Iec 60335-1

[Evelina Browder]

IEC60335-1 is a safety standard for electrical appliances used for household and similar purposes. It covers appliances with voltage ratings not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances. The standard provides general testing requirements, markings, classifications, and instructions for household appliances and similar devices.

Since 1970, the IEC has published a series of standards to enhance the safety of household devices. As the technologies have evolved, with the introduction of the digital environment into consumer goods and with the growing complexity, the safety of household appliances was more important than ever. The sixth edition of IEC 60335-1 provides technical changes and new safety requirements in many sections of the standard to address cybersecurity and software management concerns, battery-operated products issues, as well as clarifications for protected extra-low voltage (PELV) circuits, moisture resistance testing and the mechanical strength for appliances with integral pins used in socket outlets.

The sixth edition of IEC 60335-1 is only to be used in conjunction with part 2 that have been established based on this new edition. However, manufacturers may still have to use older versions of the standards if the adoption process and publication of national standards are still ongoing, with no mandatory effective dates published yet.

UL Solutions experts can walk you through the full list of requirements, harmonized standard and products where the applicable part 2 has been aligned with the sixth edition and is listed as standard operated in the scheme.

As a leading issuer of International Electrotechnical Commission for Electrical Equipment (IECEE) CB test certificates worldwide and a single source provider for global market access, we offer services for safety testing, interoperability, energy efficiency, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, advisory and more.

We provide global compliance expertise with the convenience of local service. UL Solutions has accredited certification bodies and laboratories throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, so you can work with UL Solutions experts close to you.

An early engagement with UL Solutions experts in the product design process can help speed time to market, avoid redesign costs and incorporate the necessary testing and compliance plans into your design road map.

Intertek provides safety and performance certification to nationally recognized standards for a wide range of products. Our product directories allow you to easily verify products that carry our marks.

If you would like to report an Intertek Certified/Tested product that does not appear to be compliant, or has been involved in an accident, contact us and we'll address your inquiry as soon as possible.

Intertek is the industry leader, with employees in 1,000 locations in over 100 countries. Whether your business is local or global, we can help to ensure that your products meet quality, health, environmental, safety, and social accountability standards for virtually any market around the world.

IEC 60335-1 is the safety standard of electrical appliances for household and similar purposes, which provides general testing requirements, markings, classifications, and instructions for household appliances and similar devices. IEC 60335-1 applies to appliances with voltage ratings not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances, and 480 V for other appliances.

With significant changes to appliances, IoT (Internet of Things), and the development of smart home systems which can be programmed or remotely controlled, safety requirements have been reassessed to ensure these products can be safely used as the technologies evolve and the applications become more complex.

The latest requirements from IEC 60335-1 Edition 6 include several updates, although most changes in the text of the standard relate to battery operated appliances and cybersecurity, some more minor text revisions which do not seem of significance at first glance could still have an impact on current or future product designs.

IEC 60335-1 is part 1 of an international standard that addresses the general requirements for electrical/electronic household appliances and similar applications. The standard covers devices with rated voltages up to 250 V for single phase and up to 480 V for multi-phase. The evolution of IoT, home appliances, and the idea of the smart home has made the safety of home appliances more important than ever. Devices that were once relatively simple machines now include a variety of electronic circuits enabling graphic displays, wireless communication, software interfaces, and other features which all factor into the overall safety of the product.

In addition to the general requirements of part 1, there is a part 2 of the standard which sets additional requirements for some specific device types, such as electric irons which are covered in IEC 60335-2-3. Due to the variety of appliances that may be found in a household, over 100 device types have been called out in part 2.

In Europe the harmonized standard is EN 60335-1 and defines how appliances may comply with European directives, such as the low voltage directive. Unlike the United States, the EU recognizes most, if not all, of the 100+ part 2 standards related to specific products.

When assessing a new standard, it is helpful to compare the requirements to one that is already familiar. Perhaps the most common product category for external adapters and power supplies is that of information and technology equipment (ITE). This category, which was once standardized to IEC 60950, and now IEC 62368, tends to be the benchmark to which most other power supply standards are compared. Below we will compare some common requirements that can impact the design of a power supply.

One of the first differences is in the creepage and clearance distances. Creepage is the shortest path between two conductive parts along the surface of the insulation (Figure 2). Clearance is the distance between two conductive parts through air (Figure 3). The requirement for each is dependent on the working voltage and insulation type (basic vs reinforced). In many cases the requirements are the same, but in certain instances the requirements may be more or less stringent. For example, IEC 60950-1 requires 6.4 mm of creepage for reinforced insulation when the working voltage is between 250 V and 300 V, whereas IEC 60335-1, for the same conditions, requires 8.0 mm. However, the clearance requirement for the same situation is 4.0 mm for IEC 60950-1 and only 3.5 mm for IEC 60335-1.

Another difference is in isolation requirements. The isolation voltage is the highest voltage that may be applied between a power supply's input and output or chassis for a short time. Above this value the insulation may break down and current will begin to flow. This is not to be confused with working voltage, which is the maximum voltage that may be continuously applied across an isolation barrier. The isolation voltage required is dependent on the location of the isolation; input to output, input to ground, or output to ground. For IEC 60950-1 there are fixed values for each, with the input to output requirement being 3 kV. IEC 60335-1's requirement depends on the working voltage. For example, the input to output rating is 2.4 kV plus the working voltage multiplied by 2.4. Also, for the output to ground requirement, IEC 60950-1 requires 500 V whereas IEC 60335-1 has no requirement.

Leakage current is current that flows in the protective earth conductor or chassis. When there is no ground connection or it is broken, this leakage current can flow through the human body and thus it is important to limit. When it comes to leakage current there's not only a difference in the allowed current, but also in how the devices are classified. IEC 60950-1 classified devices as hand-held, movable, or stationary, while IEC 60335-1 identifies two categories; portable appliances and stationary appliances. Portable appliances have the same requirements as hand-held devices (0.75 mA), while stationary and movable devices of IEC 60950-1 have the same requirements as the stationary appliances of IEC 60335-1 (3.5 mA).

The added complexity of modern household appliances leads to a greater number of potential faults that may occur, some of which may affect other safety provisions within the device. In recognition of this IEC considers not just single faults, but faults in conjunction with other faults.

The environment in which an ITE device is used may be much different than a household appliance, especially when it comes to the presence of water. Depending on the appliance, there is an expectation that some amount of moisture may be present in or around these devices. To account for this IEC 60335 has a moisture resistance requirement, known as the IP rating, for the protection an electrical enclosure provides from solids and liquids. The requirement is dependent on the appliance classification as defined in IEC 60529, an international standard that defines different levels of protection.

The increasing number and growing complexity of smart appliances has increased the number and types of devices subject to the IEC 60335-1 standard. As devices have evolved so has the safety standard, with newer editions and an increased number of devices called out in part 2.

EN IEC 60335-1 is the standard that deals with the safety of electrical appliances for household and similar purposes, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances. This standard can be used to show compliance to the EU Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Battery-operated appliances and other d.c. supplied appliances are within the scope of this standard, and can be used to show compliance safety requirements identified in the EU Radio Equipment Directive.

Appliances not intended for normal household use but which nevertheless may be a source of danger to the public, such as appliances intended to be used by laymen in shops, in light industry and on farms, are within the scope of this standard.

3a8082e126