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Type testing avoidance puts lives at risk01 July 2008Electrical equipment safety standards and checks have never been more important or more stringently carried out. However, it seems that panel builders, architects and building consultants may be risking severe consequences by overlooking a specific electrical assembly safety standard - the ‘Type Test’. Dave Holcroft, reportsIndividual electrical components such as low voltage circuit breakers all have strict safety standards to which companies must comply in their manufacture. These standards ensure that the component is safe, efficient and suitable for integration into a larger electrical assembly - a low voltage switch board, for example.
Once a component has been tested and meets all of its relevant product standards (IEC60947-2 for low voltage circuit breakers) and health and safety standards, the component is awarded a CE mark. Large manufacturers of such equipment invest heavily to ensure that individual electrical components achieve this level of compliance.
The situation becomes slightly more complicated when components are purchased by independent panel builders. The process of safety standard compliance is equally as important when panel builders take individual components and install them into a low voltage assembly (for example a switchboard). These switchboards are used frequently to power up a variety of buildings from office blocks to banks and even hospitals. One of the documents that should accompany each compliant assembly is the Technical Construction File (TCF), and an important part of this document is the completed Type Test, specifically detailing performance of the individual elements of the manufacturer’s assembly.
Independent assessment
The Type Test takes place in an independent laboratory and includes elements such as temperature rise or thermal tests, short circuit, electromagnetic compatibility, dielectric, creepage & clearance, ingress protection and mechanical operation tests, all of which have to be passed in order to achieve certification.
Since their introduction, Type Tests have created a number of issues for panel builders. In order to complete one, a panel builder must produce a panel, which is submitted to an independent testing facility for analysis. This process is time consuming, draws manpower away from daily work routine and, in most cases, can involve significant financial investment, all of which must be met by the panel builder. The task of preparing the prototype panel is thus a significant drain on resources.
Herein lies the problem. Independent panel manufacturers often do not have the capital or the manpower necessary to produce a panel for Type Test checks. Whilst avoidance of the Type Test seems on the surface a more financially viable option, particularly when there are customers who will purchase panels without the complete TCF document, the potential consequences of not carrying out these tests far outweigh any initial investment.
Without the ability to demonstrate assembly compliance, in the event of product failure, the company in question could invalidate their insurance policy. Furthermore, in the event of injury or death as a result of product failure both the manufacturer/panel builder and consumer could face criminal charges under Corporate Manslaughter legislation.
Architects, building consultants and design engineers all have a role to play. They must begin to acknowledge that by consuming products without the relevant Type Test certificate, they are putting people at risk, not to mention potentially damaging the reputation of their company.
Manufacturers such as Siemens are happy to support activities in this area in order to ensure a panel is built to specification for the relevant Type Test procedures, since Type Testing is an irrefutable necessity. However, it is important that companies act quickly to rectify this problem. The potential for companies to lose their trading status or worse, cause loss of life due to faulty equipment, will continue to remain high if drastic steps are not taken to ensure all low voltage switchboards and products alike adhere to the relevant safety standard.
- Dave Holcroft is product manager, power distribution at Siemens Automation and Drives Contact Details and Archive...Related Articles...Most Viewed Articles... |
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