Standard Detailed Explanation | Interpretation of the main points of the general standard for lamps and lanterns IEC 60598-1:2020 (9th edition) (3)

Date：2020/11/3　　Clicks：1351

On August 17, 2020, IEC officially released the 9th edition of the General Standard for Luminaires IEC 60598-1:2020 Luminaires-Part 1: General requirements and tests, which also marks the global lighting industry has officially entered a new stage.

We will interpret the general lighting standard IEC 60598-1:2020 (9th edition) through nine points in four issues. This issue will focus on the requirements of points six to eight.

The interpretation of point one can be viewed by clicking the following link:


For the interpretation of points 2 to 5, please click the following link to view:

Point 6: The hazards of human exposure to electromagnetic fields

The general standard of lamps and lanterns puts forward the hazard requirements of human exposure to electromagnetic fields for the first time. The new clause 4.34 shall not produce harmful electromagnetic fields (EMF), and its compliance shall be tested according to IEC 62493:2015.

It should be noted that clause 4.2.2 of IEC 62493:2015 clearly states that products based on the inherent characteristics of LED light source technology can be deemed to meet standard requirements without testing.

Point 7 shell protection

In the general standard of lamps and lanterns, the enclosure protection grade of ordinary lamps is IP20. In the 14th edition of the standard and its previous editions, IP20 only considers the protection of dangerous live parts, but does not involve the protection of dangerous moving parts. This is the biggest difference from the basic standard IEC 60529.

Although the IP20 test requirements of the 20th edition of the standard remain unchanged, the 4.35 protection clauses for moving fan blades have been added separately, requiring that the standard test refers to or when the lamp should be turned on after installation and wiring according to normal use and for replacing light sources or components. The small test finger φ5.6 (for portable lamps) should not touch the fan blades in the lamps. At the same time, the standard also stipulates exemptions: the chamfer radius of the fan blade edge and tip is not less than 0.5 mm, and the hardness is less than Shore D60, or the peripheral speed is less than 15m/s, or the fan power is not more than 2W.

In terms of waterproof intrusion test, the 20th edition of the standard newly introduced 9.2.3.2 15° tilt and anti-drip water (IPX2), 9.2.10 high-pressure and high-temperature anti-spraying (IPX9 (80°C)), and 9.2.11 high-pressure and low-temperature anti-spraying (IPX9) (15℃)) Three new IP ratings.

Point 8 Update of SELV concept and introduction of PELV concept

The 20th edition of the standard no longer uses the isolated voltage concept to explain SELV as in the past, but systematically defines it from the perspective of protection against electric shock. 1.2.42.2 The SELV system clause clearly states that when the term "SELV" is used in the standard, its meaning is "SELV system", and for such an electrical system, under the following working conditions, the voltage therein will not exceed ELV: normal state ; Single fault state (including ground failure of other circuits).

Similarly, the 20th edition of the standard also introduces the 1.2.42.3 PELV system. The only difference from the SELV system is that it cannot be ensured that the voltage in the electrical system does not exceed the ELV when the grounding of other circuits fails. In other words, as long as the grounding is effective, PELV and SELV have the same anti-shock effect. Therefore, most of the requirements for SELV in the 14th edition of the standard are applicable to PELV, and in the 20th edition of the standard, they usually appear together in the form of "SELV/PELV". In addition, PELV's functional grounding and live parts should meet double or reinforced insulation requirements.