Technical Series

......................

Electrical installation guide

According to IEC International Standards

New edition

2005
http://theguide.merlin-gerin.com

This guide has been written for electrical Engineers who have to design, realize, inspect or maintain electrical installations in compliance with international Standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Which technical solution will guarantee that all relevant safety rules are met? This question has been a permanent guideline for the elaboration of this document. An international Standard such as the IEC 60364 Electrical Installation in Buldings specifies extensively the rules to comply with to ensure safety and predicted operational characteristics for all types of electrical installations. As the Standard must be extensive, and has to be applicable to all types of products and the technical solutions in use worldwide, the text of the IEC rules is complex, and not presented in a ready-to-use order. The Standard cannot therefore be considered as a working handbook, but only as a reference document. The aim of the present guide is to provide a clear, practical and step-bystep explanation for the complete study of an electrical installation, according to IEC 60364 and other relevant IEC Standards. Therefore, the first chapter (B) presents the methodology to be used, and each chapter deals with one out of the eight steps of the study. The two last chapter are devoted to particular supply sources, loads and locations, and appendix provides additional information. Special attention must be paid to the EMC appendix, which is based on the broad and practical experience on electromagnetic compatibility problems. We all hope that you, the user, will find this handbook genuinely helpful. Schneider Electric S.A.

This technical guide is the result of a collective effort. Technical advisor: Serge Volut Design/Technical content: Guy Satre-Duplessis Illustrations and production: AXESS - Valence -France Printing: Les Deux Ponts - France Second edition March 2005

The Electrical Installation Guide is a single document covering the techniques, regulations and standards related to electrical installations. It is intended for electrical professionals in companies, design offices, inspection organisations, etc. Electrical equipment should be serviced only by qualified electrical maintenance personnel, and this document should not be viewed as sufficient instructions for those who are not otherwise qualified to operate, service or maintain the equipment discussed. Although reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate and authoritative information in this document, no responsibility is assumed by Schneider Electric for any consequences arising from the use of this material. This new edition has been published to take into account changes in techniques, standards and regulations, in particular electrical installation standard IEC 60364. We thank all the readers of the previous edition of this guide for their comments that have helped improve the current edition. We also thank the many people and organisations, to numerous to name here, who have contributed in one way or another to the preparation of this guide.

Price: 90 ISBN : 2-907314-47-5 N dpt lgal: 1er semestre 2005 Conseil Schneider Electric All rights reserved for all the countries

Foreword
Roland Talon, Chairman TC 64 - International Electrotechnical Commission It is generally agreed that electrical equipment will provide the best performance (safety, operation and service life) when it is properly installed, which includes good co-ordination. The task of Technical Committee 64 of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is to develop and keep up-to-date requirements for electrical installations. TC64 also has a Safety Pilot Function for installations, equipment, products and systems. Delegates from many National Committees work in TC 64, drawn from manufacturers, laboratories, verification bodies, installers, and electrical power supply companies... with the consequence that IEC Standard 60364 is considered as the definitive document on which to base the design and implementation of an electrical installation. Furthermore the electrical environment is increasingly complex, mainly due to electromagnetic influences and other kinds of disturbances, and the continuous operation of all equipment supplied by the electrical installation has become a fundamental requirement. Consequently designers, installers and consumers need guidance on the selection and installation of electrical equipment. With this in mind, Schneider Electric has developed this Electrical Installation Guide. It has been prepared by engineers from Schneider Electric who are very experienced in electrical installation technology and possess excellent knowledge of consumer problems and requirements, and of IEC Standard 60364 and other relevant IEC standards. Last but not least, this Electrical Installation Guide has adopted the IEC Standard 60364 as a basis and as a result facilitates and favours international trade. As TC 64 Chairman and formerly the representative of French Electrical Contractors on TC64, it is my great pleasure and honour to introduce this guide. I am sure it will prove very useful in the implementation of the provisions of 60364 and in meeting consumers concerns.

Roland Talon has been with the French Electrical Contractors Association (FFIE) for 20 years. He previously worked for electrical contracting companies. During that period, he was deeply involved in many international projects. Roland Talon has been Chairman of IEC TC 64 since 2002 as well as chairman of CENELEC TC64.