The basics of device circuit breakers | Standards and approvals
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Standards and approvals
Different standards are important when using circuit breakers . In general , this is based on the different markets and industries where the products are being used . The IEC / EN standards are first and foremost in the European market . The American market specifies compliance with UL standards . For shipbuilding , for example , the pertinent shipping approvals are likewise required . These depend on the requirements of the customer .
7.1 European standards
The IEC / EN 60898 standard covers miniature circuit breakers for building installations and similar purposes . Conventional miniature circuit breakers have a high shutoff capacity of up to
5 to 6 kA . This shutoff capacity is not needed for switching devices , however . Device circuit breakers in accordance with IEC / EN 60934 are used in this case . Since there is no need for a particularly high shutoff capacity , the design is significantly smaller , which brings a number of advantages along with it .
7.2 American standards
It is very important to many European machine building and systems manufacturers to use devices that have already been UL tested and listed in some way . Ideally , the devices used should be UL Listed or listed as components ( UL Recognized ). That makes any potential export simpler , because the machine can be used in Europe and in the USA without problems . If the devices are only UL Recognized , they can be installed in a control cabinet or the like , which can then be submitted to be UL Listed as a complete system . On the other hand , if a device is UL Listed , it can be used as a single component / device . UL Listing is accepted in Canada for the most part , so that the country-specific CSA approval is not absolutely necessary .
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