RATINGS

The common ratings of switchgear and controlgear, including their operating devices and
auxiliary equipment, should be selected from the following:

a) rated voltage (Ur)

b) rated insulation level

c) rated frequency (fr)

d) rated normal current (lr)

e) rated short-time withstand current (Ik)

f) rated peak withstand current (Ip)

g) rated duration of short circuit (tk)

h) rated supply voltage of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary circuits (Ua)

i) rated supply frequency of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary circuits

j) rated pressure of compressed gas supply for insulation or operation.

Rated voltage (Ur)

The rated voltage indicates the upper limit of the highest voltage of systems for which the
switchgear and controlgear is intended. Standard values of rated voltages are given below:

Range I for rated voltages of 245 kV and below

3,6 kV – 7,2 kV – 12 kV – 17,5 kV – 24 kV – 36 kV – 52 kV – 72,5 kV – 100 kV – 123 kV – 145 kV −

170 kV – 245 kV.

Range II for rated voltages above 245 kV

300 kV – 362 kV – 420 kV – 550 kV – 800 kV.

Rated insulation level

The rated insulation level of switchgear and controlgear shall be selected from the values given
in tables 1 and 2.

In these tables, the withstand voltage applies at the standardized reference atmosphere
(temperature, pressure and humidity) specified in IEC 60071-1. For special service conditions,
see 2.2.

The rated withstand voltage values for lightning impulse voltage (Up), switching impulse
voltage (Us) (when applicable), and power-frequency voltage (Ud) shall be selected without
crossing the horizontal marked lines. The rated insulation level is specified by the rated
lightning impulse withstand voltage phase to earth.

For most of the rated voltages, several rated insulation levels exist to allow for application of
different performance criteria or overvoltage patterns. The choice should be made considering
the degree of exposure to fast-front and slow-front overvoltages, the type of neutral earthing
of the system and the type of overvoltage limiting devices (see IEC 60071-2).

The "common values" as used in tables 1a and 1b apply to phase-to-earth, between phases
and across the open switching device, if not otherwise specified in this standard. The
withstand voltage values "across the isolating distance" are valid only for the switching devices
where the clearance between open contacts is designed to meet the safety requirements
specified for disconnectors.
Rated frequency (fr)

The standard values of the rated frequency are 16 2/3 Hz, 25 Hz, 50 Hz and 60 Hz.

Rated normal current (Ir)

The rated normal current of switchgear and controlgear is the r.m.s. value of the current which
switchgear and controlgear shall be able to carry continuously under specified conditions of
use and behaviour.

Temperature rise
The temperature rise of any part of switchgear and controlgear at an ambient air temperature
not exceeding 40 °C shall not exceed the temperature-rise limits specified in table 3 under the
conditions specified in the test clauses.
Rated short-time withstand current (Ik)
The r.m.s. value of the current which the switchgear and controlgear can carry in the closed
position during a specified short time under prescribed conditions of use and behaviour.

The standard value of rated short-time withstand current should be selected from the R 10
series specified in IEC 60059, and shall be equal to the short-circuit rating assigned to
switchgear and controlgear.

Rated peak withstand current (Ip)

The peak current associated with the first major loop of the rated short-time withstand current
which switchgear and controlgear can carry in the closed position under prescribed conditions
of use and behaviour.

The rated peak withstand current shall correspond to the rated frequency. For a rated
frequency of 50 Hz and below it is equal to 2,5 times the rated short-time withstand current,
and for a rated frequency of 60 Hz it is equal to 2,6 times the rated short-time withstand
current.

Rated duration of short circuit (tk)

The interval of time for which switchgear and controlgear can carry, in the closed position, a
current equal to its rated short-time withstand current.

The standard value of rated duration of short circuit is 1 s. If it is necessary, a value lower or
higher than 1 s may be chosen.

Rated supply voltage of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary and control circuits (Ua)

The supply voltage of closing and opening devices and auxiliary and control circuits shall be
understood to mean the voltage measured at the circuit terminals of the apparatus itself
during its operation, including, if necessary, the auxiliary resistors or accessories supplied or
required by the manufacturer to be installed in series with it, but not including the conductors
for the connection to the electricity supply.

The supply system should preferably be referenced to earth in order to avoid the accumulation
of dangerous static voltages. The location of the earthing point should be defined according to
good practice.

The rated supply voltage should be selected from the standard values given in tables 14 and
15. The values marked with an asterisk are preferred values for electronic auxiliary equipment.
The relative tolerance of a.c. and d.c. power supply in normal duty measured at the input of
the auxiliary equipment (electronic controls, supervision, monitoring and communication) is 85
% to 110 %.

Rated supply frequency of closing and opening devices and of auxiliary circuits

The standard values of rated supply frequency are DC, 50 Hz and 60 Hz.

Rated pressure of compressed gas supply for insulation and/or operation

The standard values of rated pressure are:

0,5 MPa – 1 MPa – 1,6 MPa – 2 MPa – 3 MPa – 4 MPa,

unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.