AS/NZS 61439.2 – Power Switchgear and Controlgear Assemblies
AS/NZS 61439.2 is titled “Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies – Part 2: Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies.” In simple terms, it sets out the rules for switchboards and control panels used in industrial and commercial environments. These aren’t the small distribution boards you see...
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AS/NZS 61439.1 – General Rules
AS/NZS 61439.1 is titled “Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies – Part 1: General rules.” It sets out the universal requirements for low-voltage switchboards and assemblies up to 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC. It doesn’t apply to just one type of switchboard. Instead,...
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AS/NZS 61439.0 – What you need to know?
The role of Part 0 is simple but important: it helps you specify correctly. One of the biggest issues in the past was a lack of clarity between what customers wanted and what manufacturers supplied. A project specification might say something vague like “switchboard...
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Choosing the Right Switchboard – How to Get It Right the First Time
The first thing in selecting a switchboard is to know precisely what it has to manage. That requires proper load calculations. What current will be drawn at peak demand? Are there big motors, air conditioning, or EV charging in the equation? Do you anticipate...
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Thermal Imaging For Electrical Switchboards
Thermal imaging, or infrared thermography, detects differences in temperature in electrical equipment within switchboards and related facilities. It operates by using a specialized infrared camera to measure heat in the wiring, terminations, and points of electrical component connections. Unlike a routine visual inspection, which...
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Form 4 – Internal Separation of LV Switchgear
In a Form 4 switchboard, each major component has its own enclosed space. The busbars are fully separated from the functional units, the functional units are individually kept separate, and even the cable terminations are isolated from both the busbars and other terminations of cable....
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Form 2 – Understanding Internal Separation in Low Voltage Switchgear
Form 2 is where the busbars are isolated from the functional units. Functional units refer to devices such as circuit breakers, contactors, and other circuit control or protection devices. We isolate the busbars so that there is less chance of a person accidentally touching...
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Form 1 – Forms of Internal Separation in LV Switchgear
Form 1 is the initial point when referring to internal separation. It is characterized by an absolute absence of internal barriers among the main components of the switchgear. In practice, what this implies is that busbars, control units, and cable terminations all occupy the same...
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Understanding Form 3 – Internal Separation in LV Switchgear
Form 3 is well accepted for industrial and commercial switchboards. It offers a balance of safety, low maintenance, and low cost that allows it to find widespread application. It provides enhanced protection and maintenance flexibility with no high cost or bulk of fully compartmentalised...
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Arc Fault Containment – How Exactly It Works?
An arc fault happens when an electrical current jumps across an air gap between conductors, or between a conductor and earth, often due to insulation failure, loose connections, corrosion, or mechanical damage. Think of it like a lightning bolt—but contained inside a metal box....
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