REQUIREMENTSSafety critical components must comply with the relevant
safety standard for that component. For European approvals the relevant standard is IEC 61058-1.
DESIGN TIPS
IEC 60950 requires that mains operated equipment have a disconnect device. It may be the product's plug, or an appliance inlet or some other means of fully disconnecting
the product from the supply. If you intend that the mains switch is the disconnect device, then it must be a double pole switch, i.e. it must disconnect both phase and neutral.
For the USA and Canada, vertically mounted disconnect switches and circuit breakers must be oriented so up position of handle is the "on" position.
Unless a switch is custom designed, the only practical option is to use a mains switch which already has the relevant safety approvals. Make sure the mains switch has
the approvals you need for your target markets (see Submitting a product to a Test House for Approval)
.If you plan to submit your product to a Test House, you will probably be required to submit a copy of the safety
approval license of the mains switch together with your product. The Test House needs the certificate to authenticate the approval and to ensure that you use the
mains switch in accordance with any Conditions of Acceptability which may be specified as part of the approval. The supplier of your mains switch should be able to get you a copy of the license.
MANUFACTURERSYou can get information on Mains Switches from the following list of manufacturers.
ArcolectricBulgin
The list of manufacturers is given as a service for your convenience. It does not imply i-Spec's recommendation of any particular manufacturer or component. Manufacturers
wishing to be added to this list are requested to contact us.
REFERENCE
Complete requirements are given in IEC 60950, Clause 1.5
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