BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 - Low-voltage Switchgear and Controlgear

Introducing the BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021, a comprehensive standard that sets the benchmark for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear, specifically focusing on control circuit devices and switching elements. This standard is essential for professionals in the electrical engineering and automation industries, providing detailed guidelines and specifications for three-position enabling switches.

Overview of the Standard

The BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 standard is a crucial document for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of control circuit devices. Released on April 15, 2021, this standard encompasses 34 pages of in-depth information, making it an indispensable resource for engineers, designers, and technicians involved in the development and maintenance of electrical control systems.

Key Features

• Standard Number: BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021
• Pages: 34
• Release Date: April 15, 2021
• ISBN: 978 0 580 99111 0
• Status: Standard

What are Three-position Enabling Switches?

Three-position enabling switches are critical components in control systems, designed to enhance safety and operational control. These switches are typically used in applications where manual intervention is required to enable or disable machinery or processes. The three positions usually include:

• Off Position: The default state where the switch is not engaged, ensuring that the machinery or process remains inactive.
• On Position: The active state where the switch is engaged, allowing the machinery or process to operate.
• Intermediate Position: A safety feature that requires deliberate action to move from the off to the on position, preventing accidental activation.

Benefits of Compliance with BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021

Adhering to the BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 standard offers numerous advantages, including:

• Enhanced Safety: By following the guidelines set out in this standard, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and equipment malfunctions.
• Improved Reliability: The standard ensures that control circuit devices and switching elements are designed and tested to meet rigorous performance criteria, leading to more reliable operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with this standard helps organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements, avoiding potential fines and penalties.
• Increased Efficiency: By implementing standardized components and practices, businesses can streamline their operations, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 standard is designed for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Electrical Engineers: Those involved in the design and implementation of control systems will find this standard invaluable for ensuring their systems meet industry best practices.
• Automation Specialists: Professionals working with automated machinery and processes can use this standard to enhance the safety and efficiency of their systems.
• Maintenance Technicians: Those responsible for the upkeep of control systems can use the guidelines in this standard to ensure ongoing compliance and performance.
• Quality Assurance Teams: QA professionals can use this standard to verify that control circuit devices and switching elements meet the necessary quality and safety standards.

Conclusion

The BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 standard is an essential resource for anyone involved in the design, implementation, or maintenance of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear. By providing clear guidelines and specifications for three-position enabling switches, this standard helps ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of control systems across various industries.

Whether you are an engineer, technician, or quality assurance professional, the BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 standard is a valuable tool that can help you achieve compliance, improve safety, and enhance the performance of your control systems.

BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021

This standard BS EN IEC 60947-5-8:2021 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear is classified in these ICS categories:

• 29.130.20 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear

IEC 60947-5-8:2020 is available as IEC 60947-5-8:2020 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.

IEC 60947-5-8:2020 specifies requirements for three-position enabling switches. These switches are used as components of enabling devices to provide signals that, - when activated, allow machine operation to be initiated by a separate start control, and - when de-activated, -- initiate a stop function, and -- prevent initiation of machine operation. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: - due to the increasing range of useful applications of three-position enabling switches, note of scope, operational characteristics and tests are reviewed; - figures for example of devices incorporating enabling switch are added in Annex A; - new Annex B for procedure to determine reliability data for the switch used in functional safety applications is added.