COVENIN Standard 542-99

Electrical panels for lighting and distribution devices up to 600V, 1600A

and a maximum of 42 branch circuits.

Object

This standard contains the basic requirements for design, manufacture, identification and
tests of electrical panels for lighting, devices, and distribution,
using exclusively molded case circuit breakers of the type
screwed, up to 600 V and 1,600 A, with a maximum of 42 branch circuits.

This standard does not cover CFD panels, residential panels, service panels.
main feeding with or without KWH meters nor those that use disconnectors
under load or knife switches.

General Summary

The standard contains definitions for 25 terms related to the subject and refers
also to NVC 725 and NVC 2783. It establishes a classification and designations.
according to its usage, current capacity, voltage and service frequency and its
short-circuit capacity.

Standardizes the designation and identification of these boards according to a system of

analytical numbers according to use, voltage, and number of phases, among others
data. The requirements for the design and construction include the type of mounting,
quantity and limit of branch circuits, enclosures, connectivity, integrity,
use of the neutral bar, ventilation openings, bases, and material supports
insulator, dead front covers, barriers and internal divisions, conductive parts
current, current capacity of the bars, wiring terminals, the
molded case circuit breakers that are used, ground fault protection,
minimum separations and distances allowed, spaces for cabling, as well
like the grounding and its connections.

The testing methods include type testing and routine testing, with the conditions of
application in each case. For this, refer to NVC 2941. Includes the current one.
momentary short circuit, the resistance of the insulation support, of
download or dielectric breakdown, the degrees of protection in the enclosures, those of
mechanical prefabrication and mechanical operation, electrical operation, the
measurement and testing of electrical insulation. Specify the expression of results
and the dialing.
COVENIN Standard 398-84

Graphic symbols for electrical installations in buildings

Object

This standard establishes the symbols, associated nomenclature, and criteria for
show in topographic representation schemes, the electrical installations and
corresponding equipment intended for the distribution and control of energy
electric for its different applications in the field of power,
communication, signaling and alarms, in buildings, regarding:

A) The general physical location and arrangement of the parts of the systems
electrical installations
B) The indication of the elements of the electrical installation

Field of application

The symbols, nomenclatures, and criteria that define this standard aim to
purpose to allow a uniform and coordinated representation, in the plans,
schematics and diagrams of indoor electrical installation designs and
exteriors for lighting, heating, and power and electrical alarm systems,
signals, communication, control y supervision; in properties, areas y
construction of any kind, for residential, commercial, and
offices, institutional, industrial, sports, recreational, roadways and
road traffic devices, transport terminals, and other cases not defined by
another rule in particular, in which they are applicable.

COVENIN Standard 2783-98

Medium and low voltage boards. Definitions.

Object and field of application

This standard establishes the definitions used in the scope of application of

all medium and low voltage electrical panels, consisting of boxes and
individual cabinets, desks, cells, and self-supporting cell sets,
up to 36 kV.
General summary

The standard presents definitions for 110 terms associated with the industry.
low and medium voltage electrical panels. Some definitions are extended
towards the corresponding theoretical principles.

COVENIN Standard 159-97

Normalized electrical service voltages.

Object and field of application

This Venezuelan standard establishes some recommendations regarding

supply of the different service voltages of the electrical systems of
power in the country. Normalizes the nominal tensions; as well as the tolerances
in the variations of service voltage in relation to the nominal values of
permanent regime. It establishes recommendations for the use of the systems
normalized for different applications. Normalizes the nomenclature of the
different service voltages. It serves as a reference for the standardization of the
nominal design tensions in equipment manufacturing. This standard applies
at the voltage levels in steady state, low, medium, and high
tension. The limits set in this regulation do not apply to states
transients of the electrical system.

General summary

This short document includes a section of definitions of terms.

applied. It determines frequency requirements, voltage imbalance, calculations of
indicator and limit of the imbalance. Define the normalized tensions, their
nomenclature and tolerance limits, in low, medium and high voltage. For the level of
tension establishes the calculation of the indicator and the limit. Abundant in tables
references, as stated below in this summary.

COVENIN Standard 547-71

Classification and definition of the schemes and diagrams used in electrical engineering.

Object

The purpose of this standard is to define and classify the schemes and diagrams.
used in electrical engineering, in order to explain or indicate the connections.
Note: The standard does not apply to plans that represent the installation shape.
mechanics or the exact arrangement in space of machines, devices and
drivers.

Two classifications have been adopted:

A) Classification by purpose
B) Classification according to the method of representation.

COVENIN Standard 1631-99

Electrical boards for use in homes.

Object and field of application

This Venezuelan standard contains the basic requirements for design, manufacturing,
identification and testing for electrical panels intended for use in homes
single-family and multi-family homes, offices, commercial premises, and related buildings,
using exclusively molded case circuit breakers of the type
plug-in, 240 V, with a maximum capacity of 400 A and up to a
maximum of 24 branch circuits.

Applies to installations up to 2000 m.a.s.l., ambient temperature of 40 ºC,

relative humidity of 90%, embedded in wall, protection class IP20,
according to NVC 540 and NVC 3399.

General summary

The standard refers to NVC 542 and NVC 2783 for the definitions of terms.
associated with the subject. Establishes the applicable units of measurement, the
classification and designation of panels according to their use, for which it constitutes a
analytical number system. It standardizes the design and construction requirements in
Regarding the envelopes or boxes (referring to NVC540, NVC 3399 and NVC 3398), the
bases and supports of the insulating material for whose tests refers to NVC 2578, the
dead front covers, backup covers, current conductive parts,
the wiring terminals, the molded case circuit breakers, the
protection against ground fault as referred to in NVC 542, as well as the
separations and minimum distances. The types of tests include the
insulation support resistance, dielectric breakdown, the measurement of the
insulation resistance and the degrees of protection of enclosures (IP Code);
while the routine ones cover mechanical prefabrication and treatment of
surfaces, the mechanical and electrical operation, the measurement and testing of
isolation, protection against ground fault (optional) and final verifications
and certifications. To specify the tests, refer to NVC 2941 and NVC 2578.
Concludes with a section on result expression and marking.

Includes Annex A: Checklists and Annex B: General Protocol of

Tests.

COVENIN Standard 391-74

Graphical symbols applied to power electrical systems

Object

The purpose of this standard is to establish a series of graphical symbols of

common use in representations in electrical schemes and diagrams of
power systems; in order to make the exchange of information easier.

COVENIN Standard 11:7-001

Harmonic control in electrical systems

Object

This Venezuelan standard establishes limits for harmonic voltage and current, thus
as recommendations to evaluate the impact of the harmonics present both
in industrial, commercial, and residential electrical installations such as those of the
companies in distribution, transportation, and energy generation. Among the objectives
specifics of this regulation are:

Regulate the levels of current and voltage harmonics in a system.

electric by setting limits, so that it
ensure electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the loads and
associated teams, a the purposes of these to be able to operate
satisfactorily, without being damaged, nor reducing their useful life.

Ensure users, through the evaluation of the supplied energy,

an electrical power supply that meets the standards of
quality established in the organic law of electric service and its
current regulations.
 Instruct users and electrical installation designers about the
effects of high harmonic content.

Establish recommendations for the evaluation and design of facilities

electric systems with the presence of nonlinear loads.

Recommendations for connecting the power factor considering:

evaluation of limits, resonance, measurements, and directionality of the
harmonic currents.

Scope of application

This standard applies to low-frequency conduction phenomena from

60 to 3kHz of the harmonic type in electrical systems in steady state.
permanent in low, medium, and high voltage. This is applicable to electrical systems.
at 60Hz with the normalized voltages indicated in the COVENIN 159-97 standard
"standardized tensions." The recommendations proposed in this standard
they must be simulated and technically validated for each specific case beforehand
of its implementation.

NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE

Section 408. Panels and distribution boards

Scope.

This Section establishes provisions for the following:

1. The distribution boards (switchboards) also called Centers of

Power and Distribution (CFD), distribution panels (panelboards) and
distribution boards installed for the control of the
lighting and power circuits.

2. The battery charging panels powered from circuits of

lighting or power.

Section 230. Service Connections

Scope.

This section applies to drivers and equipment for control and protection
from the connections as well as their installation requirements