Changing industry standards: BS EN 61439 one year on
In 1998, Google was founded, the first Apple iMac was introduced and the legendary Windows 98 was released by Microsoft. In a less glamorous but equally important corner of industry, a new commission was being formed to revise the complex IEC 60439 industry standard, which governed the safety and performance of electrical switchgear assemblies. Although Windows 98 has long been consigned to history, the new industry standard - BS EN 61439 - only came into force on November 1, 2014. One year on, Pat McLaughlin, Boulting Technology"˜s Operations Director, evaluates how original equipment manufacturers, panel builders, electrical engineers, consulting engineers and contractors have been affected by the new BS EN 61439 standard.
