--- title: "Extending the LV switchboards : guaranteeing the level of safety" description: In order to upgrade LV switchboard with no risk of an electric shock, a rigorous procedure must be followed to guarantee the level of safety. image: https://blog.comeca-group.com/hubfs/Extending%20the%20LV%20switchboards%20guaranteeing%20the%20level%20of%20safety.jpg --- [![Comeca](https://blog.comeca-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Comeca_EN_April2023/images/logo-comeca-fr.png?width=400&height=126&name=logo-comeca-fr.png "Comeca")](https://www.comeca-group.com/en) - - - - [fr](https://www.comeca-group.com) - [en](https://www.comeca-group.com/en) - [Contact](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/contact-us/) - Comeca Group - [About Comeca](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/comeca-group/about-comeca/) - [Comeca worldwide](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/comeca-group/comeca-worldwide/) - [Our sustainability initiatives](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/comeca-group/sustainability-initiatives/) - [News](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en/) - [Our references](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-references/) - Markets - [Buildings](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/buildings/) - [Data Centers](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/data-centers/) - [Hydrogen production](https://hydrogene.comeca-group.com/en/home/) - [Industries](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/industries/) - [Infrastructure & transportation](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/infrastructure-transportation/) - [Nuclear](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/nuclear/) - [Shore power supply](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/markets/shore-power-supply/) - Solutions - [Low and Medium Voltage switchboards](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/low-and-medium-voltage-switchboards/) - [Protection, control & command panels](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/automation-industrial-computing/protection-control-command-panels/) - [Automation & Industrial Computing](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/automation-industrial-computing/) - [Power electronics](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/power-electronics/) - [Cabling solutions](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/cabling-solutions/) - [Connected Charging System](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/integrated-ultra-fast-charging-solutions/) - [Specific solutions for HVAC](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/specific-solutions-for-hvac/) - [EVOBLOC scalable chassis](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/evobloc-solution-optimization-electrical-technical-systems/) - [GEMSTART motor protection](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-solutions/gemstart5-motor-protection-relay/) - Services - [All our services](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-services/) - [Extension of Low and High Voltage Switchboards](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-services/extension-of-low-and-high-voltage-switchboards/) - [Our services for the nuclear industry](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/our-services/our-services-for-the-nuclear-industry/) - Careers - [Candidate space](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/careers/candidate-space/) - [Why join COMECA](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/careers/why-join-comeca/) - [Employee testimonials](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/careers/employee-testimonials/) - [Comeca Academy program](https://www.comeca-group.com/en/careers/comeca-academy-program/) ![](https://blog.comeca-group.com/hubfs/Extending%20the%20LV%20switchboards%20guaranteeing%20the%20level%20of%20safety.jpg) # Extending the LV switchboards : guaranteeing the level of safety Published by [Florence Diet](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en/author/florence-diet) on Jan 16, 2021 8:51:00 AM When you have to operate on existing installations, you must know how to **assess the risk, protect yourself against it and not refrain from upgrading your LV switchboard** to improve its intrinsic safety. No one is safe from the risk of an electric shock. Even if there are many solutions to protect yourself from touching a live conductor, **extending your electrical switchboard will require a complete shutdown**. ## Traceability of the existing system: ensuring mechanical and electrical continuity **![Traçabilité de l’existant assurer la continuité mécanique et électrique](https://blog.comeca-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Comptabilit%C3%A9/Tra%C3%A7abilit%C3%A9%20de%20l%E2%80%99existant%20assurer%20la%20continuit%C3%A9%20m%C3%A9canique%20et%20%C3%A9lectrique.jpeg?width=300&name=Tra%C3%A7abilit%C3%A9%20de%20l%E2%80%99existant%20assurer%20la%20continuit%C3%A9%20m%C3%A9canique%20et%20%C3%A9lectrique.jpeg)The identification of the existing switchboard is a prerequisite** for the manufacturer of the extension: - Type of the switchboard - Intensity jdb - Short Circuit Current - Special features - Service index If this identification is not possible, an on-site visit to establish the critical dimension of the switchgear, including the busbar measurements will be required. ## Reinforcement of protections on the extension In some cases, it is possible to **offer a higher level of safety than the existing board by manufacturing an extension** that takes into account the latest standards and requirements in terms of safety, such as reinforced enhanced Arc Fault Containment design. ## Followthe steps for the safe installation, fitting, assembly and electrical fish-plating of the extension An overall analysis of all risks, including electrical risks, must be carried out **before the work is executed**. Transport, unloading, handling, mechanical assembly and electrical fish-plating are steps that require particular vigilance. ### The choice of a suitable transport The extension must be sufficiently protected for transport and handling. The manufacturer determines the most suitable packaging. **Special care must be taken to secure the extension** to prevent it from tipping over during transport. ## Recommendations for unloading and handling  ![Les préconisations pour le déchargement et la manutention de tableau électriques basse tension](https://blog.comeca-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Comptabilit%C3%A9/Les%20pr%C3%A9conisations%20pour%20le%20d%C3%A9chargement%20et%20la%20manutention%C2%A0de%20tableau%20%C3%A9lectriques%20basse%20tension.jpg?width=201&name=Les%20pr%C3%A9conisations%20pour%20le%20d%C3%A9chargement%20et%20la%20manutention%C2%A0de%20tableau%20%C3%A9lectriques%20basse%20tension.jpg) Operations that are carried out without scrupulously following the manufacturer's recommendations are a risk to the safety of goods and people. **The lifting and handling means must be adapted to the weight of the extension**. To unload the extension, use the lifting points provided for this purpose. **Pay attention to the centre of gravity** which is different depending on the position of the main busbar. Before moving the extension, **check that all doors are closed and that all equipment is in its compartment**. Before installing the extension, make sure that : - **adequate clearances** on all sides of the extension comply with safety regulations - the **ground level** respects the acceptable constraints for the extension ### Electrical clearance guarantees safety **Holding a valid electrical permit to work**, adapted to the operations to be carried out, is an **essential condition for security**. ## The stages of electrical lockout to protect The electrical lockout of the installation is a **safety procedure** designed to ensure the protection of people. For the consignment, **the person in charge of consignment (BC electrical clearance) must have at his disposal equipment suitable for the voltage level** of the installation and **complying with the requirements of the standards in force.** ### 1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ![Les Équipements de Protection Individuelle pour intervenir sur un tableau basse tension](https://blog.comeca-group.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Comptabilit%C3%A9/Les%20%C3%89quipements%20de%20Protection%20Individuelle%20pour%20intervenir%20sur%20un%20tableau%20basse%20tension.jpeg?width=300&name=Les%20%C3%89quipements%20de%20Protection%20Individuelle%20pour%20intervenir%20sur%20un%20tableau%20basse%20tension.jpeg) The person in charge of consignment **must equip himself with the appropriate personal protective equipment** to protect himself from a dangerous environment during the consignment stages: - **Eye and face protection** by protective screen - **Insulating gloves** adapted to the voltage of the installation - **Insulating mat or stool** adapted to the voltage ### 2. Voltage-free check The voltage-free checker is a device that is **specifically designed to realize the absence of voltage**. It must meet the requirements of standard NF EN 61243-3 for low voltage. It is **imperative to examine its correct operation immediately before and after the voltage-free check**. ### 3. Earthing and short-circuiting The earthing must be carried out according to a precise procedure that **starts with the connection to the earth and then to the active conductors**. The earthing device used must comply with standard NF EN 61230. ### 4.Certificate of consignment In order to formalise the consignment of an installation, the consignment officer must **obligatorily send a one-step consignment certificate to the works manager** (B2 or B2V electrical authorisation). This certificate is **equivalent to a work permit**. It is an **essential safety document**. ## Mechanical assembly and electrical connection and commissioning Once the table has been recorded, the extension **must be mechanically assembled** using the fixing points provided for this purpose. **Before carrying out the above operation**, **the alignment of the fixing holes and busbars must be checked**. **Under no circumstances must the assembly require any forcing on the parts**. The extension **must be carefully fixed to the floor**. For the assembly of the main busbar, **the use of a checked torque spanner is compulsory** to ensure that it is tightened to the correct torque: **observe the tightening torques recommended by the manufacturer**. **The interconnection of the earth bars inside the switchboard must be completely completed** after mechanical assembly. Finally, you can connect the auxiliary wiring between the columns. **After disconnecting the switchboard, and before reconnecting it to the power supply, carry out an insulation measurement** to avoid the risk of a foreign body being left in the busbar. If the insulation measurement complies with the expected values : - **Replace all the sheet metal and covering**s that guarantee the IP rating degree of the switchboard. - **Give permission to switch on** the switchboard [![Download white paper : Why and how to upgrade your electrical installation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5464586/30574e70-3c49-423b-825b-168b47859fbd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5464586/30574e70-3c49-423b-825b-168b47859fbd) Tags: [Maintenance & services](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en/tag/maintenance-services), [Technical ressource](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en/tag/technical-ressource) [Back to Blog](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [3 tips to prevent your LV switchboard from overheating](https://blog.comeca-group.com/en/3-tips-to-prevent-your-lv-switchboard-from-overheating?hsLang=en) The monitoring of the heat build-up, often carried out by thermography, allows early detection of... 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