With IEC 61439, Assure Thermal Stability and Reliability in Low Voltage Electric Switchboards
As detailed in the first post in this series, the main reason for following IEC 61439 is that doing so ensures quality of low voltage electric switchboards, panels and assemblies. That is why the standard is being adopted by more and more countries. It is also why analysts are saying it is imperative that switchgears are from makers and specifiers in Southeast Asia conform to IEC 61439. Previous posts in this series have shown how the standard applies to the testing of protection devices , creepage and clearance distances , insulating materials , and withstand voltage . Here, I’m covering thermal stability and reliability. The ability of an assembly to manage heat and keep working reliably is crucial. The reference of external temperature around an assembly in the IEC 61439 is 35 o C. That happens to be about the average high temperature for Mumbai in May and October . Added to that is the power dissipated by the busbars, electrical equipment and other components in an assembly. ...