Switchboard Technical File, Rating Label and CE Conformity
The contents of a switchboard technical file, the rating label data and the verification chain behind CE conformity.
ContentsA switchboard technical file is the set of documents showing how the rated characteristics of a low voltage assembly were verified. The most common problem on site is that the board is physically well built while this file is incomplete. An incomplete file is not merely a paperwork issue: the operator cannot prove under which conditions the board is fit to run, and after a failure the chain of responsibility becomes unclear.
How the verification chain is built
IEC 61439 defines two distinct verifications. Design verification proves the type of the assembly once and covers temperature rise, short circuit withstand, insulation properties, degree of protection, mechanical operation and earthing continuity. It can be achieved by testing, by calculation or by design rules, and it does not have to be repeated for every board. Routine verification applies to every assembly produced and covers conformity of the build to the design, wiring, functional tests and dielectric withstand.
What the rating label must show
| Information | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer name or trade mark | Identity of the responsible party |
| Type or serial designation, date of manufacture | Traceability and spare part matching |
| Applicable standard (IEC 61439-2 etc.) | Which rules the verification followed |
| Rated voltage and frequency | Compatibility with the supply |
| Rated current and diversity factor | Loading limit |
| Short circuit rating (Icw / Icc) | Limit under fault conditions |
| Degree of protection (IP) and impact class (IK) | Suitability for the environment |
| Internal separation form | Basis for maintenance procedures |
| Weight and mounting orientation | Transport and installation |
| Type of earthing system | Protection coordination |
Minimum contents of the file
- Single line diagram, updated to the as built revision
- Layout drawing, enclosure dimensions and installation details
- Device schedule with manufacturer references and protection settings
- Cable and busbar schedule with cross-sections and tightening torques
- Design verification reports or type test references
- Routine verification records: dielectric test, continuity, functional test
- Declaration of conformity and the directives applied
- Commissioning, maintenance and spare part information
Key takeaways: switchboard technical file
- How the verification chain is built — IEC 61439 defines two distinct verifications.
- Standard source — IEC publication catalogue: iec.ch.
Frequently asked questions
Does CE marking mean the board was tested?
Not directly. CE shows that the manufacturer declares conformity with the applicable directives. Design and routine verifications must sit behind that declaration, so the question to ask is not whether there is a CE mark but by which method the verification reports were produced.
Does modifying the board on site invalidate the file?
It depends on the extent of the change. Replacing a breaker with a different characteristic, adding an outgoing way or breaking the separation affects the verification and the file must be updated. In designs that rely on a conditional short circuit rating, changing the protective device invalidates the withstand declaration; see our article on short circuit withstand.
Related articles
- IP Protection Rating Explained: How to Read an IP Code
- IK Impact Rating Explained: IK07, IK08 and IK10 Compared
- Cable Zone and Cable Entry Design: Common Switchboard Mistakes
- All technical articles
At Devpan every board is built to verified design rules, and routine verification records and the technical file are delivered as an inseparable part of the supply. Share your specification and we can clarify which verifications your project genuinely requires.
