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INFO HUB

AS/ANZ 61439
Compliance

 
B-and-R_Compliance_cmyk 61439

Certified enclosure systems designed to simplify compliance, improve safety, and support modern switchboard construction.

What is AS/ANZ 61439

 

AS/NZS 61439 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies.

It replaced AS/NZS 3439 in 2021 and aligns with international IEC 61439 standards. The standard is also referenced in the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules.

Why the change

 

AS/NZS 61439 was introduced to improve the safety, reliability, and performance of low-voltage assemblies. The standard provides clearer verification requirements, reduces ambiguity from older standards, and helps minimise the risk of faults, downtime, and safety hazards.

Arc fault testing Switchboards

Who must comply

 

All switchboards must meet AS/NZS 61439 except those rated at 125A or below and with a short-circuit rating of 10kA or less. These smaller boards are exempt but must still comply with AS/NZS 3000. Regional authorities may have their own variations, so always check local requirements.

How to achieve compliance

 

Every assembly must meet or exceed the standard’s construction and performance requirements. Compliance is verified across 13 design and performance characteristics outlined in Annex D, Table D1 of the standard.

Verification methods

 

By Test

Physical testing of an assembly or components to prove they meet performance criteria.

By Comparison

Matching to an already tested and verified reference design.

By Assessment

Verification through design rules, calculations, and proven engineering principles.

Arc Fault Containment

 
Warning

Arc fault containment is not mandatory under AS/NZS 61439. It is addressed in informative Appendix ZC and does not include arc flash PPE requirements.

Where testing is undertaken, Appendix ZD provides guidance for assessing a switchboard’s ability to limit risk. However, actual arc fault events can vary significantly and are not always fully repeatable.

B&R provides fully compliant, certified enclosures that meet AS/ANZ 61439 requirements, engineered for durability, precision and peace of mind in every installation. 

Need help selecting a compliant enclosure system? Use our handy product table below:

AS/ANZ Product Table

 
Signature SE

The Miner ME is designed to be used in underground for 1000 Volt applications. It’s made from 2mm thick steel with polyester paint to provide superior protection and visibility.

NoCharacteristic to be CheckedClauseResponsibilityComments
1Strength of material and parts:10.2
Resistance to corrosion  10.2.2Original ManufacturerThe Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series of enclosures are made from steel and stainless steel and as such exceed standards requirements. Comparative testing done, Plus ES report; 103687.
Thermal stability (relates to non-metal enclosures)  10.2.3.1Original ManufacturerThis clause refers mainly to plastic enclosures.
Resistance to abnormal heat and fire (due to internal electric effect)  10.2.3.2Original ManufacturerThe Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series of enclosures are provided as a basic empty enclosure however all insulating materials if supplied have been tested to 960ºC glow-wire Standard. Plus ES report; 103863.
Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation  10.2.4Original ManufacturerUV ratings refer mainly to plastic enclosures however metal Powder-coat painted enclosures incorporates UV stabilization. Report; AksoNobel 20LSR178
Lifting  10.2.5Original ManufacturerLifting is verified by test, if required. Generally this relates to larger switchboards to which lifting means (lugs) which the Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series are not provided with.
Mechanical Impact  10.2.6Original ManufacturerIK10; Metal enclosure systems have been tested to exceed IK10 (20 Joules).
Marking  10.2.7Assembly ManufacturerMarkings must be verified by test. Tests are performed by rubbing with water and petroleum spirits; generally done by the Switchboard Builder (Assembler).
2Degree of protection of enclosures (IP)10.3Original ManufacturerIP66; Ingress Protection (IP) rating needs to be verified by test or by assessment. The Miner ME Series have been tested to IP66 while Hedland PH and Finucane FI are compliant by assessment. SIMTARS report; NE99/0035
3Clearances10.4Assembly ManufacturerClearance and creepage can only be verified by test. Switchboard Builders (Assembler) must maintain compliance by ensuring correct clearance and creepage distances are maintained at >8mm (Uimp=8kV) and >16mm (Ui=1kV) respectively.
4Creepage distances10.4Assembly Manufacturer
5Protection against electric shock and integrity of protective circuits10.5
Effective continuity between the exposed conductive parts of the ASSEMBLY and the protective circuit   10.5.2Assembly ManufacturerEquipotential protective earth bonding points are required to be verified by test to less than 0.1ohm.
Short-circuit withstand strength of the protective circuit   10.5.3Original ManufacturerThe Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series are generally understood to be fitted with equipment making the switchboard not exceed 10kA prospective short-circuit withstand rating (Icp).
6Incorporation of switching devices and components10.6Assembly ManufacturerPoints 6, 7 and 8 are largely the responsibility of the Switchboard builder (Assembler). It is a requirement that the Assembler follow guidance from the original manufacturer. The advice of original manufacturers such as B&R and switchgear manufacturers, needs to be adhered to. Switchboard Builders need to be aware of the StandardÂ’s requirements for these verification points and incorporate these into complete design verification documentation.
7Internal electrical circuits and connections10.7Assembly Manufacturer
8Terminals for external conductors10.8Assembly Manufacturer
9Dielectric Properties10.9
Power-frequency withstand voltage  10.9.2Original ManufacturerThe Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series of enclosures are provided as a basic empty enclosure and as such dielectric property verification has not been possible as internal configurations are not known. Dielectric properties need to be verified by Impulse withstand testing or by clearances and creapages assessment.
Impulse withstand voltage  10.9.3Original Manufacturer
10Temperature-rise limits10.1Assembly ManufacturerTemperature-rise can be determined by test or by comparison or by calculation. Temperature rise methods provided in AS/NZS 60890 can be used for switchboards not exceeding 1600A rating. The Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series of enclosures are rated for use under 1600A and therefore AS/NZS 60890 should be used by the Designer.
11Short circuit withstand strength10.11Original ManufacturerThe Hedland PH, Finucane FI and Miner ME Series are generally understood to be fitted with equipment making the switchboard not exceed 10kA prospective short-circuit withstand rating (Icp).
12Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)10.12Original Equipment ManufacturerEquipment installed in switchboards shall comply with the immunity requirements of the relevant product or generic EMC standard. The Switchboard builder (assembler) shall obtain from the device and or component manufacturer the specific performance criteria of the equipment based on the acceptance criteria given in the relevant standard.
13Mechanical operation10.13Original Equipment ManufacturerThis verification testing need NOT be done on devices already been type tested according to their relevant product standard. Only if their mechanical operation has been modified does the assembly need to be retested by cycling it 200 times.

Original Manufacturer* – Switchboard designer and manufacturer of the switchboard enclosure.
Assembly Manufacturer* – A switchboard builder.
Original Equipment Manufacturer – The company who manufactured the switchgear used in final assembly.

*The original manufacturer and assembly manufacturer can be the same company or different companies.