IEC 61439 Explained: What It Means for Low Voltage Panels in Saudi Arabia
A panel that looks perfect on site can still fail the first time a short circuit hits. IEC 61439 exists to prevent exactly that. It is the international standard that defines how low voltage switchboards must be designed, verified, and tested before they carry live load. In Saudi Arabia, most MDB and MCC specifications now start here.
What Is IEC 61439 and Why Does It Matter?
IEC 61439 is a series of standards for low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. In plain terms, it covers the panels that receive, distribute, and control power in buildings and plants.
It applies to assemblies rated up to 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC. That covers nearly every MDB, SMDB, MCC, ATS panel, and PFC panel used in commercial and industrial projects.
The series has several parts. Part 1 sets the general rules. Later parts add requirements for specific assembly types, such as power switchgear, distribution boards operated by ordinary persons, and busbar trunking.
Without a recognized standard, a panel is only as reliable as the fabricator’s word. With the standard, you get a documented and testable basis for comparing suppliers.
IEC 61439-1 vs IEC 61439-2: Which Part Applies to Your Panel?
IEC 61439-1 is the general rules document. It sets out definitions, service conditions, construction requirements, technical characteristics, and verification requirements.
It cannot be used alone to specify an assembly. Every product part refers back to it.
IEC 61439-2 is the product part for power switchgear and controlgear assemblies, often called PSC assemblies. This is the part that governs main distribution boards, main switchboards, and motor control centers.
In practice, you read the two together. Part 1 tells you the common rules, and Part 2 tells you what applies to a power switchboard.
The current edition of both parts dates from 2020. The 2020 update of Part 1 introduced a group rated current for circuits in a loaded assembly and refocused temperature rise verification on it.
It also added requirements for DC and introduced class I and class II assemblies for protection against electric shock.
Need help choosing the right IEC 61439 requirements for your MDB or MCC panel? Contact Al Samman engineers for project-specific guidance.
How IEC 61439 Changed the Rules from IEC 60439
The old IEC 60439 series split panels into Type Tested Assemblies (TTA) and Partially Type Tested Assemblies (PTTA). Manufacturers and test bodies often treated partial testing differently, which created confusion.
The new series removed that split. Every assembly now needs design verification, and there are three accepted ways to achieve it.
The standard also separates two roles. The original manufacturer owns the design of the assembly system, and the assembly manufacturer is accountable for the final panel that ships to site.
That split matters when you buy. You need to know who verified the design and who built the panel.
Requirements for short circuit performance, temperature rise, dielectric properties, and rated diversity factor were also described in much more detail than before.
Three Ways to Prove Design Verification
The standard accepts three equivalent verification routes. The first is physical testing. The second is comparison with a tested reference design using defined design rules. The third is assessment, which includes calculation.
Testing is the most direct proof, and it is the route most consultants prefer for short circuit withstand and temperature rise.
Design rules allow a derived variant to inherit results from a tested design. The variant must belong to the same functional unit group and use the same type of construction.
It must also have the same or larger overall dimensions, the same or reduced internal separation, and the same or reduced power losses.
Calculation has limits. For assemblies with multiple compartments, verification by calculation applies only up to a rated current of 1600 A.
This is why large MDBs rated at 3200 A or 6300 A depend on test evidence or valid design rules, not on a spreadsheet alone.
Design verification is not the end of the process. Every assembly also goes through routine verification before delivery, covering wiring, operation, dielectric checks, and protective circuit integrity.
Need help reading a test report? Send it to Al Samman engineers and we will walk you through it.
Have a panel design or test report to review? Share your project requirements with Al Samman and speak with our electrical panel specialists.
IEC 61439 Design Verification vs Routine Verification
Design verification proves that the panel design meets IEC 61439 requirements, while routine verification checks the completed assembly before delivery. Both are required, but they serve different purposes. Routine checks typically cover wiring, protective circuits, dielectric properties, and functional operation.
Rated Values to Check Before You Approve a Panel
Rated values are where the standard becomes practical. A datasheet that skips them is a warning sign.
Start with rated voltage, rated insulation voltage, and rated impulse withstand voltage. Then check rated current of the assembly and rated frequency.
The short circuit values deserve the most attention. Rated short-time withstand current (Icw) and rated conditional short-circuit current (Icc) must match the fault level at the point of installation.
Rated diversity factor is also worth a look. It tells you how much load the panel can carry when all outgoing circuits run together, and it directly affects busbar and enclosure sizing.
Finally, confirm the degree of protection (IP) and the mechanical impact rating (IK) for the room where the panel will sit.
Short-Circuit Verification Under IEC 61439
Short-circuit verification confirms that the assembly can withstand the fault conditions specified for the installation. Check the rated short-time withstand current (Icw), conditional short-circuit current (Icc), and peak withstand current against the project’s available fault level.
IEC 61439 Busbar Requirements for MDBs and MCCs
Busbars are central to MDB and MCC performance. Their current rating, temperature rise, insulation, spacing, and short-circuit withstand capability must match the assembly design. Busbar sizing should therefore be verified as part of the complete IEC assembly, not treated as a separate calculation.
Forms of Internal Separation Under IEC 61439
Internal separation decides how safely a panel can be maintained while other circuits stay live. The forms are numbered from 1 to 4.
Form 1 has no internal separation, so maintenance usually needs a full shutdown. Form 2 separates the busbars from the functional units.
Form 3 adds separation between functional units. Form 4 goes further and separates the terminals of each unit as well, which suits hospitals, banks, and other mission-critical sites.
Higher forms cost more, but they reduce downtime and risk. For a facility that cannot go dark, Form 3 or Form 4 is usually the right call.
You can see how these choices work in our main distribution board (MDB) range.
What IEC 61439 Certification Actually Means
The standard is a technical document, not a certificate. What buyers call IE certification is usually two things put together.
The first is a third-party test report or certificate covering the design of the assembly system. The second is the routine test record for the actual panel you are buying.
A supplier who shows only a generic logo or a statement that the panel is compliant has not proven anything. Ask for the reports themselves.
Look for temperature rise, short circuit withstand, and dielectric test results that match the rated values in your specification.
Also check the panel nameplate. It should carry the manufacturer name, the type designation, the standard it complies with, and the rated values.
What Documents Should an IEC 61439 Panel Supplier Provide?
Before approving a supplier, ask for the design verification evidence, routine verification records, technical drawings, rated characteristics, and relevant test reports. The documentation should clearly connect the tested assembly system with the actual MDB, MCC, or distribution panel being supplied.
IEC 61439 PDF: How to Get the Standard the Right Way
Engineers often search for an IEC 61439 PDF to check a clause quickly. The safe source is the IEC webstore or your national standards body, both of which sell official PDF copies.
Free copies on file-sharing sites are often outdated or incomplete. Since the 2011 and 2020 editions differ, a wrong edition can send you to the wrong requirement.
The same applies to any IEC 61439-2 pdf you find online. Buy Part 1 and Part 2 together, because Part 2 cannot be applied without Part 1.
If you write specifications, also look at IEC TR 61439-0. This technical report gives guidance on how to specify assemblies, and it helps you fill the gaps that cause disputes later.
Why Saudi Climate Makes Temperature Rise Critical
The standard assumes indoor service conditions where ambient air does not exceed 40 °C, with a 24 hour average of no more than 35 °C.
Many electrical rooms in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province run hotter than that during summer, especially where ventilation is weak.
When ambient temperature rises, the current a panel can carry safely drops. If your project conditions exceed the reference values, ask the supplier for derating data before you approve the design.
Dust is the second issue. A correct IP rating, verified under the standard, keeps fine sand away from busbars and protective devices.
How to Check That a Supplier Really Follows IEC- 61439
Start with documents, not promises. A serious manufacturer can supply design verification evidence, routine test reports, and a full bill of materials on request.
Ask who the original manufacturer is. If the assembler uses a third-party system design, the assembler must follow that system’s instructions exactly.
Review the single-line diagram against the rated values. The busbar rating, Icw, and form of separation should all trace back to your specification.
Confirm compliance with Saudi requirements too. SASO conformity and the electrical provisions of the Saudi Building Code apply alongside the international standard, not instead of it.
Finally, visit the factory if the project is large. A tidy workshop, controlled torque records, and a proper test area tell you more than a brochure.
Planning a low voltage panel project in Saudi Arabia? Talk to Al Samman about IEC 61439-compliant MDB, MCC, ATS, and distribution panel solutions.
IEC 61439 Compliance in Saudi Arabia
For projects in Saudi Arabia, IEC compliance should be reviewed alongside applicable SASO requirements, Saudi Building Code provisions, and project specifications. Consultant requirements may also define additional ratings, enclosure conditions, internal separation, or testing documentation needed for panel approval.
How Al Samman Builds Panels to IEC 61439
Al Samman has manufactured low voltage panels in Saudi Arabia since 1973. Our panels are engineered and fabricated in-house in Riyadh, built to SASO standards and the same verification principles, and backed by ISO 9001:2015 quality management.
We supply MDB, ATS, EMDB, DB, lighting panels, PFC panels, MCC, and synchronization panels, each with complete testing documentation.
Our projects include AlRajhi Bank, the Madinah Entertainment Complex MCC, Al-Bashri Schools in Makkah, Hilton Double Tree, Holiday Inn Riyadh, Alothaim Mall, and Hai Al Jamaa Hospital.
Explore the projects portfolio to see the panel types we deliver.
Planning a project? Share your single-line diagram through our contact page and our engineers will review it.
FAQ
What are IEC 61439 standards?
IEC 61439 is a series of international standards for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. It defines requirements for the design, construction, performance, and verification of assemblies rated up to 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC. The series is used for equipment such as MDBs, MCCs, distribution boards, and other low-voltage assemblies.
IEC 61439-1 provides the general rules, while IEC 61439-2 covers power switchgear and controlgear assemblies. The applicable product part should be used together with Part 1.
What is the difference between IEC 60439 vs IEC 61439?
IEC 61439 replaced the IEC 60439 series as the standard framework for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. One of the major changes was the replacement of the older Type Tested Assembly (TTA) and Partially Type Tested Assembly (PTTA) approach with a design verification system.
Under IEC 61439, the assembly design must be verified using testing, comparison with a verified reference design, or assessment, where permitted by the standard. The standard also clearly distinguishes the responsibilities of the original manufacturer and the assembly manufacturer.
Is IEC 60439 still valid?
IEC 60439 has been superseded by the IEC 61439 series for the assemblies covered by the newer standards. IEC 61439 should therefore be used for new low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly specifications unless a project or applicable regulatory document explicitly requires a legacy IEC 60439 reference.
When reviewing older drawings, specifications, or test reports, it is important to check which edition and standard the documentation was based on before treating it as evidence of IEC 61439 compliance.
Is IEC 61439 a PDF?
No. IEC 61439 is a series of technical standards, not a PDF file itself. The standards are published documents that are available in official electronic formats, including PDF, through the IEC Webstore and relevant national standards bodies.
The series contains several parts. For example, IEC 61439-1 provides the general rules, while IEC 61439-2 contains the specific requirements for power switchgear and controlgear assemblies. When specifying or verifying a panel, make sure you are working from the applicable current edition rather than an outdated or unofficial copy.
What is the difference between IEC 61439 Part 1 and Part 2?
IEC 61439-1 contains the general rules and verification principles applicable to low-voltage assemblies. IEC 61439-2 adds the specific requirements for power switchgear and controlgear assemblies, including many MDB and MCC applications.
Part 2 is not normally used independently. The requirements of Part 1 and the applicable product-specific part need to be considered together.
What is the difference between design verification and routine verification under IEC 61439?
Design verification demonstrates that the assembly design meets the applicable IEC 61439 requirements. It can be achieved through testing, comparison with a verified reference design, or assessment where permitted.
Routine verification is performed on each completed assembly before delivery. It checks that the individual panel has been manufactured and assembled correctly, including relevant wiring, protective circuits, dielectric properties, and functional requirements.
Is IEC 61439 certification mandatory in Saudi Arabia?
The exact requirements depend on the project specification, applicable Saudi regulations, consultant requirements, and the type of installation. In Saudi Arabia, IEC 61439 requirements may be specified alongside applicable SASO requirements and Saudi Building Code provisions.
Always check the project’s approved specifications and authority requirements to determine the exact compliance and documentation required for the panel.
Does a tested IEC 61439 design mean that every panel is compliant?
No. Design verification applies to the assembly design or assembly system. Each completed panel must also undergo routine verification to confirm that it has been manufactured and assembled in accordance with the verified design and applicable requirements.
Where can I find the IEC 61439 PDF?
Official copies of IEC 61439 documents can be obtained through the IEC Webstore or the relevant national standards body. When purchasing or reviewing the standard, check the exact part and edition required for the project.
For MDB and MCC applications, IEC 61439-1 and IEC 61439-2 are particularly relevant, while other parts of the series apply to different types of assemblies.