How to Select Test Equipment for IEC 60335-2: From Standard Requirements to Laboratory Setup

Selecting test equipment for household appliance safety testing involves more than simply buying listed instruments. Engineers need to grasp the interplay between product features, relevant safety standards, testing procedures and the necessary equipment. The IEC 60335 series regulates a wide array of electrical appliances, including cooking equipment, kitchen machines, washing machines, refrigerators and personal care devices.

While these products share common safety requirements, their specific construction, operation, and potential hazards often result in varying testing setups. For testing labs, manufacturers, and compliance engineers, the challenge lies in converting standard requirements into a practical and reliable testing configuration. This guide outlines how to approach IEC 60335-2 equipment selection, pinpoint the needed test functions, and strategize laboratory capabilities effectively.

Understanding IEC 60335's structure is crucial before equipment selection. The series comprises two intertwined standards: IEC 60335-1 outlines general safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances, focusing on electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other expected hazards. Common evaluation areas include live part protection, input power, heating, leakage current, insulation, moisture resistance, abnormal operation, mechanical strength, construction, heat and fire resistance.

IEC 60335-2 provides additional or modified requirements for specific appliance types, such as dishwashers, stationary cooking ranges, grills, kitchen machines, heating appliances, and refrigerators. Part 2 standards are typically combined with Part 1, as the latter may modify or replace certain provisions. Therefore, equipment selection should consider both general and appliance-specific requirements.

Identifying applicable test requirements is a key step in laboratory planning. A test category can involve different procedures based on the appliance. For instance, a heating test for a stationary cooking appliance may need specific test vessels, temperature measurement setups, and defined operating conditions. A similar evaluation for a kitchen machine might involve different operating loads, materials, and specimen configurations.

To start, create a test requirement matrix with key evaluation areas and corresponding equipment considerations. These may include electrical safety, heating, moisture resistance, abnormal operation, mechanical strength, construction, and heat/fire resistance. The actual requirements depend on the applicable standard, edition, clause, and test conditions.

Translating standard clauses into equipment requirements is the next step. Engineers should categorize testing resources into three groups: A. Measuring Instruments - These measure electrical, thermal, mechanical, or other parameters. Examples include digital multimeters, power analyzers, leakage current testers, high-voltage dielectric testers, temperature measurement systems, force gauges, and resistance measurement instruments.

Check the required measurement range, accuracy, response, and operating conditions against the test procedure. B. Standardized Accessories and Test Materials - Many IEC 60335 tests require specific accessories not typically found in measuring instruments. Examples include IEC 61032 test probes, standardized test vessels, pans, test loads, mechanical gauges, fabrics, and specified liquid solutions.

These items can be as crucial as the measuring instruments, as their dimensions, materials, and physical properties can directly impact test results. C. Dedicated Test Apparatus - Some requirements are not easily performed with general-purpose instruments alone. They may demand dedicated mechanical structures, controlled operating conditions, or integrated systems.

Examples include impact testers, force measurement systems, and specific apparatus for heat and fire resistance.

By following these guidelines, engineers can effectively select the right test equipment, ensuring a reliable and compliant testing configuration for various household appliances according to IEC 60335 standards.