BS EN IEC 60071-1:2019

What is BS EN IEC 60071-1-Principles and rules of insulation co-ordination about? 

BS EN IEC 60071 is an international standard that discusses insulation co-ordination. The main objective of the BS EN IEC 60071-1 series is to ensure insulation systems offer the required levels of quality and performance. 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 is the first part in the series that applies to three-phase AC systems having the highest voltage for equipment above 1 kV. It specifies the procedure for the selection of the rated withstand voltages for the phase-to-earth, phase-to-phase, and longitudinal insulation of the equipment and the installations of these systems. 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 describes that the selected withstand voltages are associated with the highest voltage for equipment. This association is for insulation co-ordination purposes only. 

NOTE: In IEC 60071-2, all rules for insulation co-ordination given in this document are justified in detail, in particular, the association of the standard rated withstand voltages with the highest voltage for equipment. When more than one set of standard rated withstand voltages is associated with the same highest voltage for equipment, guidance is provided for the selection of the most suitable set. 

Who is BS EN IEC 60071-1- Principles and rules of insulation co-ordination for? 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 on insulation co-ordination is relevant to: 

• Power management and energy distribution companies 
• Electric and electronic component and equipment manufacturer 
• Companies involved with earthing, overload and lightening protection systems 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 60071-1-Principles and rules of insulation co-ordination? 

Insulation co-ordination is the technique that specifies the selection of the dielectric strength of equipment in relation to the operating voltages and over voltages that can appear on the system for which the equipment is intended, and taking into account the service environment and the characteristics of the available preventing and protective devices 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 specifies that the principles also apply to transmission line insulation, the values of their withstand voltages can be different from the standard rated withstand voltages. 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 covers short-duration power-frequency voltage tests: 

• Switching impulse tests 
• Lightning impulse tests 
• Combined switching impulse tests 
• Combined voltage tests 

BS EN IEC 60071-1 helps measure the ability of an insulation system to withstand high surge voltage and describes the correlation between standard rated lightning impulse withstand voltages and minimum air clearances. 

Adopting these principles and guidelines under BS EN IEC 60071-1 can help ensure high-voltage installations impart the required level of electrical insulation, dielectric strength so as to maintain overall system integrity.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 60071-1:2019 Supersedes BS EN 60071‑1:2006+A1:2010, which is withdrawn. The main changes as compared to the previous edition are as follows: 

• All references are updated to current IEC standards, and the bibliography is deleted 
• Some definitions are clarified in order to avoid overlapping and ensure a clear understanding 
• Letter symbols are changed and corrected in order to keep the consistent with relevant IEC standards 
• Some titles are changed to clarify understanding