202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Menu Q [Search for articles, softwar ES Ss + Home | — schnical Articles Engincering Guides LECTRICAL ENGINEERING PORTAL- * PLC Training 4 Low Voltage Switchboard Partitioning Forms Defined By IEC 61439-2 4 Low Voltage Switchboard Partitioning Levels Defined By IEC 61439-2 (photo credit: rgm.crit) Reasons for partitioning // ‘There are 4 main reasons for partitioning a switchboard. 1. To protect persons against direct contact with dangerous parts. ‘The minimum degree of protection must be IPXXB. 2. To protect the switchboard against the penetration of solid foreign bodies The minimum degree of protection must be IP2X. 3. To limit the propagation of an electric arc inside the switchboard by separating the busbars, equipment and connections, hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 8202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP 4, To facilitate maintenance operations or switchboard upgrades, Partitioning rules are defined in standard TEC 61439-2, ‘The definition of partitioning depends on conditions of use, maintenance and upgrade of the switchboard. This definition is subject to agreement between the switchboard manufacturer and the end user. It is based on three essential points: 1, Use products or components that comply with the standard, the various configurations of which have been tried and tested, 2. Comply with rules and guidelines laid down by the various manufacturer documents especially pertaining to choice and protection, 3, Conduct clearance, bonding continuity with a final inspection recorded in a contract document. Full compliance with these recommendations can be validated by a compliance certificate, ‘The standard defines 4 partitioning levels (forms) to ensure the protection of persons against direct contact. The form is a solution provided to an IP protection requirement and a client need (Operation, Maintenance, Upgrade). © Separation Form © Separation Form 2 (2a, 24 Separation Form 3 (3a, 3b) * Separation Form 4 (4a, 4b) ‘No separation inside the switchboard. Form 1 partitioning of switchboard Protection of people and equipment is provided from the onset by: * The presence of front plates that can only be opened by a specific tool, * The locking of doors that give access to live parts, + The systematic installation of terminal covers on the Compact NSX circuit-breakers, as well as on the Interpact INS and INV switches (NSX, INS and INV are Schneider Electric's devices) * The covering of the upstream and downstteam pads of the incoming device, to ensute the operator's safety at all points of the switchboard when the device is open. 10 back to Index 1 hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 218202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Covering of incoming power B suppiyod — c Ay Lt Hokie A = Incoming device Main busbar C = Distribution busbar D = Outgoing device Terminals for external conductors F = Enclosure IP2X minimum Covering of he incoming lateral busbar Separation Form 2 // Separation of busbars and functional units inside the switchboard: * Protection of persons against contact with live parts upstream of outgoing devices, = Protection against ingress of solid foreign bodies. Form 2 partitioning of switchboard ‘There are two variants of form 2: Form 2b provides more safety than form 2a, since the connection terminals are separated from the busbars. Form 2a ‘Terminals for external conductors are not separated from the busbars. Form 2a Form 2b ‘Terminals for external conductors are separated from the busbars. Form 2b hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 a202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Go back to Index f Partitioning of the horizontal busbar Separation Form 3 // Form 2 + Separation inside the switchboard of all functional units: * Protection of persons against contact with live parts upstream of outgoing devices, * Limitation of the risk of faults berween each of the functional units (propagation of electric ares) Frontand rear barrie: Partitioning of the vertical busbar Form 3 partitioning of switchboard — ‘There are two variants of form 3: Form 3b provides more safety than form 3a, since the connection terminals are separated from the busbars. Form 3a ‘Terminals for external conductors are not separated from the busbars, Form 3a Form 3b ‘Terminals for external conductors are separated from the busbars, Form 3b hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 48202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Separation form 4 // Form 3 + Separation inside the switchboard of terminals for external conductors that are an integral part of each functional unit: ‘Protection of persons against contact with live parts upstream of outgoing devices, ‘© Limitation of the risk of faults between each of the functional units (propagation of electric arcs) Partitioning of Functional Units Form 4 partitioning of switchboard ‘There are two variants of form 4: To it the cubicle with gland plates to create form 4a or to cover the connection pad of outgoing devices to create a form 4b. Form 4a ‘Terminals for external conductors are in the same cubicle as the functional unit with which they are associated. Form 4a hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 58202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP — Form 4b ‘Yerminals for extetnal conductors are not in the same cubicle as the functional unit with which they are associated, but in protected spaces of individual compartments that are separated and closed. i — Form 4b 10 back to Index } Good Practice Tips // Partitioning may be obtained by insulating the live parts: + Using separators, metal barriers, front plates, covers of terminal shields, + By using devices with molded cases. ‘The entire switchboard must have a degree of protection of IP2X in accordance with IEC 61439-1 and 2. If using metal battiers, make sure that clearances are complied with. Putting partitions in a switchboard reduces heat dissipation of the switchboard. It is therefore important to take this into account when defining the heat management solution for the switchboard. For example form 4 switchboard dissipates less heat than a form 1 un-partitioned switchboard. Barriers must be robust enough to ensure that a possible mechanical stress on these components (reduction in clearance distance, or even accidental contact with live parts) does not cause an accident. Form 2 configuration — the busbars are separated hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 a8202017 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Covering of outgoing device Gland plates connection pad from the devices the form. Warning label (“do not walk” and “electrical hazard” symbol) Reference | How to assemble an electrical switchboard — Technical guide by Scbmeider Electric (Download guide Related electrical guides & articles // SEARCH: Articles, software & guides // ‘Search electrical termiphra_| { Search hiipeleccal-onginesring portal com4-Low-vltage- switchboard prteringforms-deined-by-oc-61498-284 If a busbar is installed at the bottom of the switchboard, you must use a form 2 to protect it from the possible drop of a metal object. Remember to stick a warning label (“do not walk” and “electrical hazard” symbol) on the top of 718202017 Dorot walle hiipeloccal-ongineering-prtal con4-Low-vltage- switchboard parteringforms-defined-by-oc-61498-284 ‘Blectrical hazard" 4 Lom Voltage Switchboard Partoning Forms Defined By IEC 61409-2| EEP Sharpen up your knowledge // Want to be a better electrical engineer? Subscribe to professional technical articles. Sharpen up your knowledge in field of electrical engineering now! Option 1 : $15.00 USD - monthly ¥ About Author // Edvard Csanyi Edvard - Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EER. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switehgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming, Present on Google © 2017 EEP - Blectrical Engineering Portal. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | 37 queries in 0.095 seconds. Energy & Power For All! SHARE, TOP Get PDE