Switchgear Safety Aspects
Switchgear Safety Aspects
Switchgear Safety Aspects
Safety aspects
Content
5
MNS
safety level
IEC 61439-1
Level of application
Design verification
operators advantage
Design verification
of an assembly into:
design verification (acc. paragraph 10)
DESIGN FERIFICATION
live parts.
The sole purpose of this test is to assess the ability to the assembly
to limit the risk of personal injury resulting from an internal arcing fault.
It is intended to amend IEC 61641 to cover plant protection, too.
Currently only VDE 0660 part 500 (draft 2001 March) supplementary
sheet 2, already gives a testing guideline to limit the risk of a damage
of the planti.
Priority 2
IEC
n Busbars
n Distribution bars
n Functional units
of distribution bars.
Busbars
hazardous parts
Sealed connections
Busbar
n Fastening
n Connections
connections.
IEC
Subject
Main busbars
SCPD
Subject
IEC
MNS Standard:
Minimum required:
n Between busbars
Required clearance:
14 mm minimum
between busbars
Required distance minimum 14 mm
at Rated Insulation Voltage = 1000 V
Creepage distances
Clearance
Creepage distance
Conductor
Conductor
Insulation material
Whether parts (of the assembly), which may cause a hazard, do not fly off.
Whether arcing does not cause holes to develop in the freely accessible external parts of the enclosure as a result of
paint or stickers burning or other effects.
Whether the indicators arranged vertically do not ignite (indicators ignited as a result of paint or stickers burning are
excluded from this assessment).
Whether the equipotential bonding arrangement for accessible parts of the enclosure is still effective.
The arc must be limited to the defined area and must not re-ignite in the adjacent areas.
An emergency operation of the switchgear and control gear assembly must be possible when the fault has been
repaired and/or the functional units of the defined area have been isolated or removed. This requirement must be
evidenced by an insulation test carried out at 1.5 times the rated operating voltage for 1 min.
b
Note:
Ignition point a
Outgoing side of the SCPD of the withdrawable module
(fuse or MCCB short circuit limiting breaker). The power is
switched off within the breaking time of the SCPD of 300 ms.
In tests the time was between 2 -10 ms. The arc is self
extinguishing. The switchboard remains in operation.
Ignition point b
Incoming side of the SCPD of the withdrawable module
(short circuit current not limited by the SCPD). The components are tested to resist an arc fault duration of 300 ms.
The fault arc extinguishes automatically.
Ignition point c
Distribution bars embedded in the multifunction wall
The components are tested to resist an arc fault duration of
300 ms. The fault arc extinguishes automatically.
Ignition point d
Incomer cubicle before the ACB
The time for the duration of the fault arc is limited by the
test set up (source) to 300 ms. To reduce damage, MNS is
designed as follows:
Case d1)
Type tests have confirmed following philosophy:
There is no fault arc barrier between the incoming and
outgoing contacts of the ACB. An fault arc ignited on the
incoming side (not protected side) of the ACB moves to the
outgoing side (protected side) of the ACB. The current is
fast switched off by the ACB within adjusted tripping time
(less than 300 ms) of the ACB. The fault arc is automatically
extinguishing. The damage is kept on a low level.
Case d2)
The fault arc is not limited by the ACB. The fault arc ignited
on the incoming side (not protected side) of the ACB. The fault
arc is inhibited to move to the outgoing side (protected side)
of the ACB. The components resist the fault arc at a duration
of 300 ms. The current is switched off by the test setup after
300 ms. The fault arc is automatically extinguishing.
Ignition point e
Main busbars
Case e1)
Fully insulated busbars, no root point: it is not possible to
ignite an arc fault.
Case e2)
During this test the tripping device in the incomer cubicle
is mechanical prevented to trip. The fault arc runs to the end
of the busbars. The power switches off after max 300 ms.
The fault arc extinguishes automatically at the end of the
switchgear.
Case e3)
During this test the ACB in the incomer cubicle is limiting
the short circuit current. The current is fast switched off by
the ACB within the adjusted tripping time of the ACB in less
than 300 ms. The fault arc is automatically extinguishing.
The damage is kept on a low level.
Degrees of protection
The degree of protection provided by any assembly against
contact with live parts, ingress of solid foreign bodies and liquid
is indicated by the designation IP... according to IEC 60529
(IEC 61439-1 paragraph 8.2.2). The degree of protection is also
a criteria for design verification (IEC 61439-1 paragraph 10.3).
It is subject to agreement between the manufacturer and user
(IEC 61439-1 annex C).
Definitions
Degrees of protection provided by enclosures of electrical
equipment in accordance with IEC 60529:
1. Protection of persons against access to hazardous parts
inside the enclosure;
2. Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against
ingress of solid foreign objects;
3. Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against
harmful effects due to the ingress of water.
IP 3 1 D
Code letters
Additional letter
Remark
International Protection
(optional)
Where a characteristic
Ventilated
Ventilation grids in doors, covers and roof plate
IP30
IP40
IP31
IP41
IP32
IP42
IP54
Maximum heat dissipation
DEGREES OF PROTECTION
Protection of equipment
Protection of persons
12.5 mm diameter
Finger
2.5 mm diameter
Tool
1.0 mm diameter
Wire
Dust-protected
Wire
No protection
Internal separation
Internal separation
The internal separation is subject to agreement between the
manufacturer and user (IEC 61439-1 annex C Internal separation
of assemblies by barriers or partitions). Assemblies are divided by
Aim:
Whenever access to a functional unit is required (for
extensions or maintenance), it should be possible without
de-energizing the entire low voltage assembly.
Solution:
The internal separation increases the safety for the
personnel and the plant. Protection against direct contact
can be obtained by appropriate constructional measures
on the assembly itself. The risk to cause an internal arc
failure is minimized.
Forms of separation
Form 1
Form 2b
Form 4a
Form 3b
No separation
Form 4b
separation
Internal
Form 4b
Separation of terminals for external conductors
from the functional units: Forms 3b, 4b
Separation of all functional units from another: Forms 4a, 3b, 4b
Separation of usbars including distribution bars from the functional units and terminals for
external conductors: Forms 2b, 4a, 3b, 4b
No protection
persons
Protection of
open
protection
equipment
Protection of
INTERNAL SEPARATION
MNS solution
Form 1
Form 2b
Form 4a
Form 3b
Form 4b
On behalf of safety,
In addition MNS
MNS provides a
At MNS withdrawable
provides a separate
as form 4b.
direct connection to
external conductors
main busbars.
is isolated.
function wall.
Form 2b and 4a
Switchboards with functional units which are directly
connected to the main busbars, mainly used for
incomers, bus ties (coupling) and outgoing feeders.
Form 3b and 4b
For switchboards with withdrawable modules.
Standard execution
According to the standards listed above, the standard version
of MNS (when erected with floor connection, i.e. without any
additional reinforcement of the frame, the modules, etc.) is
resistant to stress caused by vibration and shock up to 0.7 g
(vertical, horizontal, diagonal).
The functional safety of the equipment, contacts and
connections in compliance with the standard is guaranteed
within MNS. For example, the screwed system connections
have been proven to resist continuous stress resulting from
vibration of excavators or on ships, providing the
recommended maintenance intervals are observed.
Individual solutions
In the event of additional requirements concerning the
earthquake resistance of a plant in individual cases, the
following data must be provided for project engineering and,
if necessary, testing a specifically adjusted plant design:
the stress to be expected in the place of erection;
the acceleration to be expected in the event of
an earthquake;
the frequency range and the response range of
the building.
These increased demands can be met, e.g.:
by installing the system on shock absorbers
or alternatively;
by using shock-proof equipment;
by reinforcing the frame, the enclosure and
other system parts.
1TGC 900009B0201
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