DOES YOUR CURRENT CHANGEOVER SYSTEM COMPLY WITH IEC 947-6-1?

THE LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCHING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON EMERGENCY POWER TRANSFER SYSTEMS Introduction
The low voltage directive was implemented to harmonise standards throughout Europe. The section within this directive that relates to control gear and switchgear is IEC 947. This document consists of the following individual standards that must be complied with to obtain the CE mark on individual components : Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. General rules. Circuit breakers. Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse combination units. Contactors and motor - starters. Section 1 - Electromechanical contactors and motor - starters. Control circuit devices and switching elements. Section 1 - Electromechanical control circuit devices. Section 2 - Proximity switches. Multiple function equipment. Section 1 - Automatic transfer switching equipment. Ancillary equipment. Section 1 - Terminal blocks and copper conductors.

Part 6. Part 7.

This standard is now well understood and it is generally assumed that building a complete switchboard or system from individual CE marked components will constitute a complete CE approved system. This is correct in all cases other than emergency power transfer systems or ATSE , which is a sub-assembly and has a separate section within the standard.

Automatic Transfer Switching Equipment

The section of IEC 947 that is concerned with emergency power systems is highlighted above i.e. IEC 947, Part 6, section 1

Automatic transfer switching equipment ( ATSE )

Defined as : - " Self acting equipment containing the transfer switch device(s) and other necessary devices for monitoring supply circuits and transferring one or more load circuits from one supply to another. " ( The above definition would have previously been known as a transfer or changeover scheme. )

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Since the introduction of IEC 60947 any items used for the purpose of power transfer must comply with IEC 947-6-1 and be clearly labelled as such. To obtain compliance with IEC 947-6-1 a specific test regime must be adhered to. In the case of Contactors and Circuit Breakers a different test regime is required by IEC 947. e.g. : IEC 947-4-1 ( Contactors ) IEC 947-2 ( Circuit Breaker)

The above devices (if used in a transfer scheme) need not be re-tested if their individual test regime is at least as arduous as that of IEC 947-6-1 but even then some special requirements are specified for ATSE duty : e.g. :"Contactors shall comply with the following utilisation categories (IEC 947-4-1)". 1) For ATSE with contact transfer time of 50ms or less : AC-4

2) For ATSE with contact transfer time longer than 50ms : AC-3

Testing to comply with IEC 947-6-1

The testing regime for different devices used as an ATSE will depend upon the classification and utilisation category : Class PC : ATSE that is capable of making and withstanding, but is not intended for breaking short-circuit currents. Class CB : ATSE provided with over current releases and the main contacts of which are capable of making and are intended for breaking short-circuit currents. Utilisation Category A: ATSE intended for frequent operations. Utilisation Category B: ATSE intended for infrequent operations. Taking into consideration Class and Utilisation Category, a number of tests must be carried out on the complete transfer system to establish performance :No of operations (on load and off) Overload performance Short-circuit performance ( make , break + withstand ) Over voltage performance Dielectric properties Temperature rise Once these tests have been successfully completed the device can be labelled IEC 947-6-1. Labels shall clearly state : -

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a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

The manufacturers name or trade mark. Type designation or serial number. Number of this standard if the manufacturer claims compliance. Class of equipment : PC or CB. Rated operational voltage(s). Utilisation category : A or B. Rated frequency. Rated short-circuit making capacity for Class PC and rated short-time withstand current where applicable. i) Rated conditional short-circuit current where applicable.

Conclusion
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the complete transfer system or ATSE to ensure compliance with IEC 947-6-1. A transfer scheme put together by an assembler does not comply with the requirements of IEC 947-6-1 unless it has been tested to IEC 947-6-1 as a complete assembly and is labelled as such. The EMC Directive became EEC Law on 1st January 1996, any Automatic Transfer Switching equipment installed in and manufactured for the EEC market after that date must fully comply with its technical requirements.

EEC Requirements: Low Voltage Directive: 73/23/EEC EMC Directive: 89/336/EEC CE Marking Directive: 93/68/EEC Applicable Standards: EN60364 Electrical Installations of Buildings EN60947 Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear
For further details please contact: ASCO Power Technologies Limited Fourth Avenue Globe Park Marlow Buckinghamshire. SL7 1YG Tel: 01628-403872 Fax: 01628-403867

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