January - March 2003

Issued by : EBG - Electrical Systems & Equipment, LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED, Powai Works, Mumbai 400 072

L&T switchboards
tested for
ASTA certification

L&T switchboards have been
tested for ASTA certification for
compliance with the requirements
of Type Tested Assembly (TTA)
& Partially Type Tested Assembly
(PTTA) as per IEC 60439. The
tests were carried out at British
Short-Circuit Testing Station
Limited in U.K.
The certification of type TF Power
Control Centre (for TTA)
included testing of switchboard at
80kA short time withstand for 1
sec. and IP54 degree of protection
in addition to other tests like
dielectric properties, temperature
rise, clearance & creepage
distance verification, mechanical
operations, effectiveness of
protective circuit etc.
Similarly, type TQ Motor Control
Centre has also been certified as
TTA for 80kA short time withstand
for 1 sec. and IP54 degree of
protection.
The TTA testing included testing
of incoming circuit, outgoing
circuits, earthing circuits in
addition to the horizontal and
vertical busbars.
Additionally, PTTA tests were
successfully conducted on Power
Control Centre type TF and Motor
Control Centre type TQ
switchboards for 100kA for 1 sec.
short time withstand test.

Visit us at www.LNTEBG.com

Type-Tested Assemblies of
Low-Voltage Switchgear & Controlgear
Reliability of a power distribution
system is very important
particularly in case of modern
process industries wherein the
cost of interruption is very high.
This is more important in severe
operating conditions (similar to
tropical conditions prevailing in
India) where heat, dust, humidity
and vermin are prevalent. This
increases the responsibility of the
designers and manufacturers of
such systems in delivering
products, which are totally reliable
and safe to work on; products
which also have the right control
and protection devices.
Low Voltage switchboards form an
important link in such power
distribution system which mainly
consists of drives / motors
operating at Low Voltage. Hence,
it becomes essential to build
highest reliability in LV
switchboards.
The quality and reliability built in
the switchboards can be verified,
to a large extent, by carrying out
type tests. Testing as a means of
proving the product performance
is increasingly becoming an issue
of prime importance worldwide.
Conventionally, each of these tests
is carried out on separate
specimen. These tests are an
essential requirement but may
not be entirely sufficient. This is
mainly because in a practical
situation, abnormalities such as
short circuits or similar faults may
FEATURE
- Mr. B.N. Mistry & Mr. C.D. Mehta
Switchgear Design & Product Development
be experienced by the same
switchboard and still it has to
continue to perform satisfactorily
with respect to electrical as well
as mechanical operations.
Hence, it is required that the same
switchboard undergoes all the
abnormal and normal operating
conditions to ensure its
performance during its intended
life.
The design of quality
switchboards that will protect the
integrity of the supply can be
achieved by compliance to the
standard for design, construction
and testing of switchboards viz.
IEC 60439-1 / IS 8623-1. Low
voltage switchgear and control
gear assemblies – Part1: Type-
tested and Partially type-tested
assemblies.
IEC60439, provides two
fundamental approaches for
checking the product performance
i.e. Type-tested Assembly and
Partially Type-tested Assembly.
To understand the requirements,
let us look at some of the
definitions used in the standard.
Type-tested low-voltage
switchgear and controlgear
assembly (TTA)
A low voltage switchgear and
controlgear assembly conforming
to an established type or system
without deviations likely to
significantly influence the
performance, from the typical
assembly verified to be in
accordance with the standard.
Partially type-tested low-voltage
switchgear and controlgear
assembly (PTTA)
A low voltage switchgear and
controlgear assembly, containing
both type tested and non–type–
tested arrangements, provided the
latter are derived from (e.g. by
calculation) type tested
arrangements which have
complied with the relevant tests.
Type tests
These tests are intended to verify
compliance with the requirements
laid down in the standard and are
carried out on a sample of such
an assembly. Type tests include
the following:
➽ Verification of temperature
rise limits
➽ Verification of the dielectric
properties
➽ Verification of the short-circuit
withstand strength
§ of busbars & Incoming
circuit
§ of outgoing circuits
➽ Verification of the
effectiveness of the
protective circuit
§ verification of effective
connection
§ verification of short-circuit
withstand
➽ Verification of clearance and
 creepage distances
➽ Verification of mechanical
operation
➽ Verification of the degree of
protection
Routine tests
These tests are intended to detect
faults in materials and
workmanship. They are carried
out on every new assembly.
Routine tests include the
following:-
➽ Inspection of the assembly
including the wiring / checking
of the schemes
➽ Dielectric test
➽ Checking of the protective
measures and electrical
continuity of the protective
circuits.
For certifying a switchboard as
TTA, it is mandatory that all the
requirements as per IEC 60439
are complied with for all the seven
type tests, in addition to the routine
tests. All the tests have to be
carried out on the same design of
the switchboard.
It should be noted that the term
‘Type Tested’ is different than the
term ‘TTA’. The term ‘Type Tested
Switchboards’, which is widely
used, only means that different
designs / switchboards have been
subjected to different type tests
(may be at different times).
Whereas the term ”Type Tested
Assembly” means that the same
design is subjected to all the
above mentioned type tests
simultaneously.
The TTA testing is much more
severe as it involves the
following:-
➽ All the tests are to be conducted
on same switchboard (though
standard permits testing on
different identical panels, in
absence of any valid technical
/ practical reasons, generally
laboratories insist on
conducting all the tests on the
same switchboard).
➽ The incoming as well as the
outgoing circuits undergo
temperature rise test and short-
circuit test. It means that all
components in the power circuit
like switchgear (ACBs,
Contactors, Relays etc),
incoming & outgoing contacts,
link work, are also subjected to
these tests, in addition to the
busbar system.
➽ Continuity between the
accessible metal parts of
enclosure and earthing circuit
has to be ensured.
➽ The earthing circuit is also
tested for short time withstand
test.
➽ All the drawout feeders are
tested for 50 nos. of insertion
and withdrawing operations
(racking in and out).
Conformance to TTA ensures the
following :-
➽ Satisfactory performance in
normal and abnormal
conditions.
➽ Compliance with the safety
requirements stipulated in the
standard.
➽ All the switchgear, power
contact assemblies,
connecting links etc. are
capable of withstanding /
clearing the fault.
However, any switchboard may
not be able to fulfill these
requirements unless it is designed
and manufactured to meet these
requirements. This is not an easy
task as it is clear from the fact
that very few manufacturers,
worldwide, have TTA certified
switchboards.
Successful type testing to the
requirements of TTA is one of the
biggest challenges. Electrical
industry, worldwide, has
recognised the need of
compliance to the standard as an
assurance of satisfactory field
performance. In order to ensure
the reliability of the power
distribution system, both Power
Control Centre and Motor Control
Centre should conform to the
requirements of TTA.
Conclusion
The main issue in switchboard
design and manufacture is in
understanding the applicable
standards and adhering to them.
Correctly engineered protective
systems in a "standard compliant"
switchboard provide the customer
a safe and reliable power
distribution system. Switchboards,
a link between the source
upstream and the load
downstream, should offer the
highest levels of safety, reliability
and ultimately, performance.
Type testing is increasingly
becoming the key criterion in the
field of electrical distribution to
assess the reliability and
performance of the product. The
international standard for design,
construction and testing of low
voltage switchgear and
controlgear assemblies, IEC
60439, provides two fundamental
approaches in this respect - Type
Tested Assembly and Partially
Type Tested Assembly.
Although PTTA may be useful to
assess the performance of a
particular design / product aspect
e.g. short-circuit, temperature rise
in a switchboard; the overall
guarantee of the switchboard
performance, during normal and
abnormal conditions, can be
derived only through TTA.
 M-line Contactors

Efficiency meets aesthetics and
performance combines with
elegance in the new M-line range
of Power Contactors recently
launched by L&T.
M-line range of Contactors are
designed and manufactured to
meet international standards.
They meet the precise requirement
of all switching applications,
surpassing the conventional levels
of performance and set a distinct
new benchmark.
Starting from 9A AC3 duty this
range will be available up to 550A
AC3 Duty. Presently, the following
contactors are available :
Contactor AC3 Rating
MNX9 9A
MNX12 12A
MNX18 18A
MNX25 25A
MNX32 32A
All these five ratings are available ✔ Easy access to mounting holes
in single frame size of sleek 45mm (even after directly mounting
width. overload relay).
Salient features of M-line ✔ Front ON/OFF mechanical
contactors (MNX 9 to MNX 32) : indication.
✔ Compact construction ensures
✔ Ease of contact inspection and
complete safety.
replacement.
✔ Highest aesthetic standard.
✔ Coil with four terminals (two on
each side) to facilitate ease of
✔ Conform to standards
termination.
§ IEC 60947–4-1
✔ Common coil for entire range § BS EN 60947–4–1
from 9A to 32A. § IS 13947-4-1
✔ Snap fit construction for ease
of coil replacement. Accessories available with the
range are :
✔ Finger proofing of terminals.
✔ Contactor lockable in off ✔ 2 and 4 Pole Auxiliary Contact
condition. Blocks
✔ Alpha-numeric terminal ✔ Surge Suppressor.
marking.
✔ Add on Pneumatic Timer
✔ Direct mounting of Overload
Relay & Pneumatic Relay ✔ Mechanical Interlock Kit

For further details on this subject, please contact:

EBG - Electrical Systems & Equipment, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Saki-Vihar Road, P.O. Box 8901, Powai, Mumbai 400 072
Fax: 022-2858 1024 * E-mail: kotnisnd@Intebg.com

Printed by Printania Offset Pvt. Ltd.,D 20/21, Shalimar Industrial Estate, Matunga (East), Mumbai 400 019. Tel.: 2407 7996/
8866/4540 Fax : 2402 4703 Email: pds6@bol.net.in. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the
management of Larsen & Toubro Limited. The contents of this magazine should not be reproduced without the written
ABCI permission of the Editor. Not for sale-only for circulation among the customers. Associate Editors: Sharmila Banerjee.
Editorial Coordinators : R. S. Mahajan, Neelam D. Kotnis, EBG-ESE, Powai .
Member