IEEE C37.59-2002

Conversion of switchgear is a relatively new and rapidly expanding practice which has limited guidance from existing industry standards. Designers and manufacturers of these conversions as well as those contrafting for the conversions may have limited design knowledge and there is a strong need for guidance which reflects both the evolving technology as well as the experience of technical experts of both manufacturer and user. Unfortunately, there have already been fatal accidents involving conversions. Although existing versions of C37.59 provide some requirements, industry experience has already defined additional information which is needed including additional definitions, coverage of contractors being substituted for breaker elements, dynamic matching of mechanism operated contracts with the driving mechanisms as well as editorial changes. This PAR is to revise the existing C37.59-1996 to reflect the needs of the power industry.

The purpose of this project is to provide better requirements and guidance for conversion in the Power industry. Added safety will be one of the benefits.

Revision Standard - Superseded. Directions and requirements are provided for the conversion of qualified power switchgear equipment. Examples such as low-voltage power circuit breakers; high-voltage outdoor and medium-voltage indoor drawout power circuit breakers; low- and medium-voltage fused contactors; low- and medium-voltage ground and test devices; medium-voltage fused load interrupter switches; and all metal-enclosed switchgear are covered. Existing design standards are referenced with appropriate guidance on design testing necessary to design-verify the conversions.