Edgar Dullni

Mechanical
interlock test

SC 17C general meeting

December 2015
Kista

 The interlocking tests on switchgear and

controlgear acc to IEC 62271-200 Ed. 2 are not
defined in all details and may lead to uncertainty
with respect to the test procedure.
Some testing authorities always apply 750 N to the
operating shaft when the interlock is blocking the
shaft (clause 6.102.2), though the operating shaft
may require far lower operating forces in particular
for multi-turn mechanisms.

Since clause 5.104 of IEC 62271-200 refers to IEC

62271-102 (e.g. when a removable part is intended to
be moved more often), IEC 62271-200 and IEC 62271102 should have the same requirements on
operating forces and perhaps also on interlock
testing forces.

 Clause 5.11 (new):

If mechanical interlocking devices are provided blocking
the operating shaft, they shall be designed to withstand:
during manual-operation, 3 times the maximum forces
given for manual operation in 5.105*) (without considering
peak values) or, if a strain limiting device is present, to 1,5
times its limiting value.

In the moment, IEC 62271-102 excludes disconnectors and

earthing switches covered by switchgear and controlgear
assembly standards (e.g. IEC 62271-200, IEC 62271-201 and
IEC 62271-203) from these requirements.

The question is whether such a cross-reference is appropriate or

should rather be removed from both standards.
*) Text provided at the end of the presentation

 Clause 6.102.2: Mechanical and electromechanical

interlocks
During the tests double the normal forces shall be employed,
except that in the case of an interlock blocking the operating
shaft, a prospective force of 750 N shall be applied halfway
along the length of the gripping part of the operating handle.

This requirement does not consider different applicable operating

forces for switching device requiring one revolution or more than
one revolution (multi-turn) for its operation.

IEC 62271-102 provides operating forces:

for one turn devices 250 N up to 450 N peak over 15

for multi-turn devices 60 N up to 120 N peak over 10%

 Shall the applicable force to test an interlock blocking the

operating shaft be always 750 N irrespective of the
actually required operating forces being below 60 N for
multi-turn devices?
Or should the applicable test force be proportional to the
operating force?

Factor to be determined in correspondence to 2nd CD of IEC

62271-102 cl. 5.11, for example?

Shall the requirements and procedures for the test of

interlocks in IEC 62271-200 be revised in general?

Work could be performed as an amendment.

Should IEC 62271-102 define any interlocking tests, or

should these be a domain of assembly standards?

Edgar Dullni
Mechanical
interlock test

SC 17C general meeting

 Maximum forces for manual operation exerted on an

operating shaft:

Clause 5.105.1:
The force to operate or store energy in a disconnector
requiring more than one revolution (hand crank for
example) shall not be higher than 60 N with a possible
peak of 120 N during a maximum of 10 % of the total
required revolutions.

Clause 5.105.2:
The force to operate or store energy in a disconnector
requiring up to one revolution (swing lever for
example) should not exceed 250 N. A peak value of 450
N is accepted during a rotation of 15 maximum.