Standards:

By and large, safety related product aspects regulate the import and 3 installation of 

electrical equipment. The basic premise is: The safety and health of direct users or third parties

cannot be compromised and endangered by the manner in which the equipment is meant to be

operated, nor should any anticipated mis-application of the product be overlooked in its design and

in the end-use for which it is intended.

The basis of safety standards with respect to electrical equipment is safeguarding against

potential life threatening dangers such as:

• Electrical shocks involving exposure to dangerous voltage levels, 

• Fires resulting from abnormally high temperatures,

• Bodily injuries related to moving parts, sharp edges, unstable assemblies, hot surfaces,

• Chemical hazards emanating from unintended release of health injurious materials

• Exposure to radiation 

Thus, the safety standards see to it that established engineering principles and sound

protective requirements are put in place:

• Suitably designed and dimensioned electrical energy distribution networks.

• Protection against indirect contact with live parts,

• Fundamentally sound equipment design criteria and appropriate construction materials, 

• Provisions against radiation exposure.

The electrical and constructive safety aspects of adjustable speed drive systems are

established by conformity with the product standards IEC 61800-5-1 (Adjustable speed electrical

power drive systems – Part 5-1: Safety requirements – Electrical, thermal and energy) and UL508C

(Power Conversion Equipment). UL/IEC 61800-5-1, a planned harmonized version of both

documents, will help establish a uniform and globally accepted standard for the future

The IEC publishes global standards in which the minimum safety requirements for electrical

equipment are established. The technical details and constructive solutions to meet these

requirements are the responsibility of the manufacturer.

The CE-Mark placed on equipment and its packaging provides verification of its conformity

with the relevant IEC standards. The mark enables unimpeded access of this equipment in markets

throughout the European economical community (EEA = European Economic Area). The

manufacturer must provide to this effect a Declaration of Conformity, which serves as confirmation

that all of the requirements pertaining to the product under its assigned directive have been met in

full.

Reference: AC Variable speed drive systems for the North American market, Eaton Corporation

Electrical Sector – EMEA, Eaton Industries GmbH

 

REFERENCED NEMA STANDARDS:

1.  MG1-1998 Motors and Generators

  Part 30 Application Considerations For Constant Speed Motors Used On A Sinusoidal Bus

With Harmonic Content And General Purpose Motors Used With Adjustable - Voltage Or

Adjustable - Frequency Controls Or Both provides information for NEMA Design A and B

motors that are covered in MG1 Part 12 Test and Performance—AC and DC Motors and Part

20 Large Machines—Induction Motors, when used with adjustable voltage or frequency

controls, as indicated in the Scope of Part 30. It also defines terms, performance

considerations, and sets limits for which these general-purpose motors are suitable for

operation.

  Part 31 Definite-Purpose Inverter-Fed Motors defines a definite-purpose motor specifically

designed for operation with adjustable frequency controls. Part 31 gives the minimum

performance standards that apply to this type of motor.

2.  ICS 7 -1993 Industrial Control and Systems Adjustable-Speed Drives

  NEMA Standards Publication ICS 7 provides practical information concerning ratings,

construction, test, performance and manufacture of industrial control equipment. These

standards are used by the electrical industry to provide guidelines for the manufacture and

proper application of reliable products and equipment and to promote the benefits of 

repetitive manufacturing and widespread product availability.

3. 

ICS 7.1-1995 Safety Standards for Construction and Guide for Selection, Installation, and

Operation of Adjustable Speed Drive Systems

  NEMA Standards Publication ICS 7.1 defines the construction and test requirements for

adjustable-speed drive systems. It also provides recommendations for their selection,

installation and operation in such a manner as to provide for the practical safeguarding of 

persons.

4. 

NEMA 250-1996 Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum)

  NEMA Standards Publication 250 covers enclosures for electrical equipment rated not more

than 1000 volts. It provides descriptions, features, and test criteria for hazardous (classified)

locations and non-hazardous location enclosures.