EN 61386-1:2008

Conduit systems for cable management - Part 1: General requirements

This part of IEC 61386 specifies requirements and tests for conduit systems, including conduits and conduit fittings, for the protection and management of insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and/or 1 500 V d.c. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1996, and its Amendment 1 (2000), and it constitutes a technical revision. The changes to the first edition are as follows: - change to the length of the test specimen between fittings for the tensile test, - editorial and normative reference updates.

Elektroinstallationsrohrsysteme für elektrische Energie und für Informationen - Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen

Systèmes de conduits pour la gestion du câblage - Partie 1: Exigences générales

La présente partie de la CEI 61386 spécifie les règles et les essais applicables aux systèmes de conduits, incluant conduits et accessoires de conduits, pour la protection et le rangement des conducteurs et/ou des câbles isolés dans les installations électriques ou les systèmes de télécommunication jusqu'à 1 000 V c.a. et/ou 1 500 V c.c. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition publiée en 1996 et son Amendement 1 (2000), et constitue une révision technique. Les modifications par rapport à la première édition sont les suivantes: - modification de la longueur de l'échantillon d'essai entre accessoires pour l'essai de traction, - mises à jour éditoriales et des références normatives.

Sistemi kanalov za električne inštalacije - 1. del: Splošne zahteve (IEC 61386-1:2008)

Ta del standarda IEC 61386 določa zahteve in preskuse za sisteme kanalov, vključno s kanali in nastavki za kanale, za zaščito in upravljanje izoliranih vodnikov in/ali kablov pri električnih inštalacijah ali komunikacijskih sistemih do 1000 V AC in/ali 1500 V DC. Ta standard se uporablja za kovinske, nekovinske in kompozitne sisteme kanalov, vključno z navojnimi in nenavojnimi vhodi, ki zaključujejo sistem. Ta standard se ne uporablja za ohišja in priključne doze v okviru standarda IEC 60670.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Aug-2008
• Withdrawal Date: 31-May-2011
• ICS: 29.120.10 - Conduits for electrical purposes
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 213 - Cable management systems
• Drafting Committee: IEC/SC 23A - IEC_SC_23A
• Parallel Committee: IEC/SC 23A - IEC_SC_23A
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 29-Aug-2008
• Completion Date: 29-Aug-2008
• Directive: 2006/95/EC - Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version)
• Directive: 2014/35/EU - Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Directive: 2014/53/EU - Directive 2014/53/EU of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC
• Directive: 73/23/EEC - Electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Ref Project: SIST EN 61386-1:2008 - Conduit systems for cable management -- Part 1: General requirements

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61386-1:2004 - Conduit systems for cable management - Part 1: General requirements
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023
• Amended By: EN 61386-1:2008/A1:2019 - Conduit systems for cable management - Part 1: General requirements
• Effective Date: 29-Mar-2016

Overview

EN 61386-1:2008 - adopted by CLC - defines the general requirements for conduit systems for cable management (conduits and conduit fittings) used to protect and route insulated conductors and cables in electrical installations and communication systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and/or 1 500 V d.c.. This Part 1 is a base document: it is intended to be used together with the appropriate Part 2 document that adds product‑type specific requirements. EN 61386-1:2008 supersedes the 2004 edition and includes technical revisions (notably a change to the tensile test specimen length and updated normative references).

Key topics and requirements

The standard sets out classifications, tests and mandatory documentation for conduit systems. Major technical topics include:

• Scope & definitions - terms, application limits (voltage) and use with Part 2 product standards.
• Classification - mechanical, temperature, electrical and environmental classes (see Annex A for coding).
• Mechanical properties & tests - requirements and test methods for compression, impact, bending, tensile strength, flexing, collapse and suspended load.
• Electrical properties - bonding/continuity, dielectric strength and insulation resistance tests.
• Thermal properties - tests for resistance to heating and temperature ranges (lower/upper).
• Fire hazard & reaction to fire - tests addressing initiation, contribution and spread of fire, and additional fire characteristics (including references to glow‑wire and flame test methods).
• Ingress protection - minimum protection levels in accordance with IEC 60529 (solid objects to a minimum of IP3X, water to IPX0).
• Corrosion resistance, EMC, dimensions, construction, marking and documentation - mandatory labelling, drawings and user information.
• Normative annexes - Annex A (classification coding) and Annex B (material thickness determination); CENELEC adds Annexes ZA/ZB for national conditions (e.g., low acid gas emission provisions for Austria).

Applications and users

EN 61386-1:2008 is practical for:

• Manufacturers of conduits, conduit fittings and cable management systems (design, testing and certification).
• Product designers and engineers specifying conduit systems for buildings, industrial and communication installations.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing mechanical, electrical, thermal and fire tests.
• Installers, safety engineers and procurement teams ensuring compliant selection and installation of conduit systems.
• Standards writers and regulators referencing harmonized requirements in specifications.

Related standards (selection)

• IEC/EN 60423 (outside diameters and threads for conduits)
• IEC/EN 60529 (IP Code - degrees of protection)
• Glow‑wire and flame test standards referenced in the bibliography (EN/IEC fire test series)

EN 61386-1:2008 provides the essential baseline requirements and test methods to ensure conduit systems are safe, durable and fit for their intended electrical and communication cable management purposes.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2008
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 61386-1:2004
6LVWHPLNDQDORY]DHOHNWULþQHLQãWDODFLMHGHO6SORãQH]DKWHYH,(&

Conduit systems for cable management - Part 1: General requirements (IEC 61386-
1:2008)
Elektroinstallationsrohrsysteme für elektrische Energie und für Informationen - Teil 1:
Allgemeine Anforderungen (IEC 61386-1:2008)
Systèmes de conduits pour la gestion du câblage - Partie 1: Exigences générales (CEI
61386-1:2008)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61386-1:2008
ICS:
29.120.10 ,QãWDODFLMVNHFHYL]D Conduits for electrical
HOHNWULþQHQDPHQH purposes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 61386-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2008
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.120.10 Supersedes EN 61386-1:2004

English version
Conduit systems for cable management -
Part 1: General requirements
(IEC 61386-1:2008)
Systèmes de conduits  Elektroinstallationsrohrsysteme
pour la gestion du câblage - für elektrische Energie
Partie 1: Exigences générales und für Informationen -
(CEI 61386-1:2008) Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen
(IEC 61386-1:2008)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2008-06-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2008 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 61386-1:2008 E
Foreword
The text of document 23A/553/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61386-1, prepared by SC 23A, Cable
management systems, of IEC TC 23, Electrical accessories, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel
vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 61386-1 on 2008-06-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 61386-1:2004 + corrigendum April 2004.
The changes to EN 61386-1:2004 are as follows:
– change to the length of the test specimen between fittings for the tensile test,
– editorial and normative reference updates.
The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2009-03-01
national standard or by endorsement

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2011-06-01
with the EN have to be withdrawn
This Part 1 is to be used in conjunction with the appropriate Part 2, which contains clauses to supplement
or modify the corresponding clauses in Part 1, to provide the relevant particular requirements for each
type of product. A conduit system which conforms to this standard is deemed safe for use.
In this publication, the following print types are used:
– Requirements proper: in roman type.
– Test specifications: in italic type.
– Explanatory matter: in smaller roman type.
For this European Standard the references to Austria and Australia in Subclauses 6.5.2 and 13.1.4 of
IEC 61386-1:2008 shall be disregarded and have been replaced by the normative Annex ZB, Special
national conditions.
Annexes ZA and ZB have been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61386-1:2008 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:
IEC 60670 NOTE  Harmonized in EN 60670 series (modified).
IEC 60754-1 & NOTE  See EN 50267 series, Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Tests on
IEC 60754-2 gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables .
__________
- 3 - EN 61386-1:2008
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60417 Data- Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
base
IEC 60423 2007 Conduit systems for cable management - EN 60423 2007
Outside diameters of conduits for electrical
installations and threads for conduits and
fittings
IEC 60529 1989 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures EN 60529 1991
(IP Code) + corr. May 1993
A1 1999 A1 2000
IEC 60695-2-11 2000 Fire hazard testing - EN 60695-2-11 2001
Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test
methods - Glow-wire flammability test method
for end-products
IEC 60695-11-2 2003 Fire hazard testing - EN 60695-11-2 2003
Part 11-2: Test flames - 1 kW nominal pre-
mixed flame - Apparatus, confirmatory test
arrangement and guidance
Annex ZB
(normative)
Special national conditions
Special national condition: National characteristic or practice that cannot be changed even over a long
period, e.g. climatic conditions, electrical earthing conditions.
NOTE  If it affects harmonization, it forms part of the European Standard / Harmonization Document.
For the countries in which the relevant special national conditions apply these provisions are normative,
for other countries they are informative.
Clause Special national condition
6.5.2 Austria
Conduits and conduit fittings may be classified with low acid gas emission.
13.1.4 Austria
Conduits and conduit fittings classified as low acid gas emission shall be tested in
accordance with EN 50267-1 and EN 50267-2-2.
__________
IEC 61386-1
Edition 2.0 2008-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Conduit systems for cable management –
Part 1: General requirements
Systèmes de conduits pour la gestion du câblage –
Partie 1: Exigences générales
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
W
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.120.10 ISBN 2-8318-9623-1

– 2 – 61386-1 © IEC:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4

1 Scope.6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 General requirements .8
5 General conditions for tests.8
6 Classification.9
6.1 According to mechanical properties .9
6.1.1 Resistance to compression.9
6.1.2 Resistance to impact .9
6.1.3 Resistance to bending .10
6.1.4 Tensile strength.10
6.1.5 Suspended load capacity.10
6.2 According to temperature .10
6.2.1 Lower temperature range.10
6.2.2 Upper temperature range.11
6.3 According to electrical characteristics.11
6.3.1 With electrical continuity characteristics .11
6.3.2 With electrical insulating characteristics .11
6.3.3 With electrical continuity and insulating characteristics.11
6.4 According to resistance to external influences .11
6.4.1 Protection against ingress of solid objects: protection in accordance
with IEC 60529 to a minimum of IP3X.11
6.4.2 Protection against ingress of water: protection in accordance with
IEC 60529 to a minimum of IPX0 .11
6.4.3 Resistance against corrosion.11
6.5 According to resistance to flame propagation .11
6.5.1 Non-flame propagating .11
6.5.2 Flame propagating.11
7 Marking and documentation.11
8 Dimensions .12
9 Construction .12
10 Mechanical properties .14
10.1 Mechanical strength .14
10.2 Compression test .15
10.3 Impact test .15
10.4 Bending test .16
10.5 Flexing test .16
10.6 Collapse test .16
10.7 Tensile test .16
10.8 Suspended load test.17
11 Electrical properties.18
11.1 Electrical requirements.18
11.2 Bonding test .18
11.3 Dielectric strength and insulation resistance.19

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 3 –
12 Thermal properties .20
13 Fire hazard.21
13.1 Reaction to fire.21
13.1.1 Initiation of fire .21
13.1.2 Contribution to fire.21
13.1.3 Spread of fire .21
13.1.4 Additional reaction to fire characteristics .23
13.2 Resistance to fire .23
14 External influences .23
14.1 Degree of protection provided by enclosure.23
14.1.1 General .23
14.1.2 Degree of protection – Ingress of foreign solid objects.23
14.1.3 Degree of protection – Ingress of water .23
14.2 Resistance against corrosion.24
15 Electromagnetic compatibility .25

Annex A (normative) Classification coding for conduit systems .33
Annex B (normative) Determination of material thickness.36

Bibliography.38

Figure 1 – Arrangement for compression test.26
Figure 2 – Impact test apparatus.26
Figure 3 – Assembly of conduit and conduit fitting for bonding test .27
Figure 4 – Arrangement for dielectric strength and insulation resistance tests – Rigid
conduit.28
Figure 5 – Arrangement for dielectric strength and insulation resistance tests – Pliable
and flexible conduit.29
Figure 6 – Steel enclosure for test for resistance to flame propagation .30
Figure 7 – Test arrangement for resistance to flame propagation .31
Figure 8 – Test apparatus for resistance to heat .32

Table 1 – Lower temperature range .10
Table 2 – Upper temperature range .11
Table 3 – Torque values for screw tests.14
Table 4 – Compression force .15
Table 5 – Impact test values .16
Table 6 – Tensile force .17
Table 7 – Suspended load .18
Table 8 – Load for heating test .20
Table 9 – Times of exposure of the sample to the flame .22
Table 10 – Resistance to corrosion classification .24

– 4 – 61386-1 © IEC:2008
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
CONDUIT SYSTEMS FOR CABLE MANAGEMENT –

Part 1: General requirements
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61386-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 23A: Cable
management systems, of IEC technical committee 23: Electrical accessories.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1996, and its
Amendment 1 (2000), and it constitutes a technical revision. The changes to the first edition
are as follows:
– change to the length of the test specimen between fittings for the tensile test,
– editorial and normative reference updates.

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 5 –
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
23A/553/FDIS 23A/558/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 61386 series, under the general title Conduit systems for cable
management, can be found on the IEC website.
This Part 1 is to be used in conjunction with the appropriate Part 2, which contains clauses to
supplement or modify the corresponding clauses in Part 1, to provide the relevant particular
requirements for each type of product. A conduit system which conforms to this standard is
deemed safe for use.
In this publication, the following print types are used:
– Requirements proper: in roman type.
– Test specifications: in italic type.
Explanatory matter: in smaller roman type.
–
The following differences exist in some countries:
6.5.2: In Australia and Austria, conduits and conduit fittings may be classified with low acid
gas emission.
13.1.4: In Australia conduits and conduit fittings classified as low acid gas emission shall be
tested in accordance with IEC 60754-1, evolve not more than the equivalent of 5 mg of
hydrochloride-acid per gram of sample.
In Austria conduits and conduit fittings classified as low acid gas emission shall be tested in
accordance with IEC 60754-2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – 61386-1 © IEC:2008
CONDUIT SYSTEMS FOR CABLE MANAGEMENT –

Part 1: General requirements
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61386 specifies requirements and tests for conduit systems, including
conduits and conduit fittings, for the protection and management of insulated conductors
and/or cables in electrical installations or in communication systems up to 1 000 V a.c. and/or
1 500 V d.c. This standard applies to metallic, non-metallic and composite conduit systems,
including threaded and non-threaded entries which terminate the system. This standard does
not apply to enclosures and connecting boxes which come within the scope of IEC 60670.
NOTE 1 Certain conduit systems may also be suitable for use in hazardous atmospheres. Regard should then be
taken of the extra requirements necessary for equipment to be installed in such conditions.
NOTE 2 Earthing conductors may or may not be insulated.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 60423:2007, Conduit systems for cable management – Outside diameters of conduits for
electrical installations and threads for conduits and fittings
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
Amendment 1 (1999)
IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods -
Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
IEC 60695-11-2:2003, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-2: Test flames - 1 kW nominal pre-mixed
flame - Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply:
3.1
conduit system
cable management system consisting of conduits and conduit fittings for the protection and
management of insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical or communication
installations, allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced, but not to be inserted laterally

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 7 –
3.2
conduit
part of conduit system of circular cross-section for insulated conductors and/or cables in
electrical or communication installations, allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced
3.3
conduit fitting
device designed to join components of a conduit system, or for them to change direction
3.4
terminating conduit fitting
conduit fitting that terminates a conduit system
3.5
metallic conduit and/or conduit fitting
conduit or conduit fitting which consists of metal only
3.6
non-metallic conduit and/or conduit fitting
conduit or conduit fitting which consists uniquely of non-metallic material and which has no
metallic components whatsoever
3.7
composite conduit and/or conduit fitting
conduit or conduit fitting comprising both metallic and non-metallic materials
3.8
non-flame propagating conduit and/or conduit fitting
conduit or conduit fitting which is liable to catch fire as a result of an applied flame, but in
which the flame does not propagate, and which extinguishes itself within a limited time after
the flame is removed
3.9
plain conduit
conduit in which the profile is even in the longitudinal section (see note to 3.10)
3.10
corrugated conduit
conduit in which the profile is corrugated in the longitudinal section
NOTE Both annular and helical corrugated conduits are permissible, and a combination of both corrugated and
plain conduit is possible.
3.11
rigid conduit
conduit which cannot be bent, or which can only be bent with the help of a mechanical aid,
with or without special treatment
3.12
pliable conduit
conduit which can be bent by hand with reasonable force, and which is not intended for
frequent flexing
3.13
flexible conduit
conduit which can be bent by hand with reasonable small force, and which is intended to flex
frequently throughout its life

– 8 – 61386-1 © IEC:2008
3.14
self-recovering conduit
pliable conduit which deforms when a transverse force is applied for a short time and which,
after removal of this force, returns close to its original shape within a further short time
3.15
threadable conduit and conduit fitting
conduit and conduit fittings which carry a thread for connection, or in or on which a thread can
be formed
3.16
non-threadable conduit and conduit fitting
conduit and conduit fittings which are suitable for connection only by means other than
threads
3.17
external influence
factors which may affect the conduit system
NOTE Examples of such factors are a presence of water, oil or building materials, low and high temperatures, and
corrosive or polluting substances.
4 General requirements
4.1 Conduit and conduit fittings shall be so designed and constructed that in normal use
their performance is reliable and they provide protection to the user or surroundings.
When assembled in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as part of a conduit system,
conduits and conduit fittings shall provide mechanical and, where required, electrical
protection of the insulated conductors and cables contained therein.
4.2 The protective properties of the joint between the conduit and conduit fitting shall not be
less than that declared for the conduit system.
4.3 Conduit and conduit fittings shall withstand the stresses likely to occur during transport,
storage, recommended installation practice and application.
4.4 Compliance is checked by carrying out all specified tests.
5 General conditions for tests
5.1 Tests in accordance with this standard are type tests. Conduit systems, having the same
classification, which can vary in colour only, shall be the same product type.
5.2 Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be carried out at an ambient temperature of
°
(20 ± 5) C.
5.3 Unless otherwise specified, each test shall be made on three new samples, which may
be taken from one length.
NOTE Certain tests, for instance the checking of dimensions, do not affect a change in the property of the
samples; therefore these samples are considered as new samples and can be used for further tests.

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 9 –
5.4 Samples of non-metallic and composite conduits and conduit fittings shall be conditioned
for at least 240 h, at a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and a relative humidity between 40 % and
60 %. All tests shall be carried out immediately after general conditioning.
5.5 Unless otherwise specified, the samples for each test shall be in a clean and new
condition, with all parts in place and mounted as in normal use. After checking dimensions in
accordance with Clause 8, and unless otherwise specified in the relevant test, the conduit
fittings shall be assembled with adequate lengths of conduit of the type for which they are
intended. Due regard shall be taken of the manufacturer's instructions, especially where force
is required in the assembly of the joint.
NOTE Where similarities are claimed, the selection of representative fittings for test purposes can be agreed
between the manufacturer, or responsible vendor, and the testing station.
5.6 Where the conduit entries are part of the detachable or loose type conduit fitting, the
detachable conduit fitting shall be capable of being assembled again, after the test, according
to the manufacturer's instructions without loss of the declared properties according to
Clause 6.
5.7 Unless otherwise specified, three samples are subjected to the tests, and the
requirements are satisfied if the tests are met.
If only one of the samples does not satisfy a test, due to an assembly or a manufacturing
defect, that test and any preceding one which may have influenced the result of the test shall
be repeated, and also the tests which follow shall be carried out in the required sequence on
another full set of samples, all of which shall comply with the requirements.
NOTE If the additional set of samples is not submitted at the same time, a failure of one sample will entail a
rejection. The applicant, when submitting the first set of samples, may also submit an additional set of samples
which may be used, should one sample fail. The testing station will then, without further request, test the additional
set of samples and will reject them only if a further failure occurs.
5.8 When toxic or hazardous processes are used, due regard shall be taken of the safety of
the persons within the test area.
5.9 Conduit systems which are used as an integral part of other equipment shall also be
tested in accordance with the relevant standard for that equipment.
6 Classification
NOTE Annex A shows the classification coding format for declared properties of the conduit system, which may
be incorporated in the manufacturer's literature.
6.1 According to mechanical properties
6.1.1 Resistance to compression
1 Very light
2 Light
3 Medium
4 Heavy
5 Very heavy
6.1.2 Resistance to impact
1 Very light
2 Light
3 Medium
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4 Heavy
5 Very heavy
6.1.3 Resistance to bending
1 Rigid
2 Pliable
3 Pliable/Self-recovering
4 Flexible
6.1.4 Tensile strength
1 Very light
2 Light
3 Medium
4 Heavy
5 Very heavy
6.1.5 Suspended load capacity
1 Very light
2 Light
3 Medium
4 Heavy
5 Very heavy
6.2 According to temperature
6.2.1 Lower temperature range
Table 1 – Lower temperature range
Transport, installation and
application – Temperature not less than:
Classification
°C
1 + 5
2 – 5
3 – 15
4 – 25
5 – 45
61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 11 –
6.2.2 Upper temperature range
Table 2 – Upper temperature range
Application and
installation – Temperature not more than:
Classification
°C
1 60
2 90
3 105
4 120
5 150
6 250
7 400
6.3 According to electrical characteristics
6.3.1 With electrical continuity characteristics
6.3.2 With electrical insulating characteristics
6.3.3 With electrical continuity and insulating characteristics
6.4 According to resistance to external influences
6.4.1 Protection against ingress of solid objects: protection in accordance with
IEC 60529 to a minimum of IP3X
6.4.2 Protection against ingress of water: protection in accordance with IEC 60529 to
a minimum of IPX0
6.4.3 Resistance against corrosion
6.4.3.1 Without protection
6.4.3.2 With protection as detailed in Table 10
6.5 According to resistance to flame propagation
6.5.1 Non-flame propagating
6.5.2 Flame propagating
In Australia and Austria, conduits and conduit fittings may be classified with low acid gas
emission.
7 Marking and documentation
7.1 Each conduit shall be marked with
– the manufacturer's or responsible vendor's name or trade mark or identification mark,
– a product identification mark, which may be, for example, a catalogue number, a symbol or
the like, in such a way that it can be identified in the manufacturer’s or responsible
vendor’s literature.
7.1.1 The conduit may also be marked with the classification code, which shall be in
accordance with Annex A, and which shall include at least the first four digits.

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7.1.2 The manufacturer shall be responsible for indicating the compatibility of parts within a
conduit system.
7.1.3 The manufacturer shall provide in his literature its classification in accordance with
Clause 6 and all information necessary for the proper and safe transport, storage, installation
and use.
7.2 The conduit fitting shall be marked in accordance with 7.1, on the product wherever
possible, but, where this is impractical, then the mark may be on a label attached to the
product, or on the smallest supplied package.
7.3 Flame propagating material shall be orange in colour. It shall not be coloured orange by
painting or other superficial means.
Non-flame propagating material may be of any colour except yellow, orange or red, unless
clearly marked on the product to be of non-flame propagating material.
7.4 Earthing facilities shall be indicated by the symbol for protective earth in accordance
with IEC 60417, symbol IEC 60417-5019 (2006-08). This marking shall not be placed on
easily removable parts, for example screws.
7.5 Compliance with 7.1 to 7.4 is checked by inspection.
7.6 The marking shall be durable and clearly legible.
Compliance is checked by inspection and by rubbing the marking by hand for 15 s with a
piece of cloth soaked with water, and again for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with
petroleum spirit.
NOTE 1 Petroleum spirit is defined as the aliphatic solvent hexane with a content of aromatics of maximum 0,1%
volume, a kauri-butanol value of 29, initial boiling point 65 °C, a dry point 69 °C, and density of approximately
0,68 g/cm .
NOTE 2 Marking may be applied, for example, by moulding, pressing, engraving, printing, adhesive labels, or
water slide transfers.
NOTE 3 Marking made by moulding, pressing or engraving is not subjected to this test.
After the test, the marking shall be legible.
8 Dimensions
8.1 Threads and outside diameters, where appropriate, shall comply with IEC 60423.
Compliance is checked by means of the gauges specified in IEC 60423.
8.2 Other dimensions shall comply with the requirements of the relevant Part 2 of IEC
61386.
9 Construction
9.1 Within the conduit system, there shall be no sharp edges, burrs or surface projections
which are likely to damage insulated conductors or cables, or inflict injury on the installer or
user.
Compliance is checked by inspection, if necessary after cutting the samples apart.

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 13 –
9.2 Screws, if any, used for attaching components or covers to conduit fittings, or in joints to
conduits, shall not cause damage to cable insulation when correctly inserted. They shall have
ISO metric threads. Thread-cutting screws shall not be used.
Fixing screws and small clips for use with non-metallic or composite conduit fittings need not
be of non-metallic material if they are isolated from insulated conductors or cables.
Screw fixing means shall be so designed to withstand the mechanical stresses occurring
during installation and normal use.
Compliance for screw fixing using preformed threads is checked by the test in 9.3, followed by
inspection.
Compliance for screw fixing using thread-forming screws is checked by the test in 9.4,
followed by inspection.
9.3 Screws used with preformed threads shall be tightened and loosened 10 times for
screws in engagement with a thread of non-metallic material and for screws of non-metallic
material, and five times in all other cases.
The test is carried out using a suitable screwdriver or spanner to apply a torque, as specified
by the manufacturer. In case the manufacturer does not specify the torque, the values of
Table 3 apply. The screws shall be tightened in one smooth and continuous motion.
After the test, there shall be no damage sustained by the screw or nut, such as breakage of
the screw or damage to the head or thread, that will impair the further use of the screw or nut.
9.4 Thread-forming screws are tightened and loosened 10 times for screws in engagement
with a thread of insulating material, and five times in all other cases. Screws in engagement
with a thread of insulating material shall be completely removed each time.
The test is made by using a suitable screwdriver or spanner applying with the relevant torque
given in Table 3. The screw shall not be tightened by sudden or jerky motions.
After the test, there shall be no damage such as breakage of the screw or damage to the
head or thread, that will impair the further use of the screw.

– 14 – 61386-1 © IEC:2008
Table 3 – Torque values for screw tests
Nominal diameter of thread Torque
mm Nm
a b
Over Up to and including I II
– 2,8 0,4 0,4
2,8 3,0 0,5 0,5
3,0 3,2 0,6 0,6
3,2 3,6 0,8 0,8
3,6 4,1 1,2 1,2
4,1 4,7 1,8 1,8
4,7 5,3 2,0 2,0
5,3 6,0 2,5 3,0
6,0 8,0 3,5 6,0
8,0 10,0 4,0 10,0
a
Column I applies to screws which are tightened by means of a screwdriver.
b
Column II applies to screws and nuts which are tightened by means other than a
screwdriver.
9.5 Any material, for example rubber, fibre etc., within the joint, which may be exposed to
external influences when assembled according to the manufacturer's instructions, shall have
at least the same level of resistance to the external influence as either the conduit or the
conduit fitting.
Compliance is checked by means of tests specified in Clause 14.
9.6 For conduit systems that are assembled by means other than threads, the manufacturer
shall indicate whether the system can be disassembled and if so, how this can be achieved.
Compliance is checked by inspection and by manual test.
10 Mechanical properties
10.1 Mechanical strength
10.1.1 Conduit systems shall have adequate mechanical strength.
10.1.2 Conduits, according to their classification, when bent or compressed, or exposed to
impact or extreme temperature of a specified value in accordance with impact and
temperature classification declared for the product, either during, or after installation
according to the manufacturer's instructions, shall not crack and shall not be deformed to
such an extent that introduction of the insulated conductors or cables becomes difficult, or
that the installed insulated conductors or cables are likely to be damaged while being drawn
in.
10.1.3 Conduit systems intended as a mounting for other equipment shall have adequate
mechanical strength to support such equipment and to withstand the force required to operate
the equipment, both during and after installation.
10.1.4 Compliance of 10.1.1 to 10.1.3 is checked by the tests specified in 10.2 to 10.8.

61386-1 © IEC:2008 – 15 –
10.2 Compression test
10.2.1 Samples of conduit, each (200 ± 5) mm long, shall be subjected to a compression test
at (23 ± 2) ºC, using the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
10.2.2 Before the test, the outside diameters of the samples shall be measured.
10.2.3 The samples shall be positioned on a flat steel support, and a steel intermediate
piece, as shown in Figure 1, shall be placed in the middle of the sample.
10.2.4 A uniformly increasing compression force, reaching the values shown in Table 4
within (30 ± 3) s, shall be applied to the intermediate piece.
10.2.5 After the force given in Table 4 has been applied for (60 ± 2) s, the outside diameter
of the sample shall be measured where flattening has taken place, without removing the force.
Table 4 – Compression force
Compression force
+4
Tolerance %
Classification Conduits
N
1 Very light 125
2 Light 320
3 Medium 750
4 Heavy 1250
5 Very heavy 4000
10.2.6 The difference between the initial outside diameter and the diameter of the flattened
sample shall not exceed 25 % of the initial outside diameter measured before the test.
10.2.7 The force and the intermediate piece are then removed and, (60 ± 2) s after removal,
the outside diameter of the samples, where they have flattened, shall be measured again.
The difference between the initial diameter and the diameter of the flattened samples shall not
exceed 10 % of the outside diameter, measured before the test.
10.2.8 After the test, the samples shall show no cracks visible to normal or corrected vision
without additional magnification.
10.3 Impact test
10.3.1 Twelve samples of conduit each (200 ± 5) mm in length, or twelve conduit fittings are
subjected to an impact test by means of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
Before the test, the samples are assembled with all the components as for normal use,
including conduits required for conducting of the test.
NOTE Conduit fittings are not required when testing conduits.

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Parts, which are not accessible when mounted in normal use, and small conduit fittings whose
maximum dimension is less than 20 mm, are not subjected to this test.
10.3.2 The test apparatus, together with the samples, shall be placed in a refrigerator, the
temperature within which shall be maintained at the declared temperature as given in Table 1

with a tolerance of ± 2 °C.
When the samples have attained the temperature specified, or after 2 h, whichever is the
longer period, each sample shall be placed in p
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