AS/NZS 61439 Electrical Enclosure Compliance

AS/NZS 61439 applies to low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies not exceeding 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC, including assemblies used for control and automation applications. It defines performance and verification requirements for both one-off custom assemblies and standardised mass-manufactured switchboards, and mandates performance-based testing across mechanical, thermal, dielectric, and short-circuit conditions to ensure compliance with minimum safety and operational benchmarks.

Superseding AS/NZS 3439 in May 2021, AS/NZS 61439 requires manufacturers to demonstrate compliance through design verification (type testing) and routine verification for assemblies exceeding 125 A or a prospective short-circuit withstand strength greater than 10 kA. The standard itself is a direct adoption of IEC 61439, augmented with additional guidance specific to Australian and New Zealand conditions. Crucially, products certified to IEC 61439 do not require re‑certification for AS/NZS 61439 use. IP Enclosures’ electrical cabinets have met IEC/EN 61439 requirements for over a decade.

IP Enclosures’ empty enclosures are certified to IEC/EN 62208 (“Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies”) by independent accredited laboratories. Under clause 10.2.1 of AS/NZS 61439, an unmodified IEC 62208‑conforming enclosure does not require repeat enclosure testing. Supplying certified empty enclosure documentation supports switchboard builders in design verification and routine verification in accordance with AS/NZS 61439.

As an approved empty enclosure supplier under IEC/EN 62208, IP Enclosures supports both Original Manufacturers (those designing and type-testing assemblies) and Assembly Manufacturers (those responsible for the assembled switchboard) with compliant enclosures and certification. We furnish the necessary IEC/EN 61439 test certificates and annex documentation to streamline Annex D design verification (Table D.1) and routine verification steps required under the standard.

AS/NZS 61439 & IEC62208

AS/NZS 61439 Cl 10.2.1 states that where an empty enclosure in accordance with IEC 62208 is used and not modified, no repetition of the enclosure testing to 10.2 is required. IP Enclosures empty electrical enclosures have been tested and certified to IEC/EN 62208 ‘Empty enclosures for low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies’ by an independent accredited test laboratory. A certificate of conformity to IEC/EN 62208 assists switchboard builders throughout design verification and routine verification processes outlined in AS/NZS 61439.

IP Enclosures Supports Switchboard Builders

AS/NZS 61439 ‘Low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies’ is the standard for ‘assemblies’ and responsibilities are outlined in section 3, Terms and Definitions. The ‘Original Manufacturer’ is the organisation that has carried out the original design and verification of an assembly (Clause 3.10.1) while the ‘Assembly Manufacturer’ is the organisation taking responsibility for the completed assembly. IP Enclosures is an empty enclosure supplier as per IEC/EN 62208. We support organisations defined as Original Manufacturers and Assembly Manufacturers throughout design verification and routine verification processes required by AS/NZS 61439 by complying with IEC/EN 62208, relevant sections of AS/NZS 61439, and providing necessary documentation and certificates including IEC/EN 61439 test certificates.

IP Enclosures Wall-Mounted Electrical Enclosures

IEC/EN 61439 Certified Test Ratings:
Rated Voltage: 400 V AC
Rated Insulation Voltage: 690 V
Rated Impulse Withstand Voltage: 6 kV
Rated Current: 630A
Rated Peak Withstand Current: 40kA
Rated Short-Time Withstand Current: 20kA (Busbar)
Rated Conditional Short Circuit Current: 20kA
Rated Frequency: 50Hz

IEC/EN 61439-1, 61439-2 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies: Certificate AB-0341-T, 23-297-R1-N1-1 & AB-0341-T, 23-314-R1-N1-1.

IP Enclosures Floor Standing Electrical Cabinets

IEC/EN 61439 Certified Test Ratings:
Rated Voltage: 400 V AC
Rated Insulation Voltage: 690 V
Rated Impulse Withstand Voltage: 8 kV
Rated Current: 630A -1600A – 4000A
Main Circuit Short-Time Current Withstand: 30kA/1sec – 40kA/1sec – 60kA/1sec
Distribution Circuit Short-Time Current Withstand: 25kA/1sec – 36kA/1sec – 50kA/1sec
Auxilliary Circuit Short-Time Current Withstand: – – 30kA – 40kA/1sec – 36kA/1sec
Neutral Circuit Short-Time Current Withstand: – – 25kA/1sec – 36kA/1sec
Protection Circuit Short-Time Current Withstand: 18kA/1sec – 25kA/1sec – 36kA/1sec
Rated Conditional Short Circuit Current: 36kA/630A, 30kA/400A – 45kA/1600A, 36kA/1250A, 36kA/1000A – 65kA/4000A, 55kA/3200A, 45kA/2500A, 40kA/2000A
Rated Frequency: 50Hz

IEC/EN 61439-1, 61439-2 Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assemblies: Certificate 0406176-TSE-02/01

IEC/EN 60529, IEC/EN 62208 and IEC/EN 61439 certificates of conformity are available for IP Enclosures wall-mounted electrical enclosures and floor-standing electrical cabinets.

Design Verification and Routine Verification

AS/NZS 61439 requires final assemblies to meet or exceed requirements. Annex D, design verification Table D1 (shown below), lists 13 design verifications to be performed. Three methods of verification can be used to verify the characteristics in Table D1 and the Table outlines which method of verification can be used to verify each characteristic.

1. Test: Test made on a sample of an assembly or on parts of assemblies to verify that the design meets the requirements of the relevant assembly standard.
2. Comparison: Structured comparison of a proposed design for an assembly, or parts of an assembly, with a reference design verified by test.
3. Assessment: Design verification of strict design rules or calculations applied to a sample of an assembly or
   to parts of assemblies to show that the design meets the requirements of the relevant assembly standard.

IP Enclosures’ empty electrical enclosures have been tested in accordance with IEC/EN 62208 and documentation is made available for design verification in accordance with AS/NZS 61439.

Refer below for Annex D – Design Verification, Table D.1 – List of design verifications to be performed including method of verification.

Arc Fault Containment

Arc fault containment is not a mandatory requirement for compliance to AS/NZS 61439. Arc fault containment is covered in Appendix ZC and the application of the Appendix is subject to agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. The Standard does not define requirements for arc flash protection.

For more information

*The information provided is a guide only. Refer to SAI Global for more relevant standards.