation.

Standards

Busbar trunking systems must meet all rules stated in IEC 61439-6.
This defines the manufacturing arrangements to be complied with in the design of busbar trunking
systems (e.g.: temperature rise characteristics, short-circuit withstand, mechanical strength, etc.) as
well as test methods to check them.
The new standard IEC61439-6 describes in particular the design verifications and routine
verifications required to ensure compliance.
By assembling the system components on the site according to the assembly instructions, the
contractor benefits from conformity with the standard.
 Protection provided for enclosed equipment: codes IP and IK

IP code definition

The degree of protection provided by an enclosure is indicated in the IP code, recommended in IEC
60529.
Protection is afforded against the following external influences:

 Penetration by solid bodies

 Protection of persons against access to live parts
 Protection against the ingress of dust
 Protection against the ingress of liquids
Note: the IP code applies to electrical equipment for voltages up to and including 72.5 kV.
Elements of the IP Code and their meanings
IK Code definition

Standard IEC 62262 defines an IK code that characterises the aptitude of equipment to resist
mechanical impacts on all sides (see Fig. E68).
 IP and IK code specifications for distribution switchboards

The degrees of protection IP and IK of an enclosure must be specified as a function of the different
external influences defined by standard IEC 60364-5-51, in particular:

 Presence of solid bodies (code AE)

 Presence of water (code AD)
 Mechanical stresses (no code)
 Capability of persons (code BA)

GENERAL METHOD FOR CABLES

Possible methods of installation for different types of conductors or cables

The different admissible methods of installation are listed in Figure G8, in conjunction with the different
types of conductors and cables.

SELECTION OF WIRING SYSTEMS

ERECTION OF WIRING SYSTEMS

EXAMPLES OF WIRING SYSTEMS AND REFERENCE METHODS OF INSTALLATIONS
EXAMPLES OF METHODS OF INSTALLATION
MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE:

The current-carrying capacities given in the subsequent tables have been determined so that the
maximum insulation temperature is not exceeded for sustained periods of time.
REDUCTION FACTORS FOR GROUPS OF MORE THAN ONE CIRCUIT OR OF MORE THAN ONE
MULTI-CORE CABLE

Grouping of conductors or cables The current-carrying capacities given in the subsequent tables relate
to single circuits consisting of the following numbers of loaded conductors: v Two insulated conductors
or two single-core cables, or one twin-core cable (applicable to single-phase circuits); v Three insulated
conductors or three single-core cables, or one three-core cable (applicable to three-phase circuits).
Where more insulated conductors or cables are installed in the same group, a group reduction factor
(here noted k4) shall be applied.

REDUCTION FACTORS FOR GROUPS OF MORE THAN ONE CIRCUIT OR OF MORE THAN ONE
MULTI-CORE CABLE
PARTICULAR CASES OF SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT

The method of verification consists in checking that the thermal energy I2t per ohm of conductor
material, allowed to pass by the protecting circuit breaker (from manufacturers catalogues) is less than
that permitted for the particular conductor
LV SWITCHGEAR: FUNCTION AND SELECTION
National and international standards define the manner in which electric circuits of LV
installations must be realized, and the capabilities and limitations of the various switching
devices which are collectively referred to as switchgear.

The main functions of switchgear are:

 Electrical protection
o Protection of circuit elements against the thermal and mechanical stresses of
short-circuit currents
o Protection of persons in the event of insulation failure
o Protection of appliances and apparatus being supplied (e.g. motors, etc.)
 Electrical isolation of sections of an installation
o A state of isolation clearly indicated by an approved “fail-proof” indicator, or the
visible separation of contacts, are both deemed to satisfy the national standards
of many countries
o An isolating device must fulfil the following requirements:
 All poles of a circuit, including the neutral (except where the neutral is a
PEN conductor) must open
 the concurrent opening of all live conductors, while not always
obligatory, is however, strongly recommended (for
reasons of greater safety and facility of operation). The neutral
contact opens after the phase contacts, and closes before them
(IEC 60947-1).
 It must be provided with a locking system in open position with a key (e.g.
by means of a padlock) in order to avoid an unauthorized reclosure by
inadvertence
 It must comply with a recognized national or international standard
(e.g. IEC 60947-3) concerning clearance between contacts, creepage
distances,overvoltage withstand capability, etc.:
 Local or remote switching
o Functional control (routine switching, etc.)
 This control relates to all switching operations in normal service
conditions for energizing or de-energizing a part of a system or
installation, or an individual piece of equipment, item of plant, etc.
o Emergency switching
 An emergency switching is intended to de-energize a live circuit which is,
or could become, dangerous (electric shock or fire).
 An emergency stop is intended to halt a movement which has become
dangerous.
 The emergency control device or its means of operation (local or
at remote location(s)) such as a large red mushroom-headed
emergency-stop pushbutton must be recognizable and readily
accessible, in proximity to any position at which danger could
arise or be seen
  A single action must result in a complete switching-off of all live
conductors (2) (3)
 A “break glass” emergency switching initiation device is
authorized, but in unmanned installations the re-energizing of the
circuit can only be achieved by means of a key held by an
authorized person
o Maintenance operations on the power system
 This operation assures the stopping of a machine and its impossibility to
be inadvertently restarted while mechanical maintenance work is being
carried out on the driven machinery. The shutdown is generally carried
out at the functional switching device, with the use of a suitable safety
lock and warning notice at the switch mechanism.
Other functions of switchgear are:

 Over-voltage protection
 Under-voltage protection
The Electrical Engineering Portal (EEP) supplies a breakdown of ANSI standards C84.1-1989.
This document divides voltages into five classifications. These classifications can be combined
into the categories below:

 High (HV), Extra- High (EHV) & Ultra-High Voltages (UHV) - 115,000 to 1,100,000 VAC
 Medium Voltage (MV) - 2,400 to 69,000 VAC
 Low Voltage (LV) - 240 to 600 VAC

Variations of Switchgear

Elementary switching devices

 Disconnector (or isolator)

o This switch is a manually-operated, lockable, two-position device
(open/closed) which provides safe isolation of a circuit when locked in the
 open position. A disconnector is not designed to make or to break
current(1) and no rated values for these functions are given in standards.
It must, however, be capable of withstanding the passage of short-circuit
currents and is assigned a rated short-time withstand capability, generally
for 1 second, unless otherwise agreed between user and manufacturer.

 Load-breaking switch
o This control switch is generally operated manually (but is sometimes
provided with electrical tripping for operator convenience) and is a non-
automatic two-position device (open/closed).
o It is used to close and open loaded circuits under normal unfaulted circuit
conditions.
o It does not consequently, provide any protection for the circuit it controls.
o When closing a switch to energize a circuit there is always the possibility
that an unsuspected short-circuit exists on the circuit. For this reason,
load-break switches are assigned a fault-current making rating, i.e.
successful closure against the electrodynamic forces of short-circuit
current is assured. Such switches are commonly referred to as “fault-
make load-break” switches. Upstream protective devices are relied upon
to clear the short-circuit fault
 Impulse Relay
o This device is extensively used in the control of lighting circuits where the
depression of a pushbutton (at a remote control position) will open an
already-closed switch or close an opened switch in a bistable sequence.
o Typical applications are:
 Two way or more switching points in stairways, corridors in
housing or commercial building
 Large space (open space) in office buiding
 Industrial facilities.
o Auxiliary devices are available to provide:
 Remote indication of its state at
any instant
 Time-delay functions
 Maintained-contact features
 Contactor
o The contactor is a solenoid-operated
switching device which is generally held
closed by (a reduced) current through
the closing solenoid (although various
mechanically-latched types exist for
specific duties). Contactors are
designed to carry out numerous
close/open cycles and are commonly
controlled remotely by on/off
pushbuttons.
 Discontactor
o A contactor equipped with a thermal-
type relay for protection against
overloading defines a “discontactor”.
Discontactors are used and considered
as an essential element in a motor
controller, as noted in sub-clause 2.2. “combined switchgear elements”.
The discontactor is not the equivalent of a circuit-breaker, since its
shortcircuit current breaking capability is limited to 8 or 10 In. For short-
circuit protection therefore, it is necessary to include either fuses or a
circuit-breaker in series with, and upstream of, the discontactor contacts.
 Integrated Control Circuit Breaker
o “Integrated control circuit breaker” is a single device which combines the
following
o main and additional functions :
 Circuit breaker for cables protection
 Remote control by latched or/and impulse type orders
 Remote indication of status
 Interface compatible with building management system
 Fuses
o The first letter indicates the breaking range:
  “g” fuse-links (full-range breaking-capacity fuse-link)
 “a” fuse-links (partial-range breaking-capacity fuse-link)
o The second letter indicates the utilization category; this letter defines with
accuracy the time-current characteristics, conventional times and
currents, gates.
For example
 “gG” indicates fuse-links with a full-range breaking capacity for
general application
 “gM” indicates fuse-links with a full-range breaking capacity for the
protection of
 motor circuits
 “aM” indicates fuse-links with a partial range breaking capacity for
the protection of
 motor circuits
o Two classes of LV cartridge fuse are very widely used:
 For domestic and similar installations type gG
 For industrial installations type gG, gM or aM

Elementary switching devices

 Switch and Fuse Combination

o Two cases are distinguished:
o The type in which the operation of one (or more) fuse(s) causes the
switch to open. This is achieved by the use of fuses fitted with striker
pins, and a system of switch tripping springs and toggle mechanisms
(see Fig. H17)
o The type in which a non-automatic switch is associated with a set of
fuses in a common enclosure. In some countries, and in IEC 60947-3,
the terms “switch-fuse” and “fuse-switch” have specific meanings, viz:
 A switch-fuse comprises a switch (generally 2 breaks per pole)
on the upstream side of three fixed fuse-bases, into which the
fuse carriers are inserted (see Fig. H18)
 A fuse-switch consists of three switch blades each constituting
a double-break per phase.
Selection of Switchgear
Circuit Breakers

Description
  Figure H24 shows schematically the main parts of a LV circuit-breaker and its
four
 essential functions:
o The circuit-breaking components, comprising the fixed and moving
contacts and the arc-dividing chamber
o The latching mechanism which becomes unlatched by the tripping
device on detection of abnormal current conditions
This mechanism is also linked to the operation handle of the breaker.
 A trip-mechanism actuating device:
o Either: a thermal-magnetic device, in which a thermally-operated bi-
metal strip detects an overload condition, while an electromagnetic
striker pin operates at current levels reached in short-circuit
conditions, or
o An electronic relay operated from current transformers, one of which
is installed on each phase
 A space allocated to the several types of terminal currently used for the main
power circuit conductors

Fundamental characteristics of circuit breakers

The fundamental characteristics of a circuit-breaker are:

 Its rated voltage Ue

 Its rated current In
 Its tripping-current-level adjustment ranges for overload protection (Ir or Irth) and for
short-circuit protection (Im)
 Its short-circuit current breaking rating (Icu for industrial CBs; Icn for domestictype CBs).

Selection of circuit breaker

Choice of a circuit-breaker

The choice of a CB is made in terms of:

 Electrical characteristics of the installation for which the CB is intended

 Its eventual environment: ambient temperature, in a kiosk or switchboard enclosure,
climatic conditions, etc.
o The rated current of a circuit-breaker is defined for operation at a given ambient
temperature, in general:
 30 °C for domestic-type CBs
 40 °C for industrial-type CBs
 Short-circuit current breaking and making requirements
 Operational specifications: discriminative tripping, requirements (or not) for remote
control and indication and related auxiliary contacts, auxiliary tripping coils, connection
 Installation regulations; in particular: protection of persons
 Load characteristics, such as motors, fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, LV/LV
transformers

Chapter F Protection against electric shocks and electric fires

Electric Shock- phenomenon being experienced of a certain body whenever an electric current passes
through it. (muscular, circulatory, respiratory and other system of a human body)

Degree of Burns/danger- it depends on the magnitude of the current and the duration of the exposure.
The longer being exposed, the higher the danger

Note: When a current exceeding 30 mA passes through a part of a human body, the person concerned
is in serious danger if the current is not interrupted in a very short time. The protection of persons
against electric shock in LV installations must be provided in conformity with appropriate national
standards statutory regulations, codes of practice, official guides and circulars etc. Relevant IEC
standards include: IEC 60364, IEC 60479 series, IEC 61008, IEC 61009 and IEC 60947-2.

Types of Contact : Direct and Indirect

Direct: refers to person having contact with a live conductor

Indirect: refers to person having contact with a not normally alive conductor, but ha become alive
accidentally

Causes of Electric Shocks:

Lack of proper Maintenance,

Imprudence, carelessness

Normal (or abnormal) wear and tear of insulation; for instance flexure and abrasion of connecting leads

Accidental contact

------Protection Against Direct Contact

High Sensitivity RCD- high sensitivity residual current operating device, which operate at 30mA or less
used to disconnect the power supply automatically

According to IEC 60364-4-41, additional protection by means of high sensitivity RCDs (I∆n y 30 mA) must
be provided for circuits supplying socket-outlets with a rated current y 20 A in all locations, and for
circuits supplying mobile equipment with a rated current y 32 A for use outdoors.
------Protection Against Indirect Contact- can be achieved by automatic disconnection of the
supply if the exposed -conductive-parts of equipment are properly earthed

A) Measures of Protection: We have 2 levels.

1st level- The earthing of all exposed-conductive-parts of electrical equipment in the installation and the
constitution of an equipotential bonding network. We have Protective Earthing Conductor (PE)

PE Conductor must:

1. not include in any means of continuity of a circuit or as a switch

2. connect individually to main PE conductor, in parallel not in series

SERIES PARALLEL

2nd level- Automatic disconnection of the supply of the section of the installation concerned, in such a
way that the touch-voltage/time safety requirements are respected for any level of touch voltage Uc

RCDs Description
A magnetic core encompasses all the current-carrying conductors of an electric circuit and the
magnetic flux generated in the core will depend at every instant on the vectorial sum of the currents;
the currents passing in one direction being considered as positive (Ι1), while those passing in the
opposite direction will be negative
Form Factors of RCDs

----- Industrial-type CB with RCD module

a) industrial type circuit breaker with integrated RCD Function

b) Acti 9 DIN-rail Industrial Circuit Breaker

c) Industrial Type Circuit breaker with adaptable vigi rcd module

Household and Similar Miniature circuit Breakers with RCD

Domestic residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) for earth leakage protection

a) The incoming-supply circuit breaker can also have

time- delayed characteristics and integrate a RCD

b) “Monobloc” Déclic Vigi residual current circuit breakers intended for protection of terminal
socket-outlet circuits in domestic and tertiary sector applications.
Residual current circuit breakers and RCDs with separate toroidal current
transformer
RCDs with separate toroidal CTs can be used in association with circuit breakers or contactors.

RCDs with separate toroidal current transformers (Vigirex)

Arc Fault Detection Devices
Causes of Fires of Electrical Origin
*Electrical fires are caused by overloads, short circuits and earth leakage currents, but also by electric
arcs in cables and connections.

*When a cable is locally damaged or an electrical connection comes loose, there are two phenomena
which can initiate a fire due to an arc:

Ex.

Carbonization ,
Resistive Short Circuit
Arc fault detectors

The arc fault detector technology makes it possible to detect dangerous arcs and thus protect
installations. The arc fault detector monitors in real time numerous electrical parameters of the circuit
that it protects in order to detect information characteristic of the presence of dangerous electric arcs.

The IEC 62606 defines Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) which detect the presence of dangerous
electric arcs and cut off the circuit's power supply to prevent initiating the first flame.
Photovoltaic Installations
This technology enables to produce electricity directly from the sun light, which is a
source of renewable energy (solar energy, solar panel)
At ground level, it supplies an average of 1000 W/m² per day and PV cell is capable of
generating voltage of between 0.5 V and 2 V
depending on the materials used and on the following principal criteria:
 The latitude
 The angle of the surface and the direction faced
 The degree of pollution
 The time of year
 The thickness of the cloud layer
 The time

INSTALLATION
 IEC60364-6 requires initial and periodic verifications of electrical installations.
 Position of the panels
 Installation type
 Electrical equipment’s selection

CABLES AND CONNECTIONS

a. IEC 62852, 1.1 Edition, March 2020 - Connectors for DC-application in photovoltaic
systems – Safety requirements and tests
 connectors for use in the d.c. circuits of photovoltaic systems according to class II
of IEC 61140:2001 with rated voltages up to 1 500 V d.c. and rated currents up to
125 A per contact.
b. IEC 62790:2014 -Junction boxes for photovoltaic modules - Safety requirements and
tests
 safety requirements, constructional requirements and tests for junction boxes up
to 1 500 V dc for use on photovoltaic modules according to class II of IEC
61140:2001.
MODULES
1. Crystalline silicon modules
 Mono-crystalline modules are currently best in terms of performance, with
efficiency
of 16 – 18%.
 Multi-crystalline modules efficiency is between 12 and 14%. They are more
commonly used, especially in the residential and service sectors.

2. Thin film modules

 thin film modules efficiency levels of 6 to 8%.

a. IEC standard specifies a power variation of ±3%. Modules with typical power of 160 Wp
include all modules with power of between 155 Wp (160 -3%) and 165 Wp (160 +3%).

b. IEC 61215-1:2016 lays down requirements for the design qualification and type approval
of terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules suitable for long-term operation in general open-
air climates, as defined in IEC 60721-2-1. This standard is intended to apply to all
terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as
thin-film modules.

INVERTERS
a. IEC 62109-1:2010 applies to the power conversion equipment (PCE) for use in
photovoltaic systems where a uniform technical level with respect to safety is necessary.
b. IEC 62109-2:2011 covers the particular safety requirements relevant to d.c. to a.c.
inverter products as well as products that have or perform inverter functions in addition to
other functions, where the inverter is intended for use in photovoltaic power systems.
c. IEC 61683:1999 describes guidelines for measuring the efficiency of power conditioners
used in stand-alone and utility-interactive photovoltaic systems, where the output of the
power conditioner is a stable a.c. voltage of constant frequency or a stable d.c. voltage.

How to ensure safety during normal operation?

IEC standard 60364 Part 7-712 sets out rules for ensuring that solar photovoltaic
power systems are safe

 Protection against overcurrent

IEC 60364-7-712 stipulates that PV systems whose maximum UOC MAX (UOC =Open
Circuit Voltage) is higher than 120V DC should use « double or reinforced insulation »
as a protection against electric shock.

 Cable protection
IEC 60364. Part 7-712 of the standard stipulates that all enclosures on the DC side should
meet the requirements of IEC 61439. This standard covers low voltage switchgear and
control gear assemblies and sets out requirements that guarantee the risk of temperature
rises has been factored into the safe design of DC boxes (generator and array boxes).

 Protection of PV modules against reverse current

PV module withstand capability should therefore be tested in accordance with IEC
61730-2 standard and the PV module manufacturer shall provide the maximum reverse current
value (IRM).

 Pollution degree of switchgear and enclosure selection

 In addition to the standard criteria for selecting enclosures in PV systems with UOC
MAX of 1000V, some equipment may show IEC 60947-1. If the switchgear is Pollution
Degree 2, the IP level of the enclosure according to IEC 60529 shall be at least IP5x.

Residential and other special locations

Related standards

Most countries have national regulations and-or standards governing the rules to be
strictly observed in the design and realization of electrical installations for residential and similar
premises

The power network

The vast majority of power distribution utilities connect the low voltage neutral point of
their MV/LV distribution transformers to earth.

RCDs are essential for TT and IT earthed installations. For TN installations, high speed
overcurrent devices or RCDs may provide protection against direct contact of the electrical
circuits. To extend the protection to flexible leads beyond the fixed socket outlets and to
ensure protection against fires of electrical origin RCDs shall be installed.

Distribution boards components

Distribution boards (generally only one in residential premises) usually include the
meter(s) and in some cases (notably where the supply utilities impose a TT earthing system
and/or tariff conditions which limit the maximum permitted current consumption) an
incoming supply differential circuit-breaker which includes an overcurrent trip.
Example of Italian residential installation

Protection of people

On TT systems, the protection of persons is ensured by the following measures:

 Protection against indirect contact hazards by RCDs (see Fig. Q7) of medium sensitivity

(300 mA) at the origin of the installation (incorporated in the incoming supply circuit
breaker or, on the incoming feed to the distribution board). This measure is associated
with a consumer installed earth electrode to which must be connected the protective earth
conductor (PE) from the exposed conductive parts of all class I insulated appliances and
equipment, as well as those from the earthing contact of all socket outlets
 When the CB at the origin of an installation has no RCD protection, the protection of
persons shall be ensured by double or reinforced insulation on all circuits upstream of the
first RCDs. In the case where the distribution board is metallic, care shall be taken that all
live parts are double insulated (supplementary clearances or insulation, use of covers,
etc.) and wiring reliably fixed
Circuits

Subdivision

National standards commonly recommend the subdivision of circuits according to the number of
utilization categories in the installation concerned (see Figure Q10):

 At least one lighting circuit, each circuit supplying several rooms for a maximum surface
of 50 m²,

 At least one socket-outlets circuit rated 16 A (rating according to National socket-outlet

system), each circuit supplying a reasonable number of socket-outlets in series, taking
into account the wiring cross-section area used (1.5 mm² or 2.5 mm²), the wiring lengths
(voltage drops) and the temperature rise effects on each connection, according to the
foreseeable applications used.
 One dedicated circuit for each "high load" appliance such as washing machine, dish-
washer, cooker etc. Water heater and fixed heater units shall be connected by terminals
(not socket-outlet neither connector).

Protective conductors

IEC 60364 and most national standards require implementation of protective conductor
for each circuit. This practice is mandatory where equipment provided for earthing (Class I) may
be connected or installed, and shall be seen as the general case for all circuits including circuits
supplying socket outlets.
Residential electrical installation - Protection against overvoltages and lightning

The choice of Surge Protective Devices as well as their installation rules are described in
chapter Overvoltage protection.

The three following main rules must be respected in particular:

1. It is imperative that the three lengths of cable used for the installation of the surge arrester
each be less than 50 cm i.e.:

 the live conductors connected to the isolating switch

 from the isolating switch to the surge protective device
 from the surge protective device to the main distribution board (MDB) earth bar (not to
be confused with the main protective-earth (PE) conductor or the main earth terminal for
the installation). The MDB earth bar must obviously be located in the same cabinet as the
surge protective device.
2. It is necessary to use an isolating switch of a type recommended by the manufacturer of the
surge protective device.

3. In the interest of a good continuity of supply it is recommended that the circuit breaker be of
the time-delayed or selective type.

2 Bathrooms and showers

Bathrooms and shower rooms are areas of high risk, because of the very low resistance of the
human body when wet or immersed in water. Precaution to be taken are therefore
correspondingly rigorous, and the regulations are more severe than those for most other
locations.

Precautions to observe are based on three aspects:

 The definition of zones, numbered 0, 1 and 2 in which the placement (or exclusion) of

any electrical device is strictly limited or forbidden and, where permitted, the electrical
and mechanical protection is prescribed
 The strict adherence to the requirements prescribed for each zone
  The establishment of an equipotential bond between all exposed and extraneous metal
parts in the zones concerned.

The IEC 60364-7-701 provides the specific requirements for the different zones defined
in classification of zones, applicable to the equipments, circuits ...

It is an international standard that has been achieved as a compromise between countries,

considering their existing national standards and regulations, thus it includes a significant
number of notes providing country specific requirements.