IEC 60335 Household and Similar Electrical Appliances - Safety

In the IEC 60335 standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the requirements, classifications, markings and instructions for the safety of household appliances and similar electrical devices are explained and test methods are defined. This standard consists of two main parts under the main heading of "Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety".

The standard “IEC 60335-1 Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 1: General requirements” states that the rated voltage is more than 250 Volts for single-phase devices and 480 Volts for other devices, including devices with direct current supply and battery-powered devices. It is concerned with the safety of electrical appliances for non-domestic and similar purposes. Appliances that are a source of danger to humans, such as appliances not intended for normal household use but still intended for use by ordinary people in shops, light industry and on farms, are also covered by this standard. This standard deals with the reasonably foreseeable hazards presented by devices faced by all persons. However, it generally does not include:

• Persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge prevent them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction
• Children playing with the device

For devices intended for use in vehicles, ships or aircraft, additional requirements have been introduced by government agencies in many countries.

The IEC 60335-1 standard does not apply to devices such as:

• Devices for industrial purposes only
• Devices intended for use where special conditions prevail, such as the presence of a corrosive or explosive atmosphere (dust, vapor or gas)
• Audio, video and similar electronic devices
• Medical electrical equipment
• hand held power tools
• information technology equipment
• Portable power tools
• Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment
• Electric powered hand tools, portable tools and lawn and garden machines

The second part of the IEC 60335 standard has many sub-titles and these standards contain guidelines for supplementing or modifying the relevant clauses in this section to provide the relevant requirements for each device type. The IEC 60335-1 standard is used together with these standards in the second part.

The IEC 60335-2 standard details specific requirements for certain types of devices. This section contains more than 100 different types of devices. The following list covers only a small part:

• IEC 60335-2-2 Special rules for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning devices. This standard deals with the safety of vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning devices for household and similar purposes, including vacuum cleaners for animal care, with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 Volts. This standard also applies to motorized cleaning heads associated with a particular vacuum cleaner and current-carrying hoses. Battery powered devices and other DC powered devices are within the scope of this standard. Devices that are intended to be used for normal cleaning in hotels, offices, schools, hospitals and similar places and that may be a source of danger to humans are within the scope of this standard. In short, this standard is concerned with the common hazards presented by appliances, which, as far as possible, are faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-3 Special requirements for electric irons. This standard relates to the safety of electric dry irons and steam irons, including those with a separate water tank for household and similar purposes with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 Volts or boilers with a capacity not exceeding 5 liters. As far as possible, this standard addresses the common hazards presented by appliances that are faced by all persons in and around the home. This standard does not apply to irons designed for industrial purposes only, or to ironing machines intended for use where special conditions prevail, such as the presence of a corrosive or explosive atmosphere (dust, steam or gas).
• IEC 60335-2-4 Special rules for dryers. This standard concerns the safety of self-contained electric dryers in washing machines with a drying capacity not exceeding 10 kg and having separate containers for washing and spin extraction for household and similar purposes. This standard covers machines with a drum circumferential speed not exceeding 50 m/s and rated voltages not more than 250 Volts for single-phase devices and 480 Volts for other devices. As far as possible, this standard addresses the common hazards presented by appliances that are encountered by people in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-5 Special rules for dishwashers. This standard deals with the safety of electric dishwashers for household and similar purposes designed for washing and rinsing dishes, cutlery and other utensils with a rated voltage of not more than 250 Volts and 480 Volts for single-phase appliances. However, if the appliance is designed for professional use for washing and rinsing dishes and cutlery and other commercial utensils, the appliance is not considered for domestic and similar use only. This standard deals, as far as possible, with the common hazards presented by appliances, which are faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-6 Special requirements for fixed hobs, hobs, ovens and similar appliances. This standard specifies a fixed voltage of not more than 250 Volts for single-phase appliances connected between a phase and a neutral, and 480 Volts for other appliances. It concerns the safety of electric cookers, cookers, ovens and similar appliances for domestic use. This standard also contains some requirements for furnaces intended for use on ships. Examples of devices covered by this standard are: grates; induction cookers, pyrolytic self-cleaning ovens and steam ovens. This standard deals, as far as possible, with the common hazards presented by appliances, which are faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-7 Special rules for washing machines. This standard deals with the safety of electric washing machines for household and similar use, intended for washing linen and textiles, with a rated voltage of not more than 250 Volts for single-phase appliances and 480 Volts for other appliances. This standard also covers the safety of household and similar electric washing machines that use electrolyte instead of detergent. Additional requirements for these devices are included in the standard annex (Annex CC). Requirements that can be used to provide an acceptable level of protection against electrical and thermal hazards for washing machines with a power driven spinner are contained in Annex DD. Examples of such devices are washing machines for communal use in apartment blocks or laundries. As far as possible, this standard addresses the common hazards posed by washing machines faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-8 Special rules for shavers, hair clippers and similar devices. This standard deals with the safety of household and similar electric shavers, hair clippers and similar appliances with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 Volts. For example, devices for manicure and pedicure, such as animal clippers and hairdressing tools. This standard deals, as far as possible, with the common hazards presented by appliances, which are faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-9 Specific rules for grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances. This standard deals with the safety of portable electrical appliances for household and similar purposes, with a rated voltage of not more than 250 Volts, with cooking functions such as baking, frying and grilling. Examples of appliances covered by this standard are: barbecues for indoor use, bread makers, grills, cookers, food dryers, induction wok cookers, popcorn makers, portable ovens, raclette grills, roasters, rotary grills and toasters. As far as possible, this standard addresses common hazards from appliances that are faced by all persons in and around the home.
• IEC 60335-2-10 Specific rules for floor tillage machines and wet scrubbing machines. :This standard deals with the safety of electric floor tillage and wet scrubbing machines intended for domestic and similar purposes, with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 Volts, including appliances supplied with direct current and appliances powered by batteries. Examples of floor treatment machines to which this standard applies are: floor buffers, floor polishers and floor polishers. Examples of wet scrubbing machines to which this standard applies are: floor scrubbers, rug shampoos, upholstery shampoos. This standard deals, as far as possible, with the common hazards presented by appliances, which are faced by all persons in and around the home.

Several other standards published under the IEC 60335-2 standard include (but are not limited to):

• IEC 60335-2-11 Special rules for dryers
• IEC 60335-2-12 Special rules for heating plates and similar devices
• IEC 60335-2-13 Special rules for fryers, frying pans and similar appliances
• IEC 60335-2-14 Special rules for kitchen machines
• IEC 60335-2-15 Special rules for devices for heating liquids
• IEC 60335-2-16 Special requirements for food waste shredders
• IEC 60335-2-17 Special requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating devices
• IEC 60335-2-21 Special rules for storage water heaters
• IEC 60335-2-23 Special rules for devices for skin or hair care
• IEC 60335-2-24 Special rules for refrigeration appliances, freezing appliances and ice makers
• IEC 60335-2-25 Special rules for microwave ovens, including combination microwave ovens
• IEC 60335-2-26 Special rules for clocks
• IEC 60335-2-27 Special rules for devices for skin exposure to optical radiation
• IEC 60335-2-28 Special rules for sewing machines
• IEC 60335-2-29 Special requirements for battery chargers
• IEC 60335-2-30 Special requirements for room heaters

Our organization, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, also provides test services for the safety of home and similar electrical household appliances, within the scope of the IEC 60335 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.