60947

60947 is the designation for the IEC 60947 family of international standards governing low-voltage switchgear and controlgear. It covers electrical equipment designed to control, protect, and isolate electrical installations in low-voltage power distribution networks. The series aims to harmonize safety and performance requirements across manufacturers and markets.

The scope generally includes equipment for rated voltages up to 1000 V AC or up to 1500 V DC and rated currents from a few milliamperes to several kiloamperes, used in industrial and commercial installations. The standards specify general rules and detailed performance and safety criteria, including mechanical endurance, electrical reliability, insulation coordination, protection against electric shock, marking, and reliability data.

The 60947 series is organized into multiple parts addressing specific classes of devices. The first part, 60947-1, provides general rules applicable to all parts, while subsequent parts cover particular device families such as circuit-breakers, switches, contactors and motor-starters, relays and timers, and other controlgear components. Compliance with the relevant parts is typically required for products intended for installation in low-voltage distribution systems.

IEC 60947 standards are adopted internationally and are commonly referenced by manufacturers, electrical installers, and inspectors. National adoption or integration into regional standards ensures interoperability and safety in products such as circuit-breakers, contactors, overload relays, and control switches.

Limitations: The 60947 series does not cover high-voltage equipment above 1000 V AC or certain specialized applications, which are governed by other IEC standards. In practice, many jurisdictions require compliance with IEC 60947 as part of broader low-voltage electrical equipment certification.