PD IEC/TS 62257-5:2015

What is PD IEC/TS 62257-5 - Decentralized Rural Electrification Systems about? 

The IEC 62257 series covers various aspects of recommendations for renewable energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification  

PD IEC/TS 62257-5 is the fifth part of the IEC 62257 series that specifies the general requirements for the protection of persons and equipment against electrical hazards to be applied in decentralized rural electrification systems. Requirements dealing with protection against electric shock are based on basic rules from IEC 61140 and IEC 60364. 

Decentralized Rural Electrification Systems (DRES) are designed to supply electric power for sites which are not connected to a large interconnected system, or a national grid, in order to meet basic needs. 

The majority of these sites are: 

• Isolated dwellings 
• Village houses 
• Community services (pumping, health centres, places of worship or cultural activities, administrative buildings, etc.) 
• Economic activities (workshops, micro-industry, etc.) 

The DRE systems fall into three categories: 

• Process electrification systems (for example for pumping) 
• Individual electrification systems (IES) for single users 
• Collective electrification systems (CES) for multiple users 
• Process or individual electrification systems exclusively consist of two subsystems 
• An electric energy generation subsystem 
• The user's electrical installation 
• Collective electrification systems, however, consist of three subsystems: 
• An electric energy generation subsystem 
• A distribution subsystem, also called microgrid 
• User’s electrical installations including interface equipment between the installations and the microgrid 

The general requirements specified in PD IEC/TS 62257-5 should be applied to all the identified categories of DRES. Application to each subsystem of a DRES is dealt within a specific subpart of IEC TS 62257-9. 

Who is PD IEC/TS 62257-5 - Decentralized Rural Electrification Systems for? 

PD IEC/TS 62257-5 on renewable energy and hybrid systems – protection against electrical hazards is useful for: 

• Relevant government / municipal authorities 
• Community leaders 
• Project managers 
• Rural electrification projects developers 
• Rural electrification project implementers 
• Contractors / supervisors / installers 

PD IEC/TS 62257-5 is also relevant for the community for whom the project is implemented. 

Why should you use PD IEC/TS 62257-5 - Decentralized Rural Electrification Systems? 

Hybrid power systems offer solutions for rural electrification where power supply may be inconsistent. PD IEC TS 62257-5 provides you with guidance on renewable energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification products in terms of protection against electrical hazards such as: 

• Electric shock 
• Overcurrent 
• Risk of fire 

Protective aspects such as earthing arrangements have been discussed in detail in PD IEC/TS 62257-5. 

PD IEC TS 62257-5 guidelines are a step towards better, cost-effective, and more sustainable facilities for rural communities. PD IEC TS 62257-5 assists in promoting the use of renewable energies in rural electrification for developing countries. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

PD IEC/TS 62257-5:2015 supersedes DD IEC/TS 62257-5:2005 which is withdrawn. PD IEC/TS 62257-5:2015 includes some technical changes with respect to DD IEC/TS 62257-5:2005. These include: 

• Redefine the maximum AC voltage from 500 V to 1 000 V, the maximum DC voltage from 750 V to 1 500 V 
• Removal of the limitation of 100 kVA system size. Hence the removal of the word “small” in the title and related references in this technical specification