EN 62019:1999/A1:2003

Overview

EN 62019:1999/A1:2003 is a European standard developed by the CLC (European Committees for Electrotechnical Standardization) that specifies requirements for auxiliary contact units used with household circuit-breakers and similar electrical accessories. These auxiliary contact units are critical components that provide additional signalling or switching functions to the main circuit-breaker, ensuring enhanced control and safety in residential electrical installations.

This amendment to the original EN 62019 standard aligns with the international IEC 62019:1999/A1:2002, reflecting updates and improvements for better performance, safety, and interoperability of auxiliary contact units in domestic electrical systems.

Key Topics

• Auxiliary Contact Units: Devices designed to operate in conjunction with household circuit-breakers, enabling auxiliary switching contacts that send signals to monitoring or control circuits.
• Compatibility: Requirements ensuring these auxiliary contacts are compatible with standard household circuit-breakers and similar protective devices.
• Safety and Reliability: Criteria to ensure long-term operational safety, electrical performance, and mechanical robustness of the units.
• Testing and Performance: Specifications for testing auxiliary contact units under electrical and mechanical stresses to comply with European quality and safety standards.
• Standardization Scope: Covers design, construction, function, and application requirements for auxiliary contacts within household circuit protection systems.

Applications

Auxiliary contact units compliant with EN 62019:1999/A1:2003 are primarily used in:

• Residential Electrical Installations: Providing reliable auxiliary signalling for circuit-breakers, essential for advanced home automation or safety systems.
• Load Monitoring: Enabling remote indication of circuit-breaker states for better energy management and fault detection.
• Control Systems: Integrating with building management systems (BMS) to facilitate coordinated electrical safety responses.
• Electrical Protection Devices: Enhancing the functionality of circuit-breakers by adding extended contacts that communicate status changes and operational conditions.

By ensuring adherence to this standard, manufacturers guarantee that auxiliary contact units deliver consistent performance, safety, and interoperability in household electrical safety appliances.

Related Standards

• IEC 62019:1999/A1:2002 - International standard forming the basis of EN 62019 with technical amendments.
• EN 60898 - Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection in household use.
• EN 60947 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear standards covering similar equipment but typically in industrial settings.
• EN 60439 - Standards for low-voltage switchgear assemblies that might incorporate circuit-breakers and their auxiliary contacts.
• EN 62208 - Enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear may apply to installations using devices complying with EN 62019.

Conclusion

EN 62019:1999/A1:2003 is essential for manufacturers, designers, and electrical professionals involved in household safety devices. It ensures auxiliary contact units reliably complement circuit-breakers, offering enhanced operation, control, and safety in residential electrical protection. Compliance facilitates market access across Europe while supporting international harmonization with IEC guidelines.

Keywords: EN 62019, auxiliary contact units, household circuit-breakers, electrical accessories for home use, electrical safety standards, circuit-breaker auxiliary contacts, residential electrical installations, CLC standards.