Partitioning

Type of partitioning
in Prisma P and PH cubicles

For most installations Prisma cubicles require no special partitioning.

The standard cubicles are designed to protect both people and the installation:
# via front plates
# door locks requiring a key or special tool for access to live parts.
In addition, various types of partitioning are available.
They make it possible to build Form 2, 3 and 4 electrical switchboards.
The form of separation is covered by an agreement between the manufacturer
and the user.

Minimum protection The recommended protection includes:

recommended for maintenance # barriers on the horizontal and vertical transfer busbars to protect against
accidental direct contact with live parts
operations # upstream partitioning of the incoming device so that maintenance can be
carried out safely once this device is in the "off" position.

E38832(MGA+BT)
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E55151
Form 2 switchboard

Example of form 2b switchboard: Prisma P with fixed front-connected circuit breakers.

Definition of form 2:
# separation of busbars from the functional units:
❏ protection against contact with live parts upstream from outgoing devices
❏ limitation of the risk of propagation of short-circuit currents between functional
units and busbars (electrical arcs or solid bodies).
Two types of form 2 separation as specified by standard IEC 60439-1
E38834(MGA+BT)
E38833(MGA+BT)

Form 2a Form 2b

# form 2a:
Terminals for external conductors not separated from the busbars
Functional units are separated from the busbars, but not the terminals for
external conductors
# form 2b:
Terminals for external conductors separated from the busbars
Functional units and terminals for external conductors are separated from the
busbars.
Prisma offers form 2b separation:
# with partitioning between main and distribution busbars
# for the protection of persons, Schneider recommends in addition:
❏ partitioning of upstream and downstream connections on the incoming device
(form 4 on incoming device)
❏ use of prefabricated connections with integrated terminal shields or installation
of upstream terminal shields on outgoing devices.
 Partitioning
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Type of partitioning
in Prisma P and PH cubicles

E55152
Form 3 switchboard

Example of form 3b switchboard: Prisma P with fixed front-connected circuit breakers.

Definition of form 3:
Separation of busbars from the functional units and separation of all functional
units from one another. Separation of the terminals for external conductors from
the functional units but not from one another.
# protection against contact with live parts
# limitation of the risk of faults between each of the functional units (propagation
of electrical arcs, etc.).
Two types of Form 3 separation as specified by standard IEC 60439-1
E38836(MGA+BT)
E38835(MGA+BT)

Form 3a Form 3b

# form 3a:
Terminals for external conductors not separated from the busbars
The functional units are separated from one another and from the busbars, but
the terminals for external conductors are not.
# form 3b:
Terminals for external conductors separated from the busbars
The functional units are separated from one another and from the busbars. The
terminals for external conductors are separated from the functional units but not
from one another.
Prisma offers form 3b separation:
In addition to form 2 partitioning, add:
# horizontal barriers.
In-duct connection assemblies can be used to separate the downstream
terminals of the device from the functional unit .
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Form 4 switchboard

E55153

Example of form 4 switchboard: Prisma P with fixed front-connected circuit breakers.

Definition of form 4:
Separation of busbars from the functional units and separation of all functional
units from one another, including the terminals for external conductors which are
an integral part of the functional unit.
# protection against contact with live parts and limitation of the faults between
each of the functional units (propagation of electrical arcs, etc.).
Two types of form 4 separation as specified by standard IEC 60439-1
E38837(MGA+BT)

E42677(MGA+BT)

Form 4a Form 4b

# form 4a:
Terminals for external conductors in the same compartment as the associated
functional unit
# form 4b:
Terminals for external conductors not in the same compartment as the associated
functional unit, but in protected spaces or separate closed compartments.
Prisma offers form 4a separation:
In addition to form 2 partitioning and horizontal barriers, add downstream terminal
shields to outgoing devices.