13.2 National and International Standards

Most countries have produced their own National Standards for switchgear. For example, the British Standards Institute has a standard covering a.c. circuit breakers. In addition, some 22 countries have taken an active part in producing an International Standard covering the same equipment and voltage range, under the auspices of the International Electrotechnical Commission, known as the IEC, which is based in Geneva. In addition, end-user standards such as the Electricity Association Technical Standard EATS41-36, Distribution switchgear for service up to 36 kV (cable & overhead conductor connected), issue 1, 2000 , which defines the specific requirements of the UK, add to the International Electrotechnical Commission standards, those requirements which are seen as being necessary in the UK. The complete list of reference standards relating to switchgear is formidable but the most important are listed in Chapter 18.

Other switching equipment, such as contactors, earth switches, disconnectors and fuse-switch combinations, have their own specific standards. These also share some related standards with circuit breakers. These shared requirements are published in an IEC Common clauses document.

It should be noted that all standards, including those produced by the IEC and Electricity Association are all under consideration for modification at any time. It is, therefore, very important to ensure that the latest edition is used.