Technical Series

Electrical
installation guide
According to IEC International Standards

2007
http://theguide.schneider-electric.com

This guide has been written for electrical Engineers who have to
design, realize, inspect or maintain electrical installations in compliance
with international Standards of the International Electrotechnical
Commission(IEC).
Which technical solution will guarantee that all relevant safety rules are
met? This question has been a permanent guideline for the elaboration of
this document.
An international Standard such as the IEC60364 Electrical Installation
in Buldings specifies extensively the rules to comply with to ensure
safety and predicted operational characteristics for all types of electrical
installations. As the Standard must be extensive, and has to be applicable
to all types of products and the technical solutions in use worldwide, the
text of the IEC rules is complex, and not presented in a ready-to-use order.
The Standard cannot therefore be considered as a working handbook, but
only as a reference document.
The aim of the present guide is to provide a clear, practical and stepby-step explanation for the complete study of an electrical installation,
according to IEC 60364 and other relevant IEC Standards. Therefore, the
first chapter (B) presents the methodology to be used, and each chapter
deals with one out of the eight steps of the study. The two last chapter are
devoted to particular supply sources, loads and locations, and appendix
provides additional information. Special attention must be paid to the
EMCappendix, which is based on the broad and practical experience on
electromagnetic compatibility problems.
We all hope that you, the user, will find this handbook genuinely helpful.
Schneider Electric S.A.

This technical guide is the result of

a collective effort.
Technical advisor:
Serge Volut - Jacques Schonek
Illustrations and production:
AXESS - Valence -France
Printing:
Les Deux Ponts - France
Edition
January 2007
Price: 90

The Electrical Installation Guide is a single document covering the

techniques, regulations and standards related to electrical installations.
Itis intended for electrical professionals in companies, design offices,
inspection organisations, etc.
Electrical equipment should be serviced only by qualified electrical
maintenance personnel, and this document should not be viewed as
sufficient instructions for those who are not otherwise qualified to operate,
service or maintain the equipment discussed. Although reasonable care
has been taken to provide accurate and authoritative information in this
document, no responsibility is assumed by Schneider Electric for any
consequences arising from the use of this material.
This new edition has been published to take into account changes in
techniques, standards and regulations, in particular electrical installation
standard IEC60364.
We thank all the readers of the previous edition of this guide for their
comments that have helped improve the current edition.
We also thank the many people and organisations, to numerous to name
here, who have contributed in one way or another to the preparation of this
guide.

Foreword
Roland Talon, Chairman TC 64 - International Electrotechnical Commission
It is generally agreed that electrical equipment will provide the best
performance (safety, operation and service life) when it is properly installed,
which includes good co-ordination.
The task of Technical Committee 64 of the IEC (International
Electrotechnical Commission) is to develop and keep up-to-date
requirements for electrical installations. TC64 also has a Safety Pilot
Function for installations, equipment, products and systems. Delegates
from many National Committees work in TC 64, drawn from manufacturers,
laboratories, verification bodies, installers, and electrical power supply
companies...
with the consequence that IEC Standard 60364 is considered as the
definitive document on which to base the design and implementation of an
electrical installation.
Furthermore the electrical environment is increasingly complex, mainly
due to electromagnetic influences and other kinds of disturbances, and the
continuous operation of all equipment supplied by the electrical installation
has become a fundamental requirement.
Consequently designers, installers and consumers need guidance on the
selection and installation of electrical equipment.
With this in mind, Schneider Electric has developed this Electrical
Installation Guide. It has been prepared by engineers from Schneider
Electric who are very experienced in electrical installation technology and
possess excellent knowledge of consumer problems and requirements, and
of IEC Standard 60364 and other relevant IEC standards.
Last but not least, this Electrical Installation Guide has adopted the
IEC Standard 60364 as a basis and as a result facilitates and favours
international trade.
As TC 64 Chairman and formerly the representative of French Electrical
Contractors on TC64, it is my great pleasure and honour to introduce
this guide. I am sure it will prove very useful in the implementation of the
provisions of 60364 and in meeting consumers concerns.

Roland Talon has been with the French Electrical

Contractors Association (FFIE) for 20 years.
He previously worked for electrical contracting
companies. During that period, he was deeply involved
in many international projects.
Roland Talon has been Chairman of IEC TC 64
since2002 as well as chairman of CENELEC TC64.