EN 12263:1998
(Main)Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - Requirements and tests
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - Requirements and tests
1.1 This European Standard establishes the requirements and tests applied to safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - here after called devices - to ensure that the maximum or minimum pressure, which is caused by a pressure generator in refrigerating systems and/or heat pumps, is maintained within the limits of the refrigerating system and/or heat pump. These devices are of special construction equipped with mechanically operated output contacts. NOTE: Devices may be wired directly into the control circuit of the compressor or may be connected through a relay or microprocessor/computer. Transducers/analogue devices are not covered by this standard. If more stringent specifications for special applications are necessary, these should be agreed between the customer and the manufacturer of the devices. 1.2 Different safety and control functions can be combined in one device. 1.3 This standard does not apply to devices used for control purposes.
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitsschalteinrichtungen zur Druckbegrenzung - Anforderungen und Prüfungen
Diese Europäische Norm stellt die Anforderungen und Baumusterprüfungen für Sicherheitsschalteinrichtungen zur Druckbegrenzung auf - im nachfolgenden "Schalteinrichtungen" genannt -, mit denen sichergestellt wird, daß die Höchst- und Mindestdrücke, die in Kälteanlagen und/oder Wärmepumpen durch einen Druckerzeuger verursacht werden, innerhalb der Grenzen der Kälteanlage und/oder Wärmepumpe gehalten werden. Diese Schalteinrichtungen sind von besonderer Bauart mit mechanisch betätigten Ausgabekontakten.
Systèmes de réfrigération et pompes à chaleur - Dispositifs-interrupteurs de sécurité limitant la pression - Exigences et essais
La présente norme européenne établit les exigences et les essais pour l'essai-type appliqués aux dispositifs - interrupteurs de sécurité limitant la pression, dénommés ci-après dispositifs, pour s'assurer que la pression maximale ou minimale, provenant d'un élément générateur de pression, dans des systèmes de réfrigération ou de pompes à chaleur est maintenu dans les limites du système de réfrigération ou de la pompe à chaleur. Ces dispositifs sont de construction particulière et sont équipés de contacts fonctionnant mécaniquement.
Hladilni sistemi in toplotne črpalke - Varnostne stikalne naprave za omejevanja tlaka - Zahteve in preskusi
General Information
Overview
EN 12263:1998 is a CEN European Standard that specifies the requirements and tests for safety switching devices for limiting pressure in refrigerating systems and heat pumps. The standard ensures that devices with mechanically operated output contacts reliably prevent system pressures from exceeding the designed maximum or falling below the minimum limits caused by the pressure generator. Transducers and analogue pressure sensors are explicitly excluded; the standard applies to mechanically actuated switching devices only.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Defines safety switching devices used exclusively to limit pressure in refrigerating systems and heat pumps so system pressure remains within safe limits.
- Device type: Targets devices of special construction equipped with mechanically operated output contacts; excludes transducers/analogue devices.
- Wiring and integration: Allows devices to be wired directly into compressor control circuits or connected via a relay, microprocessor, or computer, while retaining the mechanical switching function.
- Combined functions: Permits combination of different safety and control functions within a single device, provided safety switching requirements are met.
- Exclusions: Does not apply to devices intended solely for control purposes (i.e., standard is for safety limiting devices, not general control switches).
- Custom specifications: Encourages customer-manufacturer agreements for more stringent specifications required by special applications.
- Testing and verification: Establishes that devices must undergo defined tests and verification to demonstrate compliance with the standard’s safety and performance requirements (see full standard for test procedures).
Practical applications
EN 12263 is used to guide the selection, manufacture, testing, and installation of safety pressure switches that protect:
- Industrial and commercial refrigeration systems
- Heat pumps and HVAC/R equipment
- Cold storage, refrigerated transport, and process cooling plants
- Compressor protection circuits where overpressure or underpressure can cause damage or unsafe conditions
Using compliant safety switching devices helps prevent equipment failure, reduces downtime, and supports regulatory and safety compliance for refrigeration and heat pump installations.
Who should use this standard
- Manufacturers of pressure-limiting safety switches
- Design engineers and system integrators for refrigeration and heat pump installations
- Installation and maintenance technicians in HVAC/R
- Testing and certification laboratories
- Safety and compliance officers ensuring conformity with European standards
Related standards
EN 12263 is a CEN standard; users should also consult applicable EN national adoptions (for example, SIST EN 12263:2000 in Slovenia) and other EN standards covering refrigerating system design, electrical safety, and pressure equipment to ensure full compliance and system safety.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitsschalteinrichtungen zur Druckbegrenzung - Anforderungen und PrüfungenSystemes de réfrigération et pompes a chaleur - Dispositifs-interrupteurs de sécurité limitant la pression - Exigences et essaisRefrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - Requirements and tests27.200Hladilna teh
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12263:1998 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - Requirements and tests". This standard covers: 1.1 This European Standard establishes the requirements and tests applied to safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - here after called devices - to ensure that the maximum or minimum pressure, which is caused by a pressure generator in refrigerating systems and/or heat pumps, is maintained within the limits of the refrigerating system and/or heat pump. These devices are of special construction equipped with mechanically operated output contacts. NOTE: Devices may be wired directly into the control circuit of the compressor or may be connected through a relay or microprocessor/computer. Transducers/analogue devices are not covered by this standard. If more stringent specifications for special applications are necessary, these should be agreed between the customer and the manufacturer of the devices. 1.2 Different safety and control functions can be combined in one device. 1.3 This standard does not apply to devices used for control purposes.
1.1 This European Standard establishes the requirements and tests applied to safety switching devices for limiting the pressure - here after called devices - to ensure that the maximum or minimum pressure, which is caused by a pressure generator in refrigerating systems and/or heat pumps, is maintained within the limits of the refrigerating system and/or heat pump. These devices are of special construction equipped with mechanically operated output contacts. NOTE: Devices may be wired directly into the control circuit of the compressor or may be connected through a relay or microprocessor/computer. Transducers/analogue devices are not covered by this standard. If more stringent specifications for special applications are necessary, these should be agreed between the customer and the manufacturer of the devices. 1.2 Different safety and control functions can be combined in one device. 1.3 This standard does not apply to devices used for control purposes.
EN 12263:1998 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 27.080 - Heat pumps; 27.200 - Refrigerating technology. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12263:1998 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/68/EU, 97/23/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/071. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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