1. Mr. Harethe El Ouadhane
IEC member for IEC MT14. |Infrastructure Business | Germany | Test Engineer & Expert (Internal Arc, Making, Breaking & STC) / Network & Pressure Calculation

2. IEC High-voltage alternating-current circuit-breakers Taiwan-European HVAC apparatuses Accreditation and Certification forum
Harethe El Ouadhane
IEC Expert: Member of MT14 of IEC
Testing, design & calculation / MVSG & MVCB
Expert for internal arc, making, breaking and STC

3. Content Introduction Type Tests ISO 17025 Routine Tests ISO 9001
Extension of the validity of test results and derivations
Safety
Conclusion

4. 1. Introduction History of the IEC 62271-100
First and second Edition of IEC 56 in 1937 and 1954, dealing only with rules for short- circuit conditions
Third Edition of 1971 split in 6 parts. Part No. 4 dealing with Type Tests and Routine Tests.
First specification of mechanical tests, tests on insulation properties, tests on auxiliary and control circuits and temperature rise tests
Edition 4 of 1987 including, among others, out-of-phase specifications, restriking performance for capacitive current switching tests and increasing of mechanical operations from 1000 to 2000.
The common requirements for HV switching equipment (CB, disconnector, earthing switch, switchgear, etc.) were published as separate standard in 1980 in IEC 694 (Nowadays IEC ).
Only specific requirements for HV a.c. CB remained in IEC 56.

5. 1. Introduction
Next revision, published as IEC in 2001, including among others:
Classification of mechanical, electrical endurance and restrike behavior at capacitive switching
Limitation on number of test specimen for type tests
Critical current tests, single-phase and double-earth fault tests
Second valid Edition of IEC in 2008 with the major changes of harmonization between IEC and IEEE on TRV wave shapes 100kV and above, distinction between cable and line systems with the specific TRVs below 100kV.
Currently valid Edition 2.1 of 2012 consolidating with Amendment 1

6. 1. Introduction
Scope of IEC This part of IEC is applicable to a.c. circuit-breakers designed for indoor or outdoor installation and for operation at frequencies of 50 Hz and 60 Hz on systems having voltages above 1000 V.
Normal and special service conditions
Definition
Ratings: Rated characteristics to be given for all circuit-breakers / on request
Design and construction
Type tests
Routine tests
Guide to the selection of circuit-breakers for service
Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders
Rules for transport, storage, installation, operation and maintenance
Safety
Influence of the product on the environment

7. 2. Type tests
Purpose Type tests are for the purpose of proving the ratings and characteristics of switchgear and controlgear, their operating devices and their auxiliary equipment. A High level of safety and reliability are proved by type tests and additional tests performed under worst case test parameters and arrangements according the standards.
Mandatory Tests

8. 3. ISO 17025
Purpose The purpose of this accreditation standard is to ensure a highest level of testing Labs in terms of test and measurement systems, testing personnel, procedures and test documentation. This standard do not deal with safety issues
Type tests or generally tests performed according the IEC standards in Test labs with ISO17025 accreditation have a highest level of reliability and accuracy

9. 4. Routine tests
Purpose The routine tests are for the purpose of revealing faults in material or construction. They do not impair the properties and reliability of a test object. The routine tests shall be made wherever reasonably practicable at the manufacturer's works on each apparatus manufactured, to ensure that the product is in accordance with the equipment on which the type tests have been passed.
By agreement, any routine test may be made on site.
The routine tests given in this standard comprise a) dielectric test on the main circuit in accordance with 7.1; b) tests on auxiliary and control circuits in accordance with 7.2; c) measurement of the resistance of the main circuit in accordance with 7.3; d) tightness test in accordance with 7.4; e) design and visual checks in accordance with 7.5.

10. 5. ISO 9001
Purpose The purpose of this accreditation standard is to ensure a highest level of factory testing results in terms of procedures and processes. This standard do not deal with safety issues or measurement accuracy. The calibration requirements are defined in the ISO17025
Routine tests or generally customized tests performed according the IEC standards in factories with ISO9001 accreditation ensure a highest level of quality and accordance to the type tested samples.

11. 6. Extension of the validity of test results and derivations
Circuit-breakers which have satisfactorily completed type tests for a combination of rated values (i.e. voltage, normal current, making and/or breaking current) are suitable for any lower rated values (with the exception of rated frequency) without further testing.
When circuit-breakers rated 50 Hz are tested at 60 Hz and vice versa, care should be exercised in the interpretation of the test results, taking into account all significant facts such as the type of circuit-breaker and the type of test performed. For some test duties Tests done with 50Hz can be extended to 60Hz (e.g. breaking or Temperature rise under given performances) and vice versa some test duties performed with 60Hz can be extended to 50Hz (e.g. STC, Making, Temperature rise)
The informativ guide IEC which will appear on August 2014 will better define the main rules how to extend test results and derivate news between similar designs.

12. 7. Safety
High-voltage switchgear and controlgear can be considered safe when installed in accordance with the relevant installation rules including those provided by the manufacturers and used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
High-voltage switchgear and controlgear is normally only accessible by instructed persons. It shall be operated and maintained by skilled persons. When unrestricted access is available to distribution switchgear and controlgear, additional safety features may be required.
High-voltage switchgear in accordance with IEC offers a high level of safety

13. 8. Conclusion
The design and technology of high-voltage circuit-breakers is continuously developing and will continue also in the future.
The required type tests demonstrate the circuit-breaker capability for installation and operation under various network conditions while the routine tests ensure that the manufactured product is in accordance with the equipment on which the type tests have been passed.
These conditions are based on the past and present experience of utilities and industries, and so conform to their needs and specifications.
Most of the failures are due to inappropriate human behaviors either during the project management phase (wrong product definition) or during operations (installation, operation, maintenance, etc.)
Thus, considering additional regulation should not bring more safety

14. 8. Conclusion
IEC :
“Standards should be written fit for purpose, i.e. they should reflect general system requirements to ensure that the installed equipment works properly. Although it is recognized that not 100% of all conditions occurring in service can be covered, long term experience with high-voltage switchgear standards shows that system conditions are generally covered adequately.”

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