⚡ Safety testing of household and similar electrical appliances according to the general part of the IEC 60335 series — durability of marking, protection against access to live parts, starting, power input and current, heating, leakage current and electric strength, moisture resistance, mechanical strength, earthing; used together with the relevant part 2, PN-EN IEC 60335-1

Electronics and EMC PN-EN IEC 60335-1

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04 (English version), in full (the card gives the Polish translation; here the wording of IEC 60335-1:2020, Clause 1): “This International Standard 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 including direct current (DC) supplied appliances and battery-operated appliances. 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. This standard deals with the reasonably foreseeable hazards presented by appliances that are encountered by all persons. However, in general, it does not take into account: – persons (including children) whose • physical, sensory or mental capabilities; or • lack of experience and knowledge prevents them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction; – children playing with the appliance. Additional requirements may be necessary for appliances intended to be used in vehicles or on board ships or aircraft. In many countries, additional requirements are specified by the national health authorities, the national authorities responsible for the protection of labour, the national water supply authorities and similar authorities. This standard does not apply to: – appliances intended exclusively for industrial purposes; – appliances intended to be used in locations where special conditions prevail, such as the presence of a corrosive or explosive atmosphere (dust, vapour or gas); – audio, video and similar electronic apparatus (IEC 60065); – medical electrical equipment (IEC 60601 series); – hand-held motor-operated electric tools (IEC 60745 series); – information technology equipment (IEC 60950-1); – transportable motor-operated electric tools (IEC 61029 series); – audio/video, information and communication technology equipment (IEC 62368-1); – electric motor-operated hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery (IEC 62841 series)”. We read the text of the standard in the sample of IEC 60335-1:2020 (sixth edition, with Interpretation Sheet 1 of 2021-11 and Corrigendum 1 of 2021-12; the Polish standard introduces them via EN IEC 60335-1:2023) from the cover to part of Clause 2: table of contents, foreword, introduction, Clause 1 and the beginning of the list of references. We do not have Clauses 3–32 (definitions, test conditions, all requirements and tests), Annexes A–U or the European amendment A11 — we know them only from the table of contents and from the PKN card.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF IEC 60335-1:2020 (table of contents, foreword, introduction, Clause 1, beginning of Clause 2). The standard was prepared by IEC/TC 61 “Safety of household and similar electrical appliances”. The sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition of 2010 with Amendments 1:2013 and 2:2016 and is a technical revision; the foreword lists among others: alignment with the latest editions of dated references, conversion of many notes into normative text, information on TC 61 guidance documents, clarification of PELV circuits, clarification of the measurement of power input and rated current varying over the operating cycle (normative Annex S replaced with an informative one), mechanical strength requirements for appliances with integral pins for insertion into socket-outlets, revised requirements for battery-operated appliances and a new Clause 12 “Charging of metal-ion batteries”, test probe 18, requirements for appliances with socket-outlets accessible to the user, clarification of functional earth, a moisture resistance test for appliances with an automatic cord reel and a second IP numeral, limits on the output voltage of safety extra-low voltage outlets and USB under abnormal operation, requirements on optical radiation, extension of Annex R (software) and a new normative Annex U — protection against unauthorized access and the effects of transmission failures in remote communication through public networks. Part 1 is used together with the relevant part 2 of the series, which supplements or modifies its clauses for the type of appliance; the sixth edition is to be used only with parts 2 established on its basis. In the text, requirements are in roman type, test specifications in italic type, and terms defined in Clause 3 in bold. The committee recommends national implementation not earlier than 12 and not later than 36 months from publication. National differences listed in the foreword include: the ambient temperature for tests (5.7) of 25 °C ± 10 °C in Japan and 27 °C ± 5 °C in India; class 0 and class 0I appliances not allowed (6.1), among others in the European Union; a different test circuit and leakage current limits in India (13.2). Introduction: the execution of the provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced persons; the standard recognizes the internationally accepted level of protection against electrical, mechanical, thermal, fire and radiation hazards when operated as in normal use taking into account the manufacturer’s instructions, also covers abnormal situations that can be expected in practice and the way electromagnetic phenomena can affect safe operation; it takes into account the requirements of IEC 60364 (installations) as far as possible, though national wiring rules may differ; if the functions of an appliance are covered by different parts 2, each is applied to the relevant function separately, taking into account the influence of one function on the other; when a part 2 adds no requirements for a hazard dealt with in Part 1, Part 1 applies; the standard is a product family standard and takes precedence over horizontal and generic standards; an appliance that complies with the text need not be considered to comply with its safety principles if, when tested, it has other features impairing the level of safety; an appliance of different materials or construction may be tested according to the intent of the requirements and accepted if found substantially equivalent. Note 3 of the introduction refers non-safety aspects to TC 59 standards (methods of measuring performance), CISPR 11, CISPR 14-1 and the IEC 61000-3 series (electromagnetic emissions), CISPR 14-2 (immunity) and TC 111 standards (environment). Table of contents — clauses: 1 Scope, 2 Normative references, 3 Terms and definitions, 4 General requirement, 5 General conditions for the tests, 6 Classification, 7 Marking and instructions, 8 Protection against access to live parts, 9 Starting of motor-operated appliances, 10 Power input and current, 11 Heating, 12 Charging of metal-ion batteries, 13 Leakage current and electric strength at operating temperature, 14 Transient overvoltages, 15 Moisture resistance, 16 Leakage current and electric strength, 17 Overload protection of transformers and associated circuits, 18 Endurance, 19 Abnormal operation, 20 Stability and mechanical hazards, 21 Mechanical strength, 22 Construction, 23 Internal wiring, 24 Components, 25 Supply connection and external flexible cords, 26 Terminals for external conductors, 27 Provision for earthing, 28 Screws and connections, 29 Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation, 30 Resistance to heat and fire, 31 Resistance to rusting, 32 Radiation, toxicity and similar hazards; Annexes A–U, among others A — routine tests, B — battery-operated appliances, C — ageing test on motors, E — needle-flame test, O — selection and sequence of the tests of Clause 30, Q — sequence of tests for the evaluation of electronic circuits, R — software evaluation, U — remote communication through public networks; Figures 1–4 — circuits for leakage current measurement at operating temperature (single-phase and three-phase, class II and other). References (beginning of the list): among others IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-31 (rough handling shocks), IEC 60068-2-75 (hammer tests), IEC 60068-2-78 (damp heat, steady state), IEC 60112 (tracking indices), IEC 60529 (IP code), IEC 60598-1 (luminaires), IEC 60664-1, -3 and -4 (insulation coordination), IEC 60695-2-11, -2-12, -2-13 (glow-wire tests), IEC 60695-10-2 (ball pressure test), IEC 60695-11-5 (needle flame).

STATUS (catalogue cards as of 03.10.2026). The card of PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04 (English version, published 23-04-2024, 221 pages, price group XE) has no “Withdrawn” header: Electrical Sector, KT 63 Electrical Household Equipment, ICS 13.120 and 97.030, “Introduces: EN IEC 60335-1:2023 [IDT], IEC 60335-1:2020 [IDT], IEC 60335-1:2020/COR1:2021 [IDT]”, “Replaces”: PN-EN 60335-1:2012 and its amendments (the list on the card is truncated), “Additional elements”: PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04/A11:2024-10. The card of amendment A11:2024-10 (English version, 56 pages; introduces EN IEC 60335-1:2023/A11:2023): the introduction and Clauses 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29 and 32 were modified, Annexes A, L, P and ZA–ZH added. The card of PN-EN 60335-1:2012 (Polish version, 196 pages) has the header “Withdrawn”: withdrawal date 23-04-2024, “Replaced by: PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04”; it introduced EN 60335-1:2012 [IDT] and IEC 60335-1:2010 [MOD], with the line “Directive: 2006/42/EC, 2014/35/EU”; the card also records partial replacement by PN-EN 62841-1:2015-11 for lawn and garden tools. The card of amendment PN-EN 60335-1:2012/A16:2024-04 (published 16-04-2024) gives the withdrawal date 23-04-2024 — seven days after publication. What changed for the result: the 2024 edition introduces IEC 60335-1:2020, a technical revision against the 2010 edition (list of changes a)–t) in the IEC foreword); amendment A11 touches among others Clauses 8, 11, 13, 16 and 27, for which laboratories have accredited tests — we have not read the content of the changes. The card of the 2024 edition has no “Directive” line; we have not checked the harmonized standard status.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 03.10.2026). The number 60335-1 (without sheets 60335-1-x and without parts 2) appears in 34 records at 8 laboratories: AB 003, AB 022, AB 024, AB 044, AB 261, AB 308, AB 1552, AB 1555. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 03.10.2026, issues from 21.08.2025 to 08.09.2026): AB 022 and AB 261 — only PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04 (AB 261 also with A11:2024-10); AB 024 — only PN-EN 60335-1:2012 with amendments; AB 003, AB 044 and AB 1552 — both editions; AB 308 — “PN-EN IEC 60335-1”, “EN IEC 60335-1” and “IEC 60335-1” without date; AB 1555 — “PN-EN 60335-1:2012” and “PN-EN 60335-1:2024-04” (a designation without “IEC”, which the PKN card does not give). The “Laboratories” tab shows 6 laboratories for the key “PN-EN IEC 60335-1” (AB 003, AB 022, AB 044, AB 261, AB 308, AB 1552) and 5 for the key “PN-EN 60335-1” (AB 003, AB 024, AB 044, AB 1552, AB 1555); only both keys together give all 8; checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA scopes). “Characteristics and properties for the assessment of safety in use” of household and similar appliances: durability of marking, protection against access to live parts (8.1.1–8.1.3 at AB 261), starting of motor-operated appliances, power input and current (AB 024: power up to 18 kW, current up to 80 A; AB 003: power up to 60 kW, current up to 100 A, voltage up to 10 kV), temperature rises, leakage current and electric strength at operating temperature and after the humidity test, surge overvoltages, moisture resistance (IPX1–IPX7 at AB 1552), overload protection of transformers, earthing resistance (Clause 27 at AB 1555), hammer tests (21.1 together with PN-EN 60068-2-75 at AB 261). Products: warming plates, deep fryers, kitchen machines, room heaters, skin and hair care appliances, electric blankets and pads (AB 024); household and commercial refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances (AB 308 — 18 records, together with parts 2 of the series, among others 60335-2-24).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Choice of edition: the sixth edition of IEC 60335-1 may only be used with parts 2 established on its basis (foreword) — testing to the 2024 Part 1 with a part 2 based on the 2010 edition can produce a report with correct measurements and a wrong combination of requirements. Part 2: Part 1 alone is not enough — part 2 supplements or modifies its clauses, and where it adds nothing, Part 1 applies (introduction); a “pass” according to Part 1 alone does not say whether the requirements for the type of appliance are met. Ambient conditions: national differences change the ambient temperature for tests (5.7) — a heating result obtained under conditions other than those adopted in the country of destination needs checking. Assessment: an appliance complying with the text of the standard need not be considered safe if it has other features impairing safety (introduction). Designation: the 2012 edition has been withdrawn since 23-04-2024 and still appears in scopes — at one laboratory as the only one — and next to the designation “PN-EN 60335-1:2024-04”, which the PKN card does not know.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have Clauses 3–32 or the annexes: definitions, test conditions, leakage current limits, electric strength test voltages, permissible temperature rises, IP codes and moisture test conditions, hammer test energies, requirements for clearances or the content of amendment A11 — so we give none of these values.

Method principle

The appliance is tested according to Part 1 together with the relevant part 2: under normal operation and in foreseeable abnormal conditions, marking, access to live parts, starting, power input and current, heating, leakage current and electric strength (at operating temperature and after the humidity test), resistance to overvoltages and moisture, mechanical strength, construction, earthing, clearances and resistance to heat and fire are checked, and the results are compared with the requirements of the standard.

Applications

• Household and similar electrical appliances (up to 250 V single-phase, up to 480 V other, also DC and battery-operated) — 8 laboratories in PCA scopes
• Kitchen and heating appliances: warming plates, deep fryers, kitchen machines, room heaters, electric blankets — together with the relevant parts 2
• Household and commercial refrigerating appliances and ice-cream appliances — together with part 2-24 and other parts 2
• Appliances used by laymen in shops, light industry and on farms (scope of the standard)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04 + A11:2024-10

Title (PL)

Elektryczny sprzęt do użytku domowego i podobnego — Bezpieczeństwo użytkowania — Część 1: Wymagania ogólne

Title (EN)

Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 1: General requirements

Step-by-step procedure

1. Edition and part 2

   Establish the relevant part 2 for the type of appliance and its edition matching the edition of Part 1. PN-EN IEC 60335-1:2024-04 + A11:2024-10 current, PN-EN 60335-1:2012 withdrawn 23-04-2024 (PKN catalogue cards as of 03.10.2026).

2. Classification and marking

   Classification of the appliance (Clause 6) and check of marking and instructions, including durability of marking (Clause 7).

3. Tests in normal operation

   Access to live parts, starting, power input and current, heating, leakage current and electric strength at operating temperature, overvoltages, moisture (Clauses 8–16); test conditions according to Clause 5 (we do not have the text).

4. Abnormal operation and construction

   Overload of transformers, endurance, abnormal operation, mechanical hazards, mechanical strength, construction, earthing, clearances, resistance to heat and fire (Clauses 17–32).

5. Assessment

   Comparison of results with the requirements of Part 1 as modified by part 2; assessment also of features not described in the standard that may impair safety (introduction).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Electric strength tests and leakage current measurements are performed live — a test station with guards and interlocks, operated by qualified persons (the standard assumes that its provisions are executed by qualified and experienced persons)
• Abnormal operation and fire resistance tests may ignite the appliance under test — non-combustible test station, with an extinguisher

Frequently asked questions