Overview - IEC TR 63196:2020 (Switchgear and controlgear - Energy efficiency)
IEC TR 63196:2020 provides guidance on energy efficiency for low-voltage switchgear, controlgear and their assemblies. Following the principles of IEC Guide 119, the Technical Report defines how products complying with IEC 60947, IEC 61095 and IEC 62626 - and assemblies complying with IEC 61439 - contribute to the overall system energy efficiency. It promotes a systems approach and links product-level aspects with energy policy, energy management (EnMS) and system boundaries rather than prescribing new test methods or limits.
Key topics and technical focus
- Scope and systems approach: Defines energy efficiency in the context of overall system performance, including system boundary description and driving parameters.
- Energy efficiency concepts: Clarifies terminology (EE, recovered energy, energy performance, EnMS) to harmonize product standards.
- Energy efficiency management: Guidance on integrating switchgear/controlgear considerations into energy management systems (ISO 50001–style EnMS).
- Energy efficiency measures: Practical topics covered include:
- Load shedding and peak shaving strategies for demand management.
- Benefits of fixed-speed and motor control strategies.
- Identification and reduction of losses in switchgear and controlgear (including semiconductor controller losses).
- Power factor correction and assembly-level layout for minimizing losses.
- Role of energy control centres (ECCs) in managing multiple energy sources/loads.
- Economic and availability considerations: Discusses trade-offs between energy savings, safety and system availability.
Practical applications - who uses this standard
- Standards writers - to harmonize energy-related clauses across product standards for low-voltage switchgear and assemblies.
- Product designers and manufacturers - to identify and reduce losses in switchgear/controlgear and optimize assembly layouts for energy performance.
- System integrators and panel builders - for designing energy-aware assemblies (IEC 61439) and ECCs.
- Energy managers and facility engineers - to incorporate switchgear/controlgear into EnMS, implement load shedding/peak shaving and evaluate recovered energy opportunities.
- Specifiers and policymakers - to reference consistent energy-efficiency guidance when writing procurement specifications or regulations.
Related standards and references
- IEC 60947 (switchgear and controlgear)
- IEC 61439 (low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies)
- IEC 61095, IEC 62626 (related product series)
- IEC Guide 119 (energy efficiency in standards development)
- ISO 50001 (energy management systems) and IEC TS 63058 (environmental aspects) for broader context
Practical takeaway: IEC TR 63196:2020 is a guidance document that helps align product-level design and standards with system-level energy efficiency goals, enabling manufacturers and system designers to reduce losses, support energy management strategies and accelerate adoption of energy-efficient low-voltage switchgear and assemblies.