NEMA IA 2.5

Description / Abstract: Foreword

This Standards Publication is a NEMA Adoptive Standard based on Part 5 of IEC 61131, Programmable Controllers.

This Standards Publication was prepared by a technical committee of the NEMA Automation Products and Systems Section. It was approved in accordance with the bylaws of NEMA and supersedes NEMA Standards Publication ICS 3-1988, Part 3-304.

This Standards Publication provides practical information concerning ratings, construction, test, performance, and manufacture of industrial control equipment. These standards are used by the electrical industry to provide guidelines for the manufacture and proper application of reliable products and equipment and to promote the benefits of repetitive manufacturing and widespread product availability.

NEMA Standards represent the result of many years of research, investigation, and experience by the members of NEMA, its predecessors, its Sections and Committees. They have been developed through continuing consultation among manufacturers, users, and national engineering societies and have resulted in improved serviceability of electrical products with economies to manufacturers and users.

One of the primary purposes of this Standards Publication is to encourage the production of reliable control equipment which, in itself, functions in accordance with these accepted standards. Some portions of these standards, such as electrical spacings and interrupting ratings, have a direct bearing on safety; almost all of the items in this publication, when applied properly, contribute to safety in one way or another.

Properly constructed industrial control equipment is, however, only one factor in minimizing the hazards which may be associated with the use of electricity. The reduction of hazard involves the joint efforts of the various equipment manufacturers, the system designer, the installer, and the user. Information is provided herein to assist users and others in the proper selection of control equipment.

The industrial control manufacturer has limited or no control over the following factors which are vital to safe installation:

• environmental conditions

• system design

• equipment selection and application

• installation

• operating practices

• maintenance

This publication is not intended to instruct the user of control equipment with regard to these factors except insofar as suitable equipment to meet needs can be recognized in this publication and some application guidance is given.

This Standards Publication is necessarily confined to defining the construction requirements for industrial control equipment and to providing recommendations for proper selection for use under normal or certain specific conditions. Since any piece of industrial control equipment can be installed, operated, and maintained in such a manner that hazardous conditions may result, conformance with this publication does not by itself assure a safe installation. When, however, equipment conforming with these standards is properly selected and is installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code and properly maintained, the hazards to persons and property will be reduced.

To continue to serve the best interests of users, NEMA is actively cooperating with other standardization organizations in the development of simple and more universal metrology practices. In this Standards Publication, the U.S. customary units are gradually being supplemented by those of the modernized metric system known as the International Systems of Units (SI). This transition involves no changes in standard dimensions, tolerances, or performance specifications.

NEMA Standards Publications are subject to periodic review. They are revised frequently to reflect user input and to meet changing conditions and technical progress. Users should secure the latest editions.