⚡ Portable general purpose luminaires for indoor and outdoor use — particular requirements and tests: classification (IPX4 outdoors), marking, stability on a 6° and 15° plane, wiring, protection against electric shock, thermal and ingress tests in the overturned position; PN-EN 60598-2-4

Electronics and EMC PN-EN 60598-2-4

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. IEC 60598-2-4:2017 (point 4.1) specifies requirements for portable general purpose luminaires for indoor and/or outdoor use (e.g. garden use), other than handlamps, designed to be used with or incorporating electrical light sources on supply voltages not exceeding 250 V. The standard is used together with IEC 60598-1 (Luminaires — Part 1: General requirements and tests); foreword: the edition was established on the basis of the eighth edition of IEC 60598-1 (2014). Normative references: IEC 60598-1 (undated) and IEC 61032:1997 (enclosures — test probes). Additional term (4.3.1): candlestick luminaire — a portable luminaire having series-connected lamps permanently mounted and separated on a free-standing frame; it can have E5 or E10 lampholders. Tests are carried out according to Section 0 of IEC 60598-1, in the order listed in this part (4.4). The “Scope” field of the PKN card: (in Polish) “This part of IEC 60598-2 specifies requirements for portable general purpose luminaires for indoor and/or outdoor use (e.g. for garden use), other than handlamps, intended for use with light sources or incorporating light sources on supply voltages not exceeding 250 V.”

CLASSIFICATION AND MARKING (points 4.5–4.6). According to the intended use: ordinary luminaires are classified for indoor use only; luminaires other than ordinary are classified “for indoor use only” if marked according to 4.6.1, and the others — for outdoor use (as the requirements for outdoor use are more severe, they are also suitable for indoor use). According to the degree of protection against dust and moisture, portable luminaires for outdoor use are classified IPX4 or higher. According to the material of the supporting surface, luminaires standing on a floor or table are classified as suitable for direct mounting on normally flammable surfaces. Marking: Section 3 of IEC 60598-1 with additions — a luminaire other than ordinary not intended for outdoor use (e.g. with a PVC supply cord) bears the “for indoor use only” symbol (Fig. 1, IEC 60417-5957:2004-12), explained in the instructions; an outdoor luminaire with a socket-outlet bears, near the socket-outlet, the maximum power calculated from the current rating of the supply cable.

CONSTRUCTION (point 4.7). The insulation of flexible cables and cords must not be likely to be damaged when moving, adjusting or placing the luminaire (inspection). Wiring that could rub against metal parts is fixed by carriers of insulating material (or with a fixed insulating lining where they are accessible or in contact with accessible metal parts). Stability (4.7.3): the luminaire in the most unfavourable adjustment position of normal use is placed on a plane inclined at 6° to the horizontal (indoor luminaires) or 15° (outdoor luminaires; the surface must not allow sliding), with the appropriate light source for the intended use in place and with due consideration of the manufacturer’s instructions — the luminaire shall not overturn; luminaires fastened by clamps are not subjected to this test. Candlestick luminaires shall have a switch — with E5 or E10 lampholders switching all lamps simultaneously, in the luminaire or in the cord within 300 mm of the luminaire; E5 lampholders are used only at a rated voltage not exceeding 25 V per lampholder, and for E10 — 60 V in series connection or 250 V in parallel connection; maximum rated wattage of the luminaire 100 W. Outdoor luminaires: no tails (subclause 4.6 of Section 4 of IEC 60598-1 does not apply), at most two cable entries, the connection between the socket-outlet for supplying other luminaires and the plug at least with the degree of protection of the luminaire, not less than IPX4, with or without a plug inserted; lampholders and plugs of material resistant to tracking (test of 13.4 of IEC 60598-1). Socket-outlets on Class II luminaires shall allow connection only of other Class II luminaires, and those on Class I luminaires — only of Class I or II luminaires.

WIRING, PROTECTION, TESTS (points 4.8–4.16). Creepage distances and clearances — Section 11 of IEC 60598-1; earthing — Section 7; terminals — Sections 14 and 15. Wiring (Section 5 of IEC 60598-1 with modifications): the requirement that at least one part of the cord anchorage shall be fixed to or integral with the luminaire does not apply to indoor table lamps of glass or ceramic material; indoor luminaires of class I and II with a mass below 1 kg, a rated current up to 2,5 A and a flexible cable up to 2 m — copper conductor cross-section of at least 0,5 mm²; outdoor luminaires delivered without a cable and plug — terminals, cord anchorage and inlet opening (inspection, if necessary pull and torque test); non-detachable cables of class I and II outdoor luminaires — not lighter than type 245 IEC 57. Protection against electric shock — Section 8 of IEC 60598-1; portable class I luminaires with lampholders for bayonet cap lamps either have the lamp cap inaccessible to the jointed test finger (Fig. 2 of IEC 61032:1997) or an earthed metal lampholder. Endurance and thermal tests — Section 12; luminaires with an IP classification greater than IP20 undergo the tests of 12.4–12.7 after the test of 9.2 and before the test of 9.3; floor luminaires and pendants are supported as in normal use, table and adjustable luminaires are tested on a dull black painted board (similar to that described in Annex D of IEC 60598-1); standing indoor luminaires that overturn on a 15° plane are additionally tested according to 12.5.1 on a horizontal surface in the most unfavourable overturned position reasonably to be expected. Dust and moisture — Section 9; outdoor luminaires are tested in the most unfavourable overturned position. Insulation resistance and electric strength — Section 10; resistance to heat, fire and tracking — Section 13. According to the note to 4.5, in Australia and New Zealand AS/NZS 60598.2.4 introduces Appendix A “Simple Portable Luminaires”, and according to the note to 4.11.4, PVC-insulated cables are acceptable there for outdoor use.

EDITION. The third edition IEC 60598-2-4:2017 (IEC subcommittee SC 34D Luminaires, technical committee TC 34) cancelled and replaced the second edition of 1997 and is a technical revision. Changes according to the foreword: alignment with IEC 60598-1; extension of the scope, classification and requirements to portable luminaires for indoor and outdoor use by transferring the requirements of IEC 60598-2-7 (to be withdrawn after publication of this standard); extension of the scope to all electrical light sources (previously only tungsten filament, tubular fluorescent and other discharge lamps); a symbol for luminaires other than ordinary but for indoor use only; stability test on an inclined plane with the light source in place; minimum degree of protection of outdoor luminaires raised from IPX3 to IPX4 (the cable entry position requirements of IEC 60598-2-7:1982 were deleted as covered by IPX4); modified acceptance criteria for plugs and socket-outlets; IP test in the most unfavourable overturned position for all classes (previously only class II). IEC publication page (read on 06.11.2026): edition 3.0 of 2017-04-21, 10 pages, stability date 2026, work on a new edition at the stage “Approved for CDV”.

STATUS (PKN card as of 06.11.2026). The card of PN-EN 60598-2-4:2018-06 (English version) has no withdrawal label: published 04-06-2018, 24 pages, Electrical Sector, KT 4 Lighting Technology, “Adopts: EN 60598-2-4:2018 [IDT], IEC 60598-2-4:2017 [MOD]”, “Directive: 2014/35/EU”, “Replaces: PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002 - Polish version, PN-EN 60598-2-7:2000 - Polish version”, ICS 29.140.40. The [MOD] designation next to IEC means that the European standard adopted the IEC text with modifications — the description in this entry is based on the IEC text and does not contain the European modifications. PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002, still cited by three laboratories (at AB 1714 as the only edition), has therefore been replaced by the 2018-06 edition (we know this from the “Replaces” field of the 2018 card; we did not read the card of the 2002 edition); PN-EN 60598-2-7:2000 has also been replaced — consistent with the IEC foreword on the transfer of its requirements. Whether a Polish version of the 2018 edition exists — we did not check (the PKN search did not respond); whether the standard is in the list of standards harmonised with Directive 2014/35/EU — we did not check.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database of 02.11.2026; “Laboratories” tab on labcoda.pl, 06.11.2026). The number 60598-2-4 appears in 7 records at 6 Polish laboratories: AB 003, AB 022 (two), AB 024, AB 044, AB 1552, AB 1714. Forms: “PN-EN 60598-2-4:2018-06” alone (AB 022 — both records, AB 1552) or with “EN 60598-2-4:2018” and “IEC 60598-2-4:2017” (AB 003); “PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002 PN-EN 60598-2-4:2018-06” (AB 024); both PN-EN editions with EN and IEC 1997 and 2018/2017 (AB 044); “PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002” alone (AB 1714, together with CIE 84:1989, CIE 70:1987, PN-EN 13032-1+A1:2012 and PN-EN 60598-2-8:2013-12). We count the form “60598-2-4” not followed by a digit (e.g. 60598-2-40 is not counted). Outside Poland there are 12 records at 4 Czech laboratories (1004.3, 1045.1, 1056, 1279 — “ČSN EN 60598-2-4” with edition and clauses, usually next to other parts of the series). The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 60598-2-4”, matching by family and number) shows 10 laboratories: these 6 Polish and 4 Czech ones, with the same number of items as the copy (query of the tab on labcoda.pl, 06.11.2026). We did not compare the current PCA scope documents of these laboratories with the copy.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (database copy, complete items). Portable general purpose luminaires — characteristics for the assessment of safety in use: durability of marking, power up to 60 kW, voltage up to 10 kV, current up to 100 A, protection against access to live parts, insulation resistance up to 100 MΩ at 500 V, electric strength of insulation up to 6 kV, resistance of the protective circuit with current up to 25 A, forces up to 500 N, temperature up to 800 °C, resistance to high temperature 125 °C and to glow 950 °C, leakage current up to 10 mA, resistance to humidity 93 ± 2 % at (20–30) °C, insulation distances 150 mm, linear dimension up to 2 m, stability up to 45°, mechanical protection degrees IK01–IK10 (AB 003); the same group and portable garden luminaires — from durability of marking, dimensions, mechanical strength and stability, protective connections, protection against electric shock, resistance to ingress of dust, solid objects and water, insulation and distances, endurance and operating temperatures, resistance to heat, fire and tracking, terminals — to luminous intensity distribution, luminous flux, switching capability after failure of the normal supply, battery charging current and simulation of normal supply failure (AB 022, two items with the same list); characteristics according to PN-EN 60598-1:2015-04 with A1:2018-04 and PN-EN IEC 60598-1:2021-07 with A11:2022-11 (AB 024); characteristics according to PN-EN IEC 60598-1:2021-07 and 2021-07/A11:2022-12 (AB 1552); from durability of marking, current and power consumption, connectability of external conductors and mechanical strength (impacts, torsion, drops, bending, vibration) to photobiological hazard, leakage current, resistance to dust and water, insulation after humidity treatment, temperature rises in normal and abnormal operation and corrosion resistance (AB 044); portable general purpose luminaires and handlamps — luminous flux (0–50 000) lm, luminance (0–500 000) cd/m², directional luminous intensity (0–50 000) cd, luminous intensity distribution curve, luminous efficacy (calculated), colour temperature and chromaticity (AB 1714 — photometric measurements, not safety).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Preparation: stability is tested with the light source appropriate for the intended use in place (a change in the 2017 edition compared with 1997) and in the most unfavourable adjustment position — a luminaire without a light source or in a favourable position “passes” a test that it would not pass in use; the angle of the plane depends on the classification: 6° for indoor luminaires, 15° for outdoor ones. Measurement: outdoor luminaires are tested for ingress in the most unfavourable overturned position (the 1997 edition required this only for class II), and luminaires with a degree of protection greater than IP20 undergo the thermal tests of Section 12 at a specified place in the sequence of the tests of Section 9 — a different sequence is a different test. Classification: an outdoor luminaire must have at least IPX4 — a result of IPX3, conforming to the 1997 edition, does not meet the 2017 edition. Edition: items citing PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002 (alone at AB 1714, next to the 2018 edition at AB 024 and AB 044) concern the edition before these changes — the report must state the edition used; likewise the edition of Part 1 must be stated, because the scopes combine this standard with PN-EN 60598-1:2015-04 and with PN-EN IEC 60598-1:2021-07 (a separate entry of this database covers the general requirements of PN-EN IEC 60598-1), while the 2017 edition was based on IEC 60598-1:2014. The item of AB 1714 is photometric measurement of luminaires (flux, luminance, distribution) with CIE standards and PN-EN 13032-1 — it is not a safety test according to this standard.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. The text of IEC 60598-2-4:2017 we read (iTeh sample, bilingual version 2018-07 and English version) covers the foreword and the whole normative part, points 4.1–4.16 (Fig. 1 as a symbol); it does not cover the bibliography. We did not read the text of EN 60598-2-4:2018 — according to the PKN card it adopts IEC 60598-2-4:2017 with modifications [MOD], so the Polish standard may differ from the IEC text we read in places we do not know; the values in this entry come from the IEC text. We do not give the content of the sections of IEC 60598-1 to which the standard refers (values and course of the thermal, ingress, insulation and fire tests), nor Appendix A of AS/NZS 60598.2.4. We did not check the status of PN-EN 60598-1 and PN-EN IEC 60598-1 in the editions cited in the scopes on PKN cards. We did not check references to the standard in legislation.

Method principle

A portable luminaire is tested according to the general requirements of IEC 60598-1 — in the order and with the modifications given in this part: classification (outdoor at least IPX4), marking (“for indoor use only” symbol, maximum power near the socket-outlet), construction (stability on a 6° or 15° plane with the light source in place, wiring, socket-outlets, candlestick lampholders), protection against electric shock, endurance and thermal tests (also in the overturned position), resistance to dust and moisture (outdoor luminaires in the overturned position), insulation and resistance to heat, fire and tracking; compliance is checked by inspection and by the tests specified in each point (IEC 60598-2-4:2017, points 4.4–4.16).

Applications

• Portable general purpose luminaires for indoor and outdoor use (e.g. garden luminaires), other than handlamps, up to 250 V (IEC 60598-2-4:2017, point 4.1)
• Table and floor lamps, candlestick luminaires with E5 and E10 lampholders, luminaires with socket-outlets for supplying other luminaires
• Since the 2017 edition also luminaires formerly covered by IEC 60598-2-7 and luminaires with any electrical light sources
• In accreditation scopes: 6 Polish laboratories — safety of luminaires (5 laboratories) and photometric measurements (1)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 60598-2-4:2018-06 (English version; adopts EN 60598-2-4:2018 [IDT] and IEC 60598-2-4:2017 [MOD])

Title (PL)

Oprawy oświetleniowe — Część 2: Wymagania szczegółowe — Dział 4: Oprawy oświetleniowe przenośne ogólnego przeznaczenia

Title (EN)

Luminaires — Part 2-4: Particular requirements — Portable general purpose luminaires

Step-by-step procedure

1. Classification and marking

   Determination of the intended use (ordinary — indoor; other than ordinary — “for indoor use only” or outdoor), degree of protection (outdoor ≥ IPX4), protection class; check of the “for indoor use only” symbol and of the power marking near the socket-outlet (points 4.5–4.6).

2. Construction and stability

   Inspection of cables, carriers, entries and socket-outlets; stability on a 6° or 15° plane in the most unfavourable position, with the light source in place (point 4.7).

3. Wiring, earthing, terminals, electric shock

   According to Sections 5, 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15 of IEC 60598-1 with the modifications of points 4.8–4.12 (cross-section ≥ 0,5 mm², cable 245 IEC 57, jointed finger at bayonet lampholders).

4. Thermal, IP, insulation and fire tests

   Sections 12, 9, 10 and 13 of IEC 60598-1 in the order of points 4.13–4.14 (for IP > IP20: 12.4–12.7 after 9.2, before 9.3); overturned position for outdoor luminaires and for indoor luminaires that overturn on a 15° plane (points 4.13–4.16).

5. Result

   Compliance with each point, stating the edition of this part and the edition of IEC 60598-1. PN-EN 60598-2-4:2018-06 — current (PKN card as of 06.11.2026; English version; IEC 60598-2-4:2017 adopted with modifications [MOD]).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Live tests (electric strength, leakage current) and fire tests — according to the rules of the electrical test station
• TECHNICAL NOTE: a result according to the 1997 edition (PN-EN 60598-2-4:2002) is not a result according to the 2017 edition — a different degree of protection for outdoor luminaires and different conditions for the stability and IP tests
• TECHNICAL NOTE: photometric measurements of luminaires (flux, distribution) are not a safety test according to this standard

Frequently asked questions