Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Download Center / Electrical Engineering Books and Technical Guides / Power substation guides / Guidelines to the construction of a low voltage switchgear

LV switchgear and controlgear switchgear

An electrical assembly is a combination of more protection and switching devices, grouped together in one or more adjacent cases (column).

Guidelines to the construction of a low voltage switchgear
Guidelines to the construction of a low voltage switchgear (photo credit: infrafox.com)

In an assembly the following parts can be distinguished: a case, called enclosure by the Standards, (it has the function of support and mechanical protection of the housed components), and the electrical equipment, formed by the internal connections and by the incoming and outgoing terminals for the connections to the plant.

As all the components of an electrical system, also assemblies shall comply with the relevant product standard. As far as Standards are concerned, an evolution has occurred with the replacement of the former IEC 60439-1 with the Stds. IEC 61439-1 and IEC 61439-2.

These Standards apply to all the low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies (for which the rated voltage does not exceed 1000 V in case of a.c. or 1500 V in case of d.c.).

Single line diagram and switchboard front view with LV components
Single line diagram and switchboard front view with LV components

Throughout this document, the term assembly is used for a low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly.


This Technical Application Paper has the purpose of:

  1. Describing the main innovations and changes introduced in the new Standard as regards structure, definitions and contents (e.g.: methods of verification of assemblies and relevant application conditions), paying particular attention to the performance verifications as regards: temperature-rise limits, short-circuit withstand strength and dielectric properties;
  2. Giving a document which includes useful information for the realization and certification of LV assemblies in compliance with the Standards IEC 61439.

This document is divided into 7 main parts

  1. Introduction and description of the new Stds. IEC 61439;
  2. Definition of the rated electrical characteristics, of IP and IK degrees and of the forms of internal separation for an assembly;
  3. Standard prescriptions as regards: temperature-rise, short-circuit withstand strength and dielectric properties (clearance or creepage distances);
  4. Prescriptions for the protection against direct and indirect contact;
  5. Instructions for construction, handling, transport and final installation of assemblies;
  6. Properties and performances (design verifications) of assemblies and a guide for the carrying out of routine verifications (assembly type-approval);
  7. An example of choice of products (circuit-breakers, conductors, distribution system, busbars and structure) for the construction of ArTu assemblies.

In an assembly the following parts can be distinguished: a case, called enclosure by the Standards, (it has the function of support and mechanical protection of the housed components), and the electrical equipment, formed by the internal connections and by the incoming and outgoing terminals for the connections to the plant).

Such system shall be assembled in order to meet the safety requirements and satisfy as much as possible the functions for which it has been designed.

Title:Guidelines to the construction of a low-voltage assembly (complying with the Standards IEC 61439 Part 1 and Part 2) – ABB
Format:PDF
Size:1.75 MB
Pages:84
Download:Right here | Video Courses | Membership | Download Updates
Technical Application Paper - Guidelines to the construction of a low-voltage assembly complying with the Standards IEC 61439 Part 1 and Part 2
Technical Application Paper – Guidelines to the construction of a low-voltage assembly complying with the Standards IEC 61439 Part 1 and Part 2

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, advanced electrical engineering guides, papers, and much more! It will help you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
50% Discount đź’Ą - Save 50% on all 90+ video courses with Enterprise Membership plan.

More Information

5 Comments


  1. harischandra Bhaurao shinde
    Feb 08, 2021

    electrical panel draw[mg software


  2. Julius Parody
    Sep 15, 2017

    I am retired electrical engineer


  3. Sadashiv Balappa Halbhavi
    Mar 08, 2016

    Dear All
    Thanking you very much for your uploading technical articals. Articals are the very useful to everyone.Are useful for teachers like me to provide the practical aspect of the theory what they study from the curriculum


  4. Manohar Nadkar
    Mar 15, 2015

    Dear All
    Thanking you very much for your uploading technical articals. Aerticals are the very useful to everyone.
    I need Panels/DBs costing software, where i get free/paid, pls help.
    thanking you again,
    Manohar Nadkar


    • Ashok
      Mar 15, 2015

      Manohar please connect with me. Ashok 9910033207

Leave a Reply to Julius Parody

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

forty nine  ⁄    =  seven

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge