Guide to Low Voltage Panel Separation

Introduction

When installing our custom industrial control systems, EN60439-1 makes reference to the 'Internal separation of ASSEMBLIES by barriers, or partitions', under Clause 7.7

This clause concerns methods of separating busbars, and 'functional units', from one another. This may be achieved either by fitting barriers between the units or by mounting them in separate compartments.

Form 1

No separation.

 

Form 2a

Separation of the busbars from the functional units, with terminals for external conductors not separated from the busbars.

Form 2b

Separation of the busbars from the functional units, with terminals for external conductors separated from the busbars.

Form 3a

Separation of busbars from the functional units, and separation of all functional units from one another. Separation of the terminals, for external conductors, from the functional units, but not from each other. Terminals for external conductors not separated from busbars

Form 3b

Separation of busbars from the functional units, and separation of all functional units from one another. Separation of the terminals, for external conductors, from the functional units, but not from each other. Terminals for external conductors separated from busbars.

Form 4

Separation of busbars from the functional units, and separation of all functional units from one another, including the terminals for external conductors which are an integral part of the functional unit.

Type 1

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit. Busbar separation is achieved by insulated coverings, eg. Sleeving, wrapping or coatings. Cables may be glanded elsewhere.

Type 2

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit. Busbar separation is achieved by metallic, or non-metallic, rigid barriers, or partitions. Cables may be glanded elsewhere.

Type 3

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit. Busbar separation is achieved by insulated coverings, eg. Sleeving, wrapping, or coatings. The termination for each functional unit has its own integral glanding facility.

Type 4

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit, but in individual, separate, enclosed protected spaces, or compartments. Busbar separation is achieved by insulated coverings, eg. Sleeving, wrapping or coatings. Cables may be glanded elsewhere.

Type 5

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit, but in individual, separate, enclosed protected spaces, or compartments. Busbar separation is achieved by metallic, or non-metallic, rigid barriers, or partitions. Terminals may be separated by insulated coverings, and glanded in common cabling chambers.

Type 6

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit, but in individual, separate, enclosed protected spaces, or compartments. All separation is by metallic or non-metallic, rigid barriers, or partitions. Cables are glanded in common cabling chamber.

Type 7

Terminals for external conductors located in the same compartment as the associated functional unit, but in individual separate, enclosed protected spaces, or compartments. All separation is by metallic, or non-metallic, rigid barriers, or partitions. The termination for each functional unit has its own integral glanding facility.

Note: These forms of separation are not relevant to arc fault containment which is not the subject of this specification, and would be subject to agreement between the manufacturer, and the client.