Switchgear Forms of Separation
Forms of Separation is arguably the first question asked when digging into the technical application of switchgear, developing further upon the BEAMA Guide surrounding the Forms of Separation to understanding exactly what is meant by Form & Type, this being a high requirement when understanding what’s required for your particular application
The Importance of Good Form - From One to Four
Click the image below and let's get ElecSpec Compliant
Digging Deeper - Form 4 and the Associated Types
Hover your mouse over the image(s) below and let's get ElecSpec Compliant
 Form 4 Type 1 |  Form 4 Type 2 | Form 4 Type 3 |
|---|---|---|
Form 4 Type 4 |  Form 4 Type 6 |  Form 4 Type 5 |
Form 4 Type 7 |
The Clever Part - It's Important
Forms of Separation are described as per the BEAMA Guide and the BS EN 61439-2 as, "Typical arrangements of internal separations by barriers or partition" the fundamental objectives of Forms of Separation and therefore their purpose are to protect from contact with live parts belonging to neighbouring components and from solid foreign objects being passed from one component compartment of the assembly to neighbouring compartments. It is worth mentioning that the Forms of Separation as a whole or individually is not legally binding, however the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the Electricity at Work Act are, and such that it was developed and became a part of BS EN 61439 and therefore form a part of complying with the standard.
With that in mind, it is even more so important to know that Forms of Separation are only typical models, meaning that the means of separation is achieved are a subjective agreement between the manufacturer and the user. This is important, picture a Scenario, the consultant specifies Forms 4 Type 6, this formulated from the BEAMA guide, and the panel is manufactured and built to the specification as designed by the consultant and requested from the client, from specifying Form 4 Type 6 you would supposedly get Form 4 Type 6, wouldn’t you? The simple answer is yes, you would get Form 4 Type 6, but possibly not the version you interpreted from the BEAMA Guide, causing a discrepancy between specified design and built design, why?
Because the Forms of Separation are not legally binding different interpretations of their assembly are very common between manufacturers even with the popular guide provided by BEAMA. This was actually one of the main reasons why the British Standards were redeveloped, back in 2011, but that doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. Essentially due to the manufacture being an agreement between the manufacturer and end user it is very important that actually get what you specify, which is exactly why ElecSpec is here to ensure you get what you want, not what manufacturers interpret.
Together we will ensure you achieve exactly what you specify and deliver exactly what you required, all to your design and your requirements and in turn be ElecSpec compliant