Kelly Butler, BEAMA's Marketing Director and George Sutton the organisation's LV Switchboard Technical Committee Chair, explain how market needs have primarily prompted the change from IEC 60439 to IEC 61439:
Whatever the electrical installation in whichever sector, its quality is paramount. Significantly, therefore, developers and building system designers have placed considerable emphasis on improving the quality of the built environment of modern structures.
This, in turn, has prompted changes in the scope and control of low voltage (LV) switchgear and controlgear assemblies and their systems. As a result, market needs have required a review of prevailing international standards - the BSEN 60439 standard is a notable example.
BEAMA and its member companies have a close working relationship with the specialist building services organisations and are well positioned to recognise the changing requirements and the benefits that would follow from a more relevant Standard. Technical experts from BEAMA's Engineered Systems Product Group (ESPG) have considerable experience in the field, and in providing specification support to their clients, played a major role is the development of the new Standard. Through the association's involvement with BSI and other organisations, it was proposed that the international standard be restructured to encompass changing market requirements.
A new series:
Because of the broad spectrum of client requirements for manufactured systems, a single standard was not considered appropriate, as it did not reflect market dynamics and particular bespoke quality control requirements. Consequently, a format linking all LV assemblies in a new series of standards has now been agreed, with each distinct product group having a bespoke product standard.
Where more than one of the different product standards had a common requirement, a common rule was evolved. These common requirements are now published in the General Rules document, given the title Part 1 of the 61439 series. It should be noted that Part 1 is not a product standard and, therefore, should not be considered as such.
Early this year saw the IEC publish the first two parts:
- Part 1: The General Rules 61439-1,
- Part 2: Power Switchgear and Controlgear Assemblies 61439-2.
The harmonised BSEN documents are due shortly for Parts 1 and 2, and the next few years will see a steady release of all the other Parts of the series. Until published, they retain the existing Standards and use 60439-1 as required.
Obligation for manufacturers:
The headline change to the new standards is the requirement for the performance of every assembly to be demonstrated at design and manufacturing stages. This will be through a combination of stringent defined verification processes (proving tests, inspection, design rules and/or calculation).
The design performance of assemblies is now determined by a verification process, assessing key performance parameters including circuit ratings, diversity, temperature rise, impulse ratings and short circuit ratings. The overall benefit is that specified performance for each and every application is assured.
Obligation for consultancies and specifiers:
M&E Consultancies and specifiers (eg facilities managers) will need to amend specification documentation and tendering requirements to reflect this change in the standards.
Requesting details of verification is a sure way of determining whether products are compliant with the new standards, and thereby reliable and safe in service. BEAMA members, as pioneers of the new standards, will be best positioned to provide products verified to the new standards. As performance is paramount, standards conformity must be top of the specifier wish list.
Biggest change for 50 years:
Having championed - and then driven - these revisions for a decade, the new standards constitute the most significant change in this area of standards for half a century.
Reflecting the complexity and diversity of clients' equipment requirements, they address the need for a method to verify the design of application specific assemblies. The headline change is the requirement for the performance of every assembly to be demonstrated at design and manufacturing stages. That is through a combination of stringent verification processes - proving tests, inspection, design rules etc.
A guide:
BEAMA's installation sector members have published a guide to assist clients and specifiers in the use of Part 2. For a free download visit: www.beama.org.uk It includes a table identifying other product groups and their proposed part numbers in the 61439 series.
About BEAMA:
The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) has been established for over 100 years, covering a range of industries in the electrical, energy, water and power related sectors. It represents directly some 150 companies in the UK electrotechnical and allied manufacturing industries.
Its membership includes the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) - the representative body for the commercial kitchen equipment sector, representing over 130 member companies.
Also, BEAMA is closely affiliated to the Lighting Industry Federation (LIF), which as the lighting industry's trade association, promotes and develops the UK lighting market for the long-term benefit of its members and stakeholders. BEAMA still retains its prime purpose - serving members and the national industrial base as the recognised electrotechnical industry association. BEAMA represents members' interests in generic anId specific areas within Government/Governmental organisations, UK and international standards,industry players.
BEAMA members are active in many market sectors including commercial and residential buildings and energy networks. BEAMA is a proactive trade association advising its members on relevant technology and market developments, particularly relating to the areas of product safety and sustainability.