The panel assembles

Incredible as it seems, there has remained a gaping loophole in the standards applied to all sorts of electrical assemblies, including critical electrical distribution panels.

The existing IEC 60439 standard has so many shortcomings that it is a wonder anything could be certificated.

In some cases, assemblies were subject to type testing or part-type testing, but in other cases, there has been no assurance available for the beleaguered end-users.

Finally a lead has been taken and the IEC, induced by lobbying from the likes of my own company, Schneider Electric, has formulated a new series of standards under the overarching IEC 61439. Indeed, a single digit change has actually heralded a radical shift in the manner in which assemblies are verified and certificated, with an emphasis on the responsibility of assembly manufacturers.

The new IEC 61439 will ensure that it is no longer acceptable to provide an assembly without a full design being proven.

Equally, it is not acceptable to make indiscriminate substitutions of one component or product for another without stringent assurances.

Provided panel builders partner with responsible suppliers, they will have no difficulty in achieving certification.

In short, the whole electrical assembly industry is to be much more tightly regulated, which for safety’s sake we wholeheartedly endorse.

Mark A Waters, Marketing manager - panel builders, Schneider Electric, Shropshire