EN IEC 62368 Audio/Visual, Information and Communication Technology Equipment

The "EN IEC 62368 Audio/visual, information and communication technology equipment" standard, which is based on a European standard and subsequently published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard "EN IEC 62368-1 Part 1: Safety requirements" applies to the safety of electrical and electronic equipment in the field of audiovisual, information, and communication technology, as well as business and office machinery with a nominal voltage not exceeding 600 volts. This standard does not include requirements regarding the performance or functional characteristics of the equipment. It is a product safety standard that classifies energy sources, specifies protective measures against these energy sources, and provides guidance on the application and requirements of these protective measures. The specified protective measures are intended to reduce the likelihood of suffering, injury, and property damage in the event of fire.

Essentially, this standard consists of the following headings:

• General requirements
• Electrical injury
• Electrical fire
• Injury caused by hazardous materials
• Mechanically induced injury
• Heat-related injury
• Radiation

The latest update includes the following important technical changes compared to the previous one:

• Added requirements for outdoor equipment
• New requirements for optical radiation have been added
• Requirements for insulating liquids have been added
• Requirements for work cells have been added
• Added requirements for wireless power transmitters
• Requirements for fully insulated winding wire have been added
• Added alternative method for determining top, bottom and side openings for fire enclosures
• Alternative requirements for sound pressure have been added.

This standard is intended to be used primarily as a product safety standard for the products specified in the scope.

This section is the core part of the standard. It outlines the design and testing requirements for equipment to protect users from electrical, thermal, mechanical, and other hazards. It presents a hazard-based safety engineering approach.

Essentially, this standard combines and replaces two older standards:

• IEC 60065 Safety of audio, video and similar electronic equipment
• IEC 60950-1 Safety of information technology equipment

This chapter is a technical report that provides background, guidance, and explanations for understanding and applying the EN IEC 62368-1 standard. It is particularly useful for designers and compliance engineers.

• EN IEC 62368-3 Part 3: Safety aspects for DC power transmission via communication cables and ports" applies to equipment designed to supply and receive operating power via communication cables or ports. It specifies particular requirements for circuits designed to transfer DC power from a power supply equipment to a powered device. The power transfer uses voltages as ES1 or ES2, or in very special cases, voltage levels as ES3. ES1 can generally be assumed to have limits similar to the definitions of non-hazardous voltages used in other standards. ES2 can generally be assumed to have limits similar to the definitions of non-hazardous voltages used in other standards for single-fault conditions.

The goal of this process is to test the role and privilege manipulation in order to access the resources of a

• For power transfer using voltages from ES1
• For power transfer using voltages from ES2: analog telephone during ringing
• For power transmission using voltages from ES3: power supply used by communication service providers and utilities communication circuits

Any cable provided with a connector defined by an industry standard that allows DC power transfer between devices is considered a communications cable, even if no communication is taking place. For example, a USB cable can only be used to charge the battery of a portable device.

This section provides additional requirements for outdoor equipment, such as weather resistance, UV protection or surge resistance.

In today's interconnected world, the boundaries between traditional audiovisual equipment and information technology devices are increasingly blurred. Televisions now connect to the internet, computers stream high-definition media, and smart devices dominate both consumer and professional markets. To ensure user safety in this evolving environment, the EN IEC 62368 standards were developed, offering a modern, hazard-focused approach to product safety.

The need for a uniform standard arose from the increasing convergence of technologies and devices. These standards are designed not simply as a rulebook but also as a hazard-based safety engineering standard. This means they focus on identifying potential hazards early in the design process and managing them through safety mechanisms.

In general, the main features of EN IEC 62368 standards are:

• Hazard-based safety engineering: Unlike standards that focus on specific products, EN IEC 62368 standards focus on potential hazards, including:
  • Electric shock
  • Fire
  • Mechanical injury
  • Thermal burn
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Chemical hazards

By focusing on energy sources and how they interact with users or the environment, these standards give designers greater flexibility and room for innovation while ensuring safety.

• Energy source classifications: These standards divide energy sources into three classes:
  • Class 1: Not hazardous
  • Class 2: May cause injury or pain, but not serious harm
  • Class 3: Hazardous and may cause injury or death

This classification is important in determining the necessary security measures.

• Protection concepts: These standards require the implementation of appropriate protection measures, including:
  • Basic and additional insulation
  • Protective earthing connections
  • Fire enclosures
  • Temperature control mechanisms

These are designed to interrupt energy transfer or reduce it to a safe level.

The main advantages of these standards are:

• Future-proof: Designed to adapt to emerging technologies like wireless charging and high-speed connectivity.
• Flexibility: Encourages innovative design while maintaining security.
• Combined compliance: Simplifies regulatory compliance for products with multiple functions (e.g., smart TVs, multimedia computers).
• Risk reduction: Encourages proactive security design rather than reactive solutions.

Manufacturers must:

• Analyzing energy sources and potential hazards in the early stages of the design process
• Implement appropriate security measures based on risk
• Documenting security strategies for testing and certification
• Working closely with advanced laboratories to effectively interpret and implement these standards

As a result, the EN IEC 62368 standards represent a significant advancement in product safety standards for electronic equipment. By shifting from prescriptive rules to a hazard-focused approach, they offer manufacturers the flexibility to innovate while ensuring user safety. Implementing these standards is essential for global market access and long-term product reliability.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, conducts testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors with a skilled team and extensive infrastructure. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN IEC 62368 Audio/Visual, Information and Communication Technology Equipment standard.