GOST IEC 61643-12-2022 PDF

Full title and description

GOST IEC 61643-12-2022 — Low-voltage surge protective devices. Part 12: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power distribution systems — Selection and application principles. This document is the national (GOST) adoption of the IEC guidance on selection, location, coordination and use of surge protective devices (SPDs) for 50/60 Hz AC power circuits and equipment up to low-voltage systems.

Abstract

This standard gives principles and practical guidance for choosing and applying SPDs intended to limit surge voltages and divert surge currents on low-voltage power distribution systems. Topics include the need for protection, SPD characteristics, coordination of multi-stage protection, earthing/connection practices, measured limiting voltage, and requirements for installation and maintenance. The GOST edition adopts the content of the IEC technical guidance for national use.

General information

• Status: Active / national adoption as a GOST standard (interstate national publication).
• Publication date: Published as GOST IEC 61643-12-2022 (published 1 March 2023; adoption year shown as 2022).
• Publisher: Published as a GOST (national adoption) by the Russian national standardization authority / interstate standardization system (Rosstandart / EASC national publication practice).
• ICS / categories: 29.240.10 (power transmission and distribution; low-voltage surge protection).
• Edition / version: GOST adoption titled 61643-12-2022 (reflects the IEC technical revision; corresponds to IEC 61643-12:2020 third edition technical content).
• Number of pages: 167 pages (GOST publication).

Scope

The standard applies to SPDs connected to low-voltage AC power distribution systems (50/60 Hz) and equipment rated up to low-voltage system limits. It addresses selection criteria, installation location, coordination between stages of protection, interaction with earthing and disconnecting devices, testing/measurement considerations (including measured limiting voltage) and additional recommendations for special applications. It does not replace product-type test standards for SPD performance but complements test/requirements parts of the IEC/ GOST 61643 series.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles for determining the Need for protection and risk-based selection of SPDs.
• SPD characteristics and selection parameters (nominal voltage, rated current, maximum discharge current, voltage protection level, etc.).
• Coordination rules for multi-stage protection (primary/secondary/tertiary SPDs) and siting recommendations within distribution systems.
• Earthing and equipotential bonding requirements to minimize follow-on transient voltages and ensure correct SPD operation.
• Guidance on disconnecting devices, fusing, and maintenance/inspection of installed SPDs.
• Measurement guidance including Measured Limiting Voltage (MLV) and installation verification practices.
• Annexed information and normative references to complementary standards (IEC 60364, IEC 62305 and other parts of IEC 61643 series) for coordinated protection planning.

Typical use and users

Engineers and designers of low-voltage power distribution installations, electrical contractors, facility managers, product specifiers, safety and compliance officers, and testing laboratories use this standard when planning and implementing surge protection measures in industrial, commercial and residential installations. It is referenced in procurement, installation rules and maintenance procedures for buildings and electrical equipment where transient overvoltage protection is required.

Related standards

Related documents include other parts of the IEC/GOST 61643 series (requirements and test methods parts such as Part 11/21/22/31/32, and application guides), and complementary IEC standards such as IEC 60364 (low-voltage electrical installations) and IEC 62305 (protection against lightning) which inform risk assessment and system-level protection strategies. National GOST equivalents of those IEC parts are often published alongside this document.

Keywords

SPD, surge protective device, low-voltage, overvoltage, lightning protection, coordination, measured limiting voltage, earthing, GOST adoption, IEC 61643-12.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the Russian GOST national adoption of IEC 61643-12, titled GOST IEC 61643-12-2022, giving selection and application guidance for surge protective devices on low-voltage power distribution systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers principles for the need for protection, SPD selection parameters, installation location and coordination (multi-stage protection), earthing and disconnecting devices, measurement (including MLV) and maintenance guidance — not the detailed type-testing methods (which are in other parts of the 61643 series).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Electrical designers, specifiers, installers, safety/compliance personnel and test laboratories involved with protection of low-voltage installations and equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The GOST adoption is current as published (GOST IEC 61643-12-2022, published 1 March 2023). The technical base corresponds to the IEC 61643-12:2020 edition (the most recent IEC edition at the time of adoption). Check national indexes or Rosstandart notices for any later amendments or superseding documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 12 of the IEC/GOST 61643 series on low-voltage surge protective devices; other parts cover requirements/test methods and application guidance for specific networks and photovoltaic installations (e.g., Parts 11, 21, 22, 31, 32).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: SPD, surge protection, low-voltage, selection, application, coordination, earthing, measured limiting voltage, IEC 61643, GOST.