BIS Certification for Low-Voltage Switchgear and Control Gear as per IS/IEC 60947 SERIES OF INDIAN STANDARDS

In today’s fast-paced world, electrical devices and control systems are integral components of our daily lives. From residential to industrial applications, low-voltage switchgear and control gear play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of electrical systems. To guarantee the quality and safety of these devices, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set stringent standards and regulations. In this article, we will delve into the BIS certification for various low-voltage switchgear and controlgear components, focusing on key parts and revisions, such as IS/IEC 60947: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4-1, Part 4-2, Part 4-3, Part 5-5, and Part 5-2.

INDIAN STANDARDS

IS/IEC 60947: PART 2: 2016 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR: PART 2 – CIRCUIT BREAKERS

This part of IEC 60947 series applies to circuit-breakers, the main contacts of which are intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c.; it also contains additional requirements for integrally fused circuit-breakers. Circuit-breakers rated above 1 000 V a.c. but not exceeding 1 500 V a.c. may also be tested to this standard. It applies whatever the rated currents, the method of construction or the proposed applications of the circuit-breakers may be.

The requirements for circuit-breakers which are also intended to provide earth leakageprotection are contained in Annex B. The additional requirements for circuit-breakers with electronic over-current protection are contained in Annex F. The additional requirements for circuit-breakers for IT systems are contained in Annex H. The requirements and test methods for electromagnetic compatibility of circuit-breakers are contained in Annex J. The requirements for circuit-breakers not fulfilling the requirements for over-current protection are contained in Annex L. The requirements for modular residual current devices (without integral current breaking device) are contained in Annex M. The requirements and test methods for electromagnetic compatibility of circuit-breaker auxiliaries are contained in Annex N. The requirements and test methods for d.c. circuit-breakers for use in photovoltaic (PV) applications are contained in Annex P. The requirements and test methods for circuit-breakers incorporating residual current protection with automatic reclosing functions are contained in Annex R. Supplementary requirements for circuit-breakers used as direct-on-line starters are given in IEC 60947-4-1, applicable to low-voltage contactors and starters. The requirements for circuit-breakers for the protection of wiring installations in buildings and similar applications, and designed for use by uninstructed persons, are contained in IEC 60898. The requirements for circuit-breakers for equipment (for example electrical appliances) are contained in IEC 60934.

IS/IEC 60947-3: 2020 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR: PART 3 – SWITCHES, DISCONNECTORS, SWITCH DISCONNECTORS, AND FUSE-COMBINATION UNITS 

This part of IEC 60947 applies to switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse combination

units and their dedicated accessories to be used in distribution circuits and motor circuits of which the rated voltage does not exceed 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC.

NOTE 1 Accessories are interconnecting units, extended terminals, internal coils, auxiliary contacts, motor operator, etc. offered as options with the basic unit. This document does not apply to equipment coming within the scope of IEC 60947-2, IEC 60947-4- 1 and IEC 60947-5-1. Particular requirements for switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse combination units for use in photovoltaic (PV) DC applications are given in Annex D. Specific requirements for LV switchgear intended for the connections of aluminium conductors are given in Annex E. Guidance on measurement of power loss is provided in Annex F. This document does not include the additional requirements necessary for electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres.

NOTE 2 Depending on its design, a switch (or disconnector) can be referred to as “a rotary switch (disconnector)”, “cam-operated switch (disconnector)”, “knife-switch (disconnector)”, etc.

NOTE 3 In this document, the word “switch” also applies to the apparatus referred to in French as

“commutateurs”, intended to modify the connections between several circuits and inter alia to substitute a part of a circuit for another.

IS/IEC 60947: PART 4 SEC 1 :2012 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 4 CONTACTORS AND MOTOR-STARTERS SECTION 1 ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTACTORS AND MOTOR-STARTERS

This part of IEC 60947 is applicable to the following equipment: Electromechanical contactors and starters including motor protective switching device (MPSD);  actuators of contactor relays; contacts dedicated exclusively to the coil circuit of this contactor or this contactor relay; dedicated accessories (e.g. dedicated wiring, dedicated latch accessory);intended to be connected to distribution circuits, motors circuits and other load circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC.

This document covers also the assessment procedure for electromechanical overload protection used in safety applications such as protecting a motor located in explosive atmosphere from the outside atmosphere.

This document does not apply to:  starters for DC motors 1;  auxiliary contacts of contactors and contacts of contactor relays. These are covered by IEC 60947-5-1; starter used downstream to frequency drive1;  short-circuit protective device integrated within starters other than MPSDs. This is covered by IEC 60947-2 and IEC 60947-3; – the use of the product with additional measure within explosive atmospheres. These are given in IEC 60079 series; – embedded software design rules1; cyber security aspects. These are covered by IEC 62443 series.

IS/IEC 60947-4-2: 2011 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 4 CONTACTORS AND MOTOR-STARTERS SECTION 2 A.C SEMICONDUCTOR MOTOR CONTROLLERS AND STARTERS

This standard applies to a.c. semiconductor motor controllers and starters, which may include a series mechanical switching device, intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V a.c. This standard characterizes a.c. semiconductor motor controllers and starters with and without bypass means. AC semiconductor motor controllers and starters dealt with in this standard are not normally designed to interrupt short-circuit currents. Therefore, suitable short-circuit protection should form part of the installation, but not necessarily of the a.c. semiconductor motor controller or starter. In this context, this standard gives requirements for a.c. semiconductor motor controllers and starters associated with separate short-circuit protective devices. This standard does not apply to : a)  continuous operation of a.c. motors at motor speeds other than the normal speed; b) semiconductor equipment, including semiconductor contactors controlling non-motor loads; c) electronic a.c. power controllers covered by IEC 60146 series. Contactors, overload relays and control circuit devices used in a.c. semiconductor motor controllers and starters should comply with the requirements of their relevant product standard. Where mechanical switching devices are used, they should meet the requirements of their own IEC product standard, and the additional requirements of this standard

IS/IEC 60947-4-3: 2014    LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 4 CONTACTORS AND MOTOR-STARTERS SECTION 3 A.C. SEMICONDUCTOR MOTOR CONTROLLERS AND CONTRACTORS FOR NON-MOTOR LOADS

This document applies to semiconductor controllers and semiconductor contactors for non-motor load intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 1 000 V AC. It covers their use:

– for operations of changing the state of AC electric circuits between the ON-state and the OFF-state; – with or without bypass switching devices;

– as controller, for reducing the amplitude of the RMS AC voltage.

This document does not apply to:

– electromechanical contactors (see IEC 60947-4-1);

– short-circuit protective device associated with semiconductor controllers and semiconductor contactors (see IEC 60947-4-1 (MPSD), IEC 60947-2 and IEC 60947-3);

– semiconductor motor controller or soft-starter equipment (see IEC 60947-4-2);

– semiconductor converters (see IEC 60146 (all parts));

– solid-state relays (see IEC 62314);

– use of the product within explosive atmospheres (see IEC 60079 (all parts));

– software and firmware requirements (see IEC TR 63201);

– cyber security aspects (see IEC TS 63208).

Contactors and control-circuit devices used in semiconductor controllers and contactors are considered compliant with the requirements of their relevant product standard. Where mechanical switching devices are used, they are considered meeting the requirements of their own IEC product standard and the additional requirements of this document.

IS/IEC 60947 -5-1 : 2016 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 5 CONTROL CIRCUIT DEVICES AND SWITCHING ELEMENTS SECTION 1 ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT DEVICES

This part of IEC 60947 applies to control circuit devices and switching elements intended for controlling, signalling, interlocking, etc., of switchgear and controlgear. It applies to control circuit devices having a rated voltage not exceeding 1 000 V a.c. (at a frequency not exceeding 1 000 Hz) or 600 V d.c.

This standard applies to specific types of control circuit devices such as:

• manual control switches, for example push-buttons, rotary switches, foot switches, etc.;

• electromagnetically operated control switches, either time-delayed or instantaneous, for example contactor relays;

• pilot switches, for example pressure switches, temperature sensitive switches (thermostats), programmers, etc.;

• position switches, for example control switches operated by part of a machine or mechanism;

• associated control circuit equipment, for example indicator lights, etc.

It also applies to specific types of switching elements associated with other devices (whose main circuits are covered by other standards) such as:

• auxiliary contacts of a switching device (e.g. contactor, circuit breaker. etc.) which are not dedicated exclusively for use with the coil of that device;

• interlocking contacts of enclosure doors;

• control circuit contacts of rotary switches;

• control circuit contacts of overload relays.

Contactor relays also comply with the requirements and tests of IEC 60947-4-1 except for the utilization category which comply with this standard. This standard does not include the relays covered in IEC 60255 or in the IEC 61810 series, nor automatic electrical control devices for household and similar purposes. The colour requirements of indicator lights, push-buttons, etc., are found in IEC 60073 and also in CIE S 0004/E-2001 from the Commission of Illumination (CIE)

IS/IEC 60947-5-2: 2019 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 5 CONTROL CIRCUIT DEVICES AND SWITCHING ELEMENTS SECTION 35 PROXIMITY SWITCHES

This part of IEC 60947 applies to inductive and capacitive proximity switches that sense the presence of metallic and/or non-metallic objects, ultrasonic proximity switches that sense the presence of sound reflecting objects, photoelectric proximity switches that sense the presence of objects and non-mechanical magnetic proximity switches that sense the presence of objects with a magnetic field.

Products covered by the scope of this document are not subjected to defined behaviours under fault conditions. Proximity switches with defined behaviour are covered by IEC 60947-5-3 and have to fulfil additional requirements.

These proximity switches are self-contained, have semiconductor switching element(s) and are intended to be connected to circuits, the rated voltage of which does not exceed 250 V 50 Hz/60 Hz AC RMS or 300 V DC.

Examples of typical applications for in-scope products:

• factory automation and machinery industry;

• logistic and packaging industry;

• conveyor belts, lifts;

• process industry;

• power plants.

Special applications (e.g. corrosive atmosphere) can cause additional requirements. This document is not intended to cover proximity switches with analogue outputs.

IS/IEC 60947-5-5: 2016 LOW-VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR AND CONTROLGEAR PART 5 CONTROL CIRCUIT DEVICES AND SWITCHING ELEMENTS SECTION 5 ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY STOP DEVICES WITH MECHANICAL LATCHING FUNCTION

This section of IEC 60947-5 provides detailed specifications relating to the electrical and mechanical construction of emergency stop devices with mechanical latching function and to their testing.

This standard is applicable to electrical control circuit devices and switching elements which are used to initiate an emergency stop signal. Such devices may be either provided with their own enclosure, or installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

This standard does not apply to:

– emergency stop devices for non-electrical control circuit, for example hydraulic, pneumatic;

– emergency stop devices without mechanical latching function.

An emergency stop device may also be used to provide an emergency switching off function.

This standard does not deal with any specific requirements on noise as the noise emission of electrical emergency stop devices with mechanical latching function is not considered to be a relevant hazard.

QUALITY CONTROL ORDER (TECHNICAL REGULATION) ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES, GOVT. OF INDIA ON 09 MAY 2023 FOR MANDATORY BIS CERTIFICATION

The  Ministry of Heavy Industry, Govt. of India, has issued an order, making it mandatory for all switchgears and control gears listed above to be used in India, whether manufactured in India or imported from foreign countries, shall mandatorily carry the Standard Mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards under a valid BIS licence.  In short, it has become obligatory for all the manufacturers of switchgears and control gears, whether in India or overseas, to immediately apply for BIS licence and obtain a valid BIS certification licence before that the last date of implementation of the order as specified in the Quality Control Order.

BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

The BIS Standards, IS 1363 and IS 1364, establishes a comprehensive framework encompassing various quality parameters that fasteners must adhere to. The Bureau of Indian Standards Certification Scheme is a vital framework established by the Indian government to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of products available in the market. This scheme aims to safeguard consumer interests by setting stringent benchmarks and guidelines that products must meet before they can be deemed compliant. BIS certification covers a wide range of industries and products, encompassing the entire gamut of industrial and manufacturing activity.  Various steps involved in the BIS Certification process are enumerated below:

• Standard Identification: Manufacturers identify the relevant BIS standard that applies to their chosen product category. These standards outline the specific quality, safety, and performance requirements that the product must meet.
• Application Submission: Manufacturers submit an application for BIS certification to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), providing details about the product, its specifications, and the desired certification mark.
• Factory Inspection: BIS conducts an inspection of the manufacturer’s production facility to assess the quality control processes, infrastructure, and adherence to relevant standards.
• Sample Testing: BIS collects samples of the product from the manufacturer for testing in authorized BIS laboratories or recognized testing centers. These tests evaluate various parameters specified by the BIS standard.
• Certification Decision: Based on the satisfactory test results and compliance with standards, BIS decides whether to grant certification to the product. If approved, the manufacturer is issued a BIS certification license.
• Regular Monitoring: BIS monitors the manufacturing process of certified products through periodic audits and market surveillance to ensure ongoing compliance with quality control processes and standards.

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BIS certification for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear components is crucial to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of electrical devices used in various applications. Adhering to the standards set by IS/IEC 60947 and its relevant sections is vital for manufacturers and businesses operating in India.

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