IEC 62561-3:2023

IEC 62561-3 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-07
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Lightning protection system components (LPSC) –
Part 3: Requirements for isolating spark gaps (ISGs)

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IEC 62561-3 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-07
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Lightning protection system components (LPSC) –
Part 3: Requirements for isolating spark gaps (ISGs)
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 91.120.40 ISBN 978-2-8322-7216-9

– 2 – IEC 62561-3:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Classification . 10
4.1 According to the capability of ISGs to withstand lightning current . 10
4.2 According to ISGs installation location . 10
5 Requirements . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Environmental requirements . 10
5.3 Documentation and installation instructions . 10
5.4 Lightning current carrying capability . 10
5.5 Rated impulse sparkover voltage . 10
5.6 Rated withstand voltage . 11
5.6.1 Rated DC withstand voltage . 11
5.6.2 Rated power frequency withstand voltage . 11
5.7 Isolation resistance . 11
5.8 Marking . 11
5.9 UV (ultraviolet) resistance .
6 Tests . 11
6.1 General test conditions . 11
6.2 Ultraviolet (UV) light test . 12
6.2.1 General test conditions . 12
6.2.2 Acceptance criteria . 12
6.3 Corrosion resistance test . 13
6.3.1 General test conditions . 13
6.3.2 Acceptance criteria . 13
6.4 Mechanical tests Impact test . 13
6.4.1 General test conditions . 13
6.4.2 Acceptance criteria . 15
6.5 Electrical tests . 15
6.5.1 Isolation resistance . 15
6.5.2 Withstand voltage . 15
6.5.3 Rated impulse sparkover voltage . 16
6.5.4 Lightning current . 16
6.6 Documentation and installation instructions . 17
6.6.1 General conditions . 17
6.6.2 Acceptance criteria . 17
6.7 Marking test . 17
6.7.1 General test conditions . 17
6.7.2 Acceptance criteria . 17
7 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 17
8 Structure and content of the test report . 17
8.1 General . 17
8.2 Report identification . 18

8.3 Specimen description . 18
8.4 Standards and references . 18
8.5 Test procedure . 19
8.6 Testing equipment description . 19
8.7 Measuring instruments description . 19
8.8 Results and parameters recorded . 19
8.9 Statement of pass/ or fail . 19
Annex A (normative) Flowchart of tests for testing ISGs . 20
Annex B (normative) Environmental test for isolating spark gaps Resistance to
corrosion tests for ISGs . 23
B.1 General . 23
B.2 Salt mist treatment . 23
B.3 Humid sulphurous atmosphere treatment . 23
B.4 Ammonia atmosphere treatment. 23
Annex C (normative) Environmental test for outdoor isolating spark gaps – Resistance
to ultraviolet light . 24
C.1 General . 24
C.2 Test . 24
C.3 First alternative test to C.2 . 24
C.4 Second alternative test to C.2 . 24
Annex D (normative) Applicability of previous tests . 25
Bibliography . 26

Figure 1 – Pendulum hammer test apparatus .
Figure A.1 – Flowchart of the sequence of tests for ISGs . 22

a
Table 1 – Lightning impulse current (I ) parameters . 16
imp
Table D.1 – Differences in the requirements for ISGs complying with IEC 62561-3:2017 . 25

– 4 – IEC 62561-3:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS (LPSC) –

Part 3: Requirements for isolating spark gaps (ISGs)

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