This part of IEC 60947 applies to control circuit devices and switching elements intended for controlling, signalling, interlocking, etc., of switchgear and controlgear.

It applies to control circuit devices having a rated voltage not exceeding 1 000 V AC (at a frequency not exceeding 1 000 Hz) or 600 V DC.

This document applies to specific types of control circuit devices as contained in the following non exhaustive list:
– manually operated control switches;
– electromagnetically operated control switches, either time-delayed or instantaneous;
– contactor relays;
– pilot switches;
– pressure switches;
– temperature sensitive switches (thermostats);
– programmers;
– position switches;
– control switches operated by part of a machine or mechanism;
– associated control circuit equipment, for example indicator lights;
– control circuit devices incorporating semiconductor switching elements;
– control circuit devices incorporating a built-in single drop digital communication interface.

NOTE 1 Control circuit devices and switching elements are referred to as "equipment" or "device" equally in this document.

This document also applies to specific types of control circuit switching elements associated
with other devices (whose main circuits are covered by other standards) as contained in the
following non exhaustive list:
– auxiliary contacts of a switching device (e.g. contactor, circuit breaker) which are not dedicated exclusively for use with the coil of that device;
– interlocking contacts of enclosure doors;
– control circuit contacts of rotary switches;
– control circuit contacts of overload relays.

This document does not apply to:
– relays covered in the IEC 60255 or IEC 61810 series;
– automatic electrical control devices for household and similar purposes;
– the use of control circuit devices and switching elements with additional measure within explosive atmospheres. These are given in the IEC 60079 series;

This document does not address specific colour requirements or actuating force values.

NOTE 2 Colour requirements can be found in IEC 60073 and also in CIE S004/E-2001.

The object of this document is to state:
– definitions;
– classification;
– characteristics;
– product information;
– normal service, mounting and transport conditions;
– constructional and performance requirements, including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and all related product safety measures;
– tests to verify the requirements and the rated characteristics.