This part of IEC 62271 is applicable to three-pole alternating current switches for rated voltages 52 kV and above@ having making and breaking current ratings@ for indoor and outdoor installations@ and for rated frequencies up to and including 60 Hz. This standard is also applicable to the operating devices of these switches and to their auxiliary equipment. NOTE 1 Switches for gas insulated switchgear are covered by this standard. NOTE 2 Switches having a disconnecting function and called switch-disconnectors are also covered by IEC 62271-102. NOTE 3 Earthing switches are not covered by this standard. Earthing switches forming an integral part of a switch are covered by IEC 62271-102. The main object of this standard is to establish requirements for switches used in transmission and distribution systems. General-purpose switches for this application are designed to comply with the following service applications: ?C carrying rated normal current continuously; ?C carrying short-circuit currents for a specified time; ?C switching of mainly active loads; ?C switching of no-load transformers; ?C switching of the charging current of unloaded cables@ overhead lines or busbars; ?C switching of closed-loop circuits; ?C making short-circuit currents. A further object of this standard is to establish requirements for limited-purpose and specialpurpose switches used in transmission and distribution systems. Limited-purpose switches shall comply with one or more of the service applications indicated above. Special-purpose switches may comply with one or more of the service applications indicated above and@ in addition@ shall be suitable for one or more of the following applications: ?C switching single capacitor banks; ?C switching back-to-back capacitor banks; ?C switching shunt reactors including secondary or tertiary reactors switched from the primary side of the transformer; ?C applications requiring an increased number of operating cycles; ?C switching under earth fault conditions in non-effectively earthed neutral systems.