IEC TS 61936-0:2023

Overview

IEC TS 61936-0:2023 - "Power installations exceeding 1 kV AC and 1,5 kV DC - Part 0" sets out high‑level principles to be observed in the design and erection of high‑voltage (HV) installations. Its primary aim is to ensure coherence across HV publications and to guide the coordination of design, equipment selection, operation and maintenance so that the safety of persons, domestic animals, livestock and property is maintained. This Technical Specification is intended mainly for technical committees preparing standards with safety aspects for HV installations.

Key topics and technical requirements

The document defines principles and topics that technical standards and practitioners should address, including:

• General requirements for design, construction, operation and maintenance to ensure safe HV systems and coherent application across standards.
• Protection against electric shock
  • Basic protection (direct contact) and fault protection (indirect contact)
  • Protective provisions: manual and automatic disconnection, independent protective provisions, and equipotential bonding
  • Measures to limit touch voltage and provide safe access (arm’s reach considerations)
• Protection against thermal hazards
  • Overload and short‑circuit protection
  • Arc‑fault recognition and mitigation
  • Fire hazard considerations for HV equipment and cabling
• Protection against mechanical hazards
  • Design loads, sources of mechanical stress, and withstanding arc‑fault/explosion effects
• Voltage and frequency deviation protection
  • Overvoltage withstand and protective measures, undervoltage and frequency abnormality handling
• Interactions with other infrastructure
  • Induced potentials to telecommunications and other nearby systems
  • Considerations for electric and magnetic fields
• Marking, labelling and maintainability
  • Danger signs, terminal identification and provisions to ensure safe operation and maintenance

Practical applications and users

IEC TS 61936-0:2023 is used to:

• Provide a framework for technical committees (IEC/ISO and national bodies) when drafting HV equipment and installation standards.
• Guide system engineers, HV designers and consultants in establishing coherent safety principles across projects.
• Inform utilities, substation designers, EPC contractors, asset owners and safety assessors about the safety principles to be reflected in detailed design and operational procedures.
• Support manufacturers and testing bodies by clarifying expectations for protection, labelling and maintainability in the wider HV standards ecosystem.

Related standards (examples)

The Technical Specification references and complements other IEC documents such as:

• IEC 60071 (insulation coordination)
• IEC 60445 (marking and identification)
• IEC 60529 (IP Codes)
• IEC TR 60479-5 (touch voltage effects)
• Other parts of the IEC 61936 series

Keywords: IEC TS 61936-0:2023, high voltage installations, HV safety, insulation coordination, protection against electric shock, arc fault, equipotential bonding, high‑voltage design.