IEC 62271-201:2014

IEC 62271-201 ®
Edition 2.0 2014-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
High-voltage switchgear and controlgear –
Part 201: AC solid-insulation enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated
voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV

Appareillage à haute tension –
Partie 201: Appareillage sous enveloppe isolante solide pour courant alternatif
de tensions assignées supérieures à 1 kV et inférieures ou égales à 52 kV

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IEC 62271-201 ®
Edition 2.0 2014-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
High-voltage switchgear and controlgear –

Part 201: AC solid-insulation enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated

voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV

Appareillage à haute tension –

Partie 201: Appareillage sous enveloppe isolante solide pour courant alternatif

de tensions assignées supérieures à 1 kV et inférieures ou égales à 52 kV

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XD
ICS 29.130.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1482-4

– 2 – IEC 62271-201:2014 © IEC 2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 8
1 General . 10
1.1 Scope . 10
1.2 Normative references . 10
2 Normal and special service conditions . 11
3 Terms and definitions . 11
3.1 Index of definitions . 19
4 Ratings . 21
4.1 Rated voltage (U ) . 21
r
4.1.2 Range II for rated voltages above 245 kV . 21
4.2 Rated insulation level . 22
4.3 Rated frequency (f ) . 22
r
4.4 Rated normal current and temperature rise . 22
4.4.1 Rated normal current (I ) . 22
r
4.4.2 Temperature rise . 22
4.5 Rated short-time withstand current (I ) . 22
k
4.5.101 Rated short-time withstand current (I ) . 22
k
4.5.102 Rated short-time phase to earth withstand current (I ) . 22
ke
4.6 Rated peak withstand current (I ) . 22
p
4.6.101 Rated peak withstand current (I ) . 23
p
4.6.102 Rated peak phase to earth withstand current (I ) . 23
pe
4.7 Rated duration of short circuit (t ) . 23
k
4.7.101 Rated duration of short circuit (t ) . 23
k
4.7.102 Rated duration of phase to earth short circuit (t ) . 23
ke
4.8 Rated supply voltage of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary and
control circuits (U ) . 23
a
4.9 Rated supply frequency of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary
circuits . 23
4.10 Rated pressure of compressed gas supply for controlled pressure
systems . 23
4.11 Rated filling levels for insulation and/or operation . 23
4.101 Ratings of the internal arc classification (IAC) . 23
4.101.1 General . 23
4.101.2 Types of accessibility. 23
4.101.3 Classified sides . 24
4.101.4 Rated arc fault currents (I , I ) . 24
A Ae
4.101.5 Rated arc fault duration (t , t ) . 24
A Ae
4.102 Rated cable test voltages . 24
4.102.1 General . 24
4.102.2 Rated power-frequency cable test voltage U (a.c.) . 25
ct
4.102.3 Rated d.c. cable test voltage U (d.c.) . 25
ct
5 Design and construction . 25
5.1 Requirements for liquids in switchgear and controlgear . 25
5.2 Requirements for gases in switchgear and controlgear . 25
5.3 Earthing of switchgear and controlgear . 26
5.3.101 Earthing of the high-voltage conductive parts . 26
5.3.102 Earthing of the enclosure . 26

5.3.103 Earthing of earthing devices . 26
5.3.104 Earthing of withdrawable and removable parts . 26
5.3.105 Earthing circuit . 26
5.4 Auxiliary and control equipment . 27
5.5 Dependent power operation . 27
5.6 Stored energy operation . 27
5.7 Independent manual or power operation (independent unlatched
operation) . 27
5.8 Operation of releases . 27
5.9 Low- and high-pressure interlocking and monitoring devices . 27
5.10 Nameplates. 27
5.11 Interlocking devices . 29
5.12 Position indication . 29
5.13 Degrees of protection by enclosures . 30
5.13.1 Protection of persons against access to hazardous parts and
protection of the equipment against ingress of solid foreign
objects (IP coding) . 30
5.13.2 Protection against ingress of water (IP coding) . 30
5.13.3 Protection of equipment against mechanical impact under
normal service conditions (IK coding) . 30
5.14 Creepage distances for outdoor insulators . 30
5.15 Gas and vacuum tightness . 30
5.16 Liquid tightness . 30
5.17 Fire hazard (flammability) . 30
5.18 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 30
5.19 X-ray emission . 30
5.20 Corrosion . 30
5.101 Internal arc fault . 31
5.102 Solid insulating enclosure . 31
5.102.1 General . 31
5.102.2 Protection category of the solid insulating enclosure against
electric shock . 31
5.102.3 Requirements for protection categories. 32
5.102.4 Covers and doors . 33
5.102.5 Partition or shutter being part of the enclosure . 33
5.102.6 Inspection windows. 34
5.102.7 Ventilating openings, vent outlets . 34
5.103 High-voltage compartments. 34
5.103.1 General . 34
5.103.2 Fluid-filled compartments (gas or liquid) . 35
5.103.3 Partitions and shutters . 36
5.104 Removable parts . 37
5.105 Provisions for dielectric tests on cables . 37
6 Type tests . 37
6.1 General . 37
6.1.1 Grouping of tests . 38
6.1.2 Information for identification of specimens . 39
6.1.3 Information to be included in type-test reports . 39
6.2 Dielectric tests . 39
6.2.1 Ambient air conditions during tests . 39

– 4 – IEC 62271-201:2014 © IEC 2014
6.2.2 Wet test procedure . 39
6.2.3 Conditions of switchgear and controlgear during dielectric
tests . 39
6.2.4 Criteria to pass the test . 39
6.2.5 Application of the test voltage and test conditions . 39
6.2.6 Tests of switchgear and controlgear of U ≤ 245 kV . 40
r
6.2.7 Tests of switchgear and controlgear of U >245 kV . 41
r
6.2.8 Artificial pollution tests for outdoor insulators . 41
6.2.9 Partial discharge tests . 41
6.2.10 Dielectric tests on auxiliary and control circuits . 42
6.2.11 Voltage test as condition check . 42
6.2.101 Dielectric tests on cable testing circuits . 42
6.3 Radio interference voltage (r.i.v.) test . 43
6.4 Measurement of the resistance of circuits . 43
6.4.1 Main circuit . 43
6.4.2 Auxiliary circuits . 43
6.4.101 Requirement for protection category PB2 . 43
6.5 Temperature-rise tests . 43
6.5.1 Conditions of the switchgear and controlgear to be tested . 44
6.5.2 Arrangement of the equipment . 44
6.5.3 Measurement of the temperature and the temperature rise . 44
6.5.4 Ambient air temperature . 44
6.5.5 Temperature-rise test of the auxiliary and control equipment . 44
6.5.6 Interpretation of the temperature-rise tests . 44
6.6 Short-time withstand current and peak withstand current tests . 44
6.6.1 Arrangement of the switchgear and controlgear and of the test
circuit . 45
6.6.2 Test current and duration . 46
6.6.3 Behaviour of switchgear and controlgear during test . 46
6.6.4 Condition of switchgear and controlgear after test . 46
6.7 Verification of the protection . 46
6.7.1 Verification of the IP coding . 46
6.7.2 Verification of the IK coding . 46
6.8 Tightness tests . 46
6.9 Electromagnetic compatibility tests (EMC) . 46
6.10 Additional tests on auxiliary and control circuits . 46
6.10.1 General . 46
6.10.2 Functional tests . 46
6.10.3 Electrical continuity of earthed metallic parts test . 46
6.10.4 Verification of the operational characteristics of auxiliary
contacts . 47
6.10.5 Environmental tests . 47
6.10.6 Dielectric test . 47
6.11 X-radiation test procedures for vacuum interrupters . 47
6.101 Verification of making and breaking capacities . 47
6.101.1 General . 47
6.101.2 Test requirements for main switching devices . 48
6.101.3 Test requirements for earthing function . 48
6.102 Mechanical operation tests . 48
6.102.1 Switching devices and removable parts . 48

6.102.2 Interlocks . 49
6.103 Pressure withstand test for gas-filled compartments. 50
6.103.1 Pressure withstand test for gas-filled compartments with
pressure relief devices . 50
6.103.2 Pressure withstand test for gas-filled compartments without
pressure relief devices . 50
6.104 Tests to prove the protection of persons against electric shock . 50
6.104.1 General . 50
6.104.2 Dielectric tests . 50
6.104.3 Measurements of leakage currents . 51
6.105 Internal arcing test . 51
6.105.1 General . 51
6.105.2 Test conditions . 52
6.105.3 Arrangement of the equipment . 53
6.105.4 Test procedure . 53
6.105.5 Criteria to pass the test . 53
6.105.6 Test report . 54
6.105.7 Transferability of test results . 55
6.106 Thermal stability test . 55
6.107 Humidity test . 55
7 Routine tests . 55
7.1 Dielectric test on the main circuit . 56
7.2 Tests on auxiliary and control circuits . 56
7.3 Measurement of the resistance of the main circuit . 56
7.4 Tightness test . 57
7.5 Design and visual checks . 57
7.101 Partial discharge test . 57
7.102 Mechanical operation tests . 57
7.103 Pressure tests of gas-filled compartments . 57
7.104 Tests of auxiliary electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic devices . 57
7.105 Tests after erection on site . 58
7.106 Measurement of fluid condition after filling on site . 58
8 Guide to the selection of switchgear and controlgear . 58
8.101 General . 58
8.102 Selection of rated values . 59
8.103 Selection of design and construction . 59
8.103.1 General . 59
8.103.2 Architecture and accessibility to high-voltage compartments . 60
8.103.3 Service continuity of the switchgear and controlgear. 60
8.103.4 Partition classes . 63
8.104 Internal arc fault . 63
8.104.1 General . 63
8.104.2 Causes and preventive measures . 63
8.104.3 Supplementary protective measures . 63
8.104.4 Considerations for the selection and installation . 64
8.104.5 Internal arc test . 65
8.104.6 IAC classification . 65
8.105 Summary of technical requirements, ratings and optional tests . 66
8.106 Ratings of earthing circuits . 68

– 6 – IEC 62271-201:2014 © IEC 2014
8.107 Ratings for cable testing . 69
9 Information to be given with enquiries, tenders and orders . 69
9.1 Information with enquiries and orders . 69
9.2 Information with tenders . 70
10 Transport, storage, installation, operation and maintenance . 70
10.1 Conditions during transport, storage and installation . 70
10.2 Installation . 70
10.2.3 Mounting . 71
10.3 Operation . 71
10.4 Maintenance . 71
11 Safety . 71
11.101 Procedures . 71
11.102 Internal arc aspects . 71
12 Influence of the product on the environment . 72
Annex AA (normative) Internal arc fault – Method to verify the internal arc
classification (IAC) . 73
AA.1 Room simulation . 73
AA.2 Indicators (for assessing the thermal effects of the gases) . 75
AA.2.1 General . 75
AA.2.2 Arrangement of indicators . 75
AA.3 Tolerances for geometrical dimensions of test arrangements . 76
AA.4 Test parameters . 76
AA.4.1 General . 76
AA.4.2 Voltage . 76
AA.4.3 Current . 77
AA.4.4 Frequency . 77
AA.5 Test procedure . 77
AA.5.1 Supply circuit . 77
AA.5.2 Arc initiation . 78
Annex BB (normative) Partial discharge measurement . 84
BB.1 General . 84
BB.2 Application . 84
BB.3 Test circuits and measuring instruments . 84
BB.4 Test procedure . 85
Annex CC (informative) Regional deviations . 89
Annex DD (normative) Humidity test . 90
DD.1 General . 90
DD.2 Test procedure and test conditions . 90
DD.2.1 Test cycle and its duration . 90
DD.2.2 Generation of fog . 91
DD.2.3 High air temperature period . 91
DD.2.4 Test chamber. 91
DD.2.5 Test object . 91
DD.2.6 Test voltage and voltage supply . 92
DD.2.7 Total test duration . 92
DD.3 Test criteria and evaluation . 92
DD.3.1 Criterion during the test . 92
DD.3.2 Criterion after the test . 92

DD.3.3 Evaluation of the test . 92
Annex EE (informative) Protection categories . 94
EE.1 Protection category PA . 94
EE.2 Protection category PB . 95
Annex FF (informative) List of symbols and abbreviations used in IEC 62271-201 . 96
Bibliography . 97

Figure 101 – LSC1 . 62
Figure 102 – LSC2 . 62
Figure 103 – LSC2 . 62
Figure 104 – LSC2A . 62
Figure 105 – LSC2B . 62
Figure 106 – LSC2B . 62
Figure AA.1 – Mounting frame for vertical indicators . 80
Figure AA.2 – Horizontal indicator. 80
Figure AA.3 – Position of the indicators . 81
Figure AA.4 – Room simulation and indicator positioning for accessibility A, classified
rear side, functional unit of any height . 82
Figure AA.5 – Ceiling height stated from the floor or false floor level where the
switchgear is actually placed . 83
Figure BB.1 – Partial discharge test circuit (three-phase arrangement) . 87
Figure BB.2 – Partial discharge test circuit (system without earthed neutral) . 88
Figure DD.1 – Test cycle . 93
Figure DD.2 – Test chamber . 93
Figure EE.1 – Possible designs for protection category PA . 94
Figure EE.2 – Possible designs for protection category PB . 95

Table 101 – Nameplate information . 28
Table 102 – Locations, causes and examples of measures to decrease the probability
of internal arc faults . 64
Table 103 – Single phase-to-earth arc fault current depending on the network neutral
earthing . 66
Table 104 – Summary of technical requirements, ratings and optional tests for solid-
insulation enclosed switchgear . 67
Table AA.1 – Parameters for internal arc fault test according to compartment
construction . 79
Table BB.1 – Test circuits and procedures . 86

– 8 – IEC 62271-201:2014 © IEC 2014
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR –

Part 201: AC solid-insulation enclosed switchgear
and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV
and up to and including 52 kV
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62271-201 has been prepared by subcommittee 17C: High-voltage
switchgear and controlgear assemblies, of IEC technical committee 17: Switchgear and
controlgear.
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:
a) apart from updating with the second edition of IEC 62271-200 (issued in 2011), definitions,
classifications and testing procedures have been specified more precisely;
b) access to the solid-insulation enclosed switchgear and controlgear is now restricted to
authorized personnel only. This implies that “accessibility class B” (public access) has
been deleted throughout the document;

c) the term “protection category” has been introduced to replace the term “protection grade”
(PA, PB1 and PB2)
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
17C/594/FDIS 17C/597/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
This standard should be read in conjunction with IEC 62271-1:2007 and its Amendment
1:2011, to which it refers and which is applicable, unless otherwise specified. In order to
simplify the indication of corresponding requirements, the same numbering of clauses and
subclauses is used as in IEC 62271-1. Amendments to these clauses and subclauses are
given under the same numbering, whilst additional subclauses are numbered from 101.
The reader's attention is drawn to the fact that Annex CC lists all of the “in-some-country”
clauses on differing practices of a less permanent nature relating to the subject of this
standard.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62271 series, published under the general title High-voltage
switchgear and controlgear, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 10 – IEC 62271-201:2014 © IEC 2014
HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR –

Part 201: AC solid-insulation enclosed switchgear
and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV
and up to and including 52 kV
1 General
1.1 Scope
This part of IEC 62271 specifies requirements for prefabricated solid-insulation enclosed
switchgear and controlgear for alternating current of rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and
including 52 kV for indoor installation and for service frequencies up to and including 60 Hz.
Access to the switchgear and controlgear is restricted to authorized personnel.
NOTE 1 For the use of this document high-voltage (IEC 60050-601:1985, 601-01-27) is the rated voltage above
1 000 V. However, medium voltage (IEC 60050-601:1985, 601-01-28) is commonly used for distribution systems
with voltages above 1 kV and generally ap
...