EN IEC 61587 Mechanical Structures for Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 Series

The standard “EN IEC 61587 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment - Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 Series”, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and later published as a European standard within the scope of harmonization efforts, consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN IEC 61587-1 Part 1: Environmental requirements, test setups and safety aspects” describes the environmental requirements, test setups and safety aspects for empty enclosures, i.e. cabinets, racks, sub-racks, chassis, chassis-integrated sub-racks and associated attachable units, during use and transport in indoor conditions. This standard defines classifications (product performance levels) for these products, taking into account and simulating loads typically encountered during use. Typical examples with simulated loads are used for mechanical static and dynamic load tests.

The primary aim of this standard is to establish uniform test procedures and performance classifications for empty containers used indoors and during transport. It focuses on:

• Environmental requirements
• Test setups and conditions
• Security aspects

The goal is to ensure these structures can withstand real-world mechanical and environmental stresses during production, storage, transportation, and final installation.

This standard defines climatic tests to assess durability under the following environmental conditions:

• Cold and dry heat
• Moist heat cycles
• Industrial atmospheres (e.g., pollution, corrosion)

These tests simulate real-world operating environments to verify reliability.

Within the scope of mechanical load testing, static load tests evaluate the ability of structures to carry loads without deformation or failure:

• Nominal load: Maximum load capacity
• Vertical structure test: Frame strength
• Rigidity test: Resistance to bending and deformation.

Dynamic load tests simulate real-world motion and transport conditions:

• Vibration tests (sinusoidal and random)
• Shock tests
• The standard “EN IEC 61587-2 Part 2: Seismic tests for cabinets and racks” describes seismic testing methods for cabinets and racks conforming to the IEC 60917 and 60297 standard series. This standard applies partially or completely to the mechanical structures of cabinets and racks for electronic equipment according to the aforementioned standard series. However, it does not apply to electronic equipment or systems that are presumed to be housed in these mechanical structures. This standard also does not apply to a cabinet or rack with an external or internal seismic-resistant isolation structure.

This standard aims to provide test conditions and criteria that establish a reference for evaluating the ability of the mechanical structure of cabinets or racks to withstand specified seismic intensities acceptably. To this end, the standard specifies test specimen conditions such as the dimensions of the cabinet and rack (i.e., height, width, and depth), load distribution, structural test condition, and the required response spectrum of uniaxial or triaxial acceleration as the seismic test wave condition. Uniaxial or triaxial acceleration can be selected.

The primary aim of this standard is to establish standardized seismic testing procedures for empty enclosed spaces and fully equipped systems. It applies to:

• Indoor installations
• Fixed equipment (e.g., bolted to the ground)
• Mechanical structures that support electrical/electronic devices.

This standard guarantees that the equipment will provide the following:

• Remaining structurally stable
• To prevent collapse or tipping over.
• Minimizing risk to people and infrastructure.

The following test methods are defined in this standard:

• Shaking table test: This method involves using a seismic simulation platform (shaking table). This is the most realistic and widely accepted method.
• Static equivalent methods: In some cases, simplified methods are used: static loads equivalent to seismic forces and analytical verification. These are less accurate but useful for preliminary assessments.
• The standard “EN IEC 61587-3 Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and lower racks” describes test methods for empty cabinets and lower racks regarding electromagnetic shielding performance in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 3000 MHz.

The attenuation values ​​specified for defining the protection performance level of cabinets and sub-racks for the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 standard series were selected. The protection performance levels were chosen according to the requirements of typical industrial application areas.

It supports measures to ensure electromagnetic compatibility, but cannot replace the final conformity test of the equipped enclosure.

The aim of this standard is to ensure the physical integrity and environmental performance of cabinets and sub-shelves, taking into account the need for different performance levels in different applications. It aims to provide the user with a level of confidence in selecting products that will meet their specific needs. This standard applies, in whole or in part, only to empty enclosures. For example, it does not apply to enclosures with electronic equipment installed, such as cabinets and sub-shelves according to IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 standards. Chassis can be tested in the same way as sub-shelves, and cases can be tested in the same way as cabinets.

The purpose of this standard is to establish standardized test methods for evaluating the protective effectiveness of enclosures. It applies to:

• Cabinets and shelves
• Lower shelves and chassis
• Housings for electronic systems

This standard guarantees that these structures will provide the following:

• Limiting electromagnetic emissions
• To protect internal components from external interference.
• The EN IEC 61587-4 Part 4: Combination of performance levels for modular enclosures standard offers combinations of different protection levels for enclosure systems in terms of IP code, climatic conditions, static and dynamic load tests, electromagnetic protection, and seismic requirements. By easily selecting the performance levels defined in this design guide, the most economical solution can be achieved by ordering an enclosure with specific features.

This standard focuses on the thermal performance evaluation of mechanical enclosures such as cabinets, racks, and sub-racks. It defines standardized methods for assessing how effectively these structures dissipate heat and maintain safe operating temperatures for installed electronic equipment.

The aim of this standard is to establish uniform test procedures for evaluating the thermal behavior of enclosures under realistic operating conditions. It applies to:

• Indoor equipment enclosures
• Fully equipped or partially loaded shelves
• Passive and active cooling configurations

This standard guarantees that the systems will provide the following:

• To prevent overheating.
• Maintaining performance consistency
• Extending component lifespan
• The standard “EN IEC 61587-5 Part 5: Seismic tests for chassis, sub-racks and mountable units” describes the seismic testing requirements for chassis, sub-racks and mountable units as defined in the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 standard series. It applies, wholly or partially, only to the mechanical structures of chassis, sub-racks and mountable units of electronic equipment according to the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 standard series, and not to electronic components, equipment or systems within mechanical structures.

The aim of this standard is to establish a level of physical integrity for chassis, sub-racks, and mountable units that can provide a level of survivability ensuring functionality during and after a seismic event, in accordance with the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 series. It aims to provide the user with a high degree of confidence in selecting an equipment application that will meet such requirements.

Since chassis, sub-racks, and mountable units in the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 standard series are manufactured in many different sizes, weights, and mechanical complexities, it is not possible to define a single minimum seismic testing requirement for all weight categories. Therefore, general mass categories are defined in this standard. However, the mass distribution within a chassis and sub-rack is considered application-specific and is defined here as the intended use.

This standard focuses on the safety aspects of cabinets, racks, and enclosures, addressing protection against:

• Unauthorized access
• Don't tamper
• Physical unauthorized entry

Data security and equipment protection are becoming increasingly important in modern systems where they are critical.

The purpose of this standard is to define the requirements and test methods for evaluating the physical safety performance of mechanical structures. It applies to:

• Housings for electrical and electronic equipment.
• IT and telecommunications cabinets
• Industrial control systems

This standard ensures that enclosures provide the following:

• To prevent unauthorized physical access.
• To protect sensitive equipment and data.
• Maintaining operational integrity.
• The standard “EN IEC 61587-6 Part 6: Safety considerations for indoor cabinets” describes the safety aspects and safety performance levels of the mechanical structure of indoor cabinets in accordance with the IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 standard series. This standard does not address vandalism. Protection against vandalism is generally controlled by user-specific requirements.

This standard addresses the performance of outdoor cabinets and enclosures, focusing on their ability to withstand challenging environmental conditions such as weather, temperature variations, and pollution. It is particularly important for equipment installed outside buildings where exposure to natural elements is unavoidable.

The purpose of this standard is to define the requirements and test methods for evaluating enclosures used in outdoor environments. It applies to:

• Outdoor cabinets and shelving
• Telecommunications enclosures
• Control and distribution boxes
• Infrastructure equipment enclosures

This standard ensures that enclosures provide the following:

• To protect internal equipment from environmental damage.
• Maintaining functionality under extreme conditions.
• To provide long-term durability.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services compliant with the EN IEC 61587 standard.