BS EN IEC 62271-110:2018

What is BS EN IEC 62271-110‒Inductive load switching about? 

BS EN IEC 62271-110 is a part of an international multi-series standard that covers general specifications for high-voltage switchgear and control gear. 

BS EN IEC 62271-110 is applicable to AC switching devices designed for indoor or outdoor installation, for operation at frequencies of 50 Hz and 60 Hz. It applies to systems having voltages above 1000 V and is applied for inductive current switching.  

BS EN IEC 62271-110 is applicable to switching devices (including circuit-breakers) that are used to switch high-voltage motor currents and shunt reactor currents and also to high-voltage contactors used to switch high-voltage motor currents.  

BS EN IEC 62271-110 gives specifications such as terms, definitions, type tests like high-voltage motor current switching tests, shunt reactor current switching tests, etc. for the inductive load switching. 

Note 1: Switching unloaded transformers, i.e., breaking transformer magnetizing current, is not considered in BS EN IEC 62271-110. 

Who is BS EN IEC 62271-110‒Inductive load switching for? 

BS EN IEC 62271-110 on inductive load switching is useful for: 

• Manufacturers and suppliers of AC switching devices  
• Dealers and distributors of AC switching devices 
• Designers and developers of AC switching devices 
• Test/ service providers for AC switching devices 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 62271-110‒Inductive load switching? 

AC switching devices are nothing, but active switchable power semiconductor drivers combined together to be integrated into one. Inductive load switching possesses reactive load elements and inductive elements, that use metal windings to generate inductive fields. 

BS EN IEC 62271-110 contains the detailed type test methods and specifications for alternating current switching devices that use an inductive load for switching purposes, complying with the international standard. It gives you inductive current switching tests for a particular current level and type of application to determine a re-ignition-free arcing time window for controlled switching purposes.   

BS EN IEC 62271-110 gives you the tests methods to verify the ability of a switching device to switch motors and to establish its behavior with respect to switching overvoltage, re-ignitions, and current chopping. These characteristics could help you to serve as a basis for estimating the performance of an inductive load switching device in different motor circuits too. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 62271-110:2018 supersedes BS EN 62271-110:2012, which is withdrawn. 

BS EN IEC 62271-110:2018 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: 

• All switching devices are now covered, not only circuit-breakers 
• A limited number of T10 tests no longer covers shunt-reactor switching tests below 52 kV 
• Evaluation and reporting of a re-ignition-free arcing time window has been added