EN IEC 60664-1:2020

Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

IEC 60664-1:2020 deals with insulation coordination for equipment having a rated voltage up to AC 1 000 V or DC 1 500 V connected to low-voltage supply systems. This document applies to frequencies up to 30 kHz. It applies to equipment for use up to 2 000 m above sea level and provides guidance for use at higher altitudes. It provides requirements for technical committees to determine clearances, creepage distances and criteria for solid insulation. It includes methods of electrical testing with respect to insulation coordination. The minimum clearances specified in this document do not apply where ionized gases are present. Special requirements for such situations can be specified at the discretion of the relevant technical committee. This document does not deal with distances: – through liquid insulation; – through gases other than air; – through compressed air. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
update of the Scope, Clauses 2 and 3,
addition of 1 500 V DC into tables,
new structure for Clauses 4 and 5,
addition of Annex G with a flowchart for clearances,
addition of Annex H with a flowchart for creepage distances,
update of distances altitude correction in a new Table F.10.  It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.

Isolationskoordination für Betriebsmittel in Niederspannungs-Stromversorgungssystemen - Teil 1: Grundsätze, Anforderungen und Prüfungen

Coordination de l'isolement des matériels dans les réseaux d'énergie électrique à basse tension - Partie 1: Principes, exigences et essais

L’IEC 60664-1:2020 traite de la coordination de l'isolement des matériels ayant une tension assignée allant jusqu’à 1 000 V en courant alternatif ou jusqu’à 1 500 V en courant continu connectés aux réseaux d’énergie électrique à basse tension. Le présent document s’applique aux fréquences jusqu’à 30 kHz inclus. NOTE 1 Les exigences de coordination de l’isolement des matériels dans les réseaux d’énergie électrique à basse tension dont les fréquences assignées sont supérieures à 30 kHz sont données dans l’IEC 60664-4. NOTE 2 Des tensions plus élevées peuvent exister dans les circuits internes des matériels. Il s'applique au matériel utilisé jusqu'à 2 000 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer, et fournit des recommandations pour l’utilisation à des altitudes plus élevées (Voir  REF _Ref452123764 \r \h \* MERGEFORMAT 5.2.3.4 08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F005200650066003400350032003100320033003700360034000000 ). Il définit les exigences permettant aux comités d’études de déterminer les distances d'isolement, les lignes de fuite et les critères pour l’isolation solide. Il comprend les méthodes d'essais diélectriques concernant la coordination de l'isolement. Les distances d'isolement minimales spécifiées dans le présent document ne s'appliquent pas en présence de gaz ionisés. Les exigences particulières dans de telles conditions peuvent être spécifiées, comme ils l'entendent, par les comités d'études compétents. Le présent document ne traite pas des distances: – à travers l'isolation liquide; – à travers les gaz autres que l'air; – à travers l'air comprimé. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
mise à jour du Domaine d’application et des Articles 2 et 3,
nouvelle structure pour les Articles 4 et 5,
ajout de 1 500 V en courant continu dans les tableaux dans Annexe B et F,
mise à jour de la correction de l’altitude des distances dans un nouveau Tableau F.10,
ajout d’une Annexe G avec un organigramme relatif aux distances d’isolement,
ajout d’une Annexe H avec un organigramme relatif aux lignes de fuite.  Elle a le statut d’une publication fondamentale de sécurité conformément au Guide 104 de l’IEC.

Koordinacija izolacije za opremo v okviru nizkonapetostnih sistemov - 1. del: Načela, zahteve in preskusi (IEC 60664-1:2020)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jul-2020
• ICS: 29.080 - Insulation
• ICS: 29.080.30 - Insulation systems
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 109 - Insulation co-ordination for low-voltage equipment
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 109 - IEC_TC_109
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 24-Jul-2020
• Completion Date: 24-Jul-2020
• 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
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 60664-1:2020 - Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests (IEC 60664-1:2020)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60664-1:2007 - Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Amended By: EN IEC 60664-1:2020/A1:2025 - Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests
• Effective Date: 13-Dec-2022
• Corrected By: EN IEC 60664-1:2020/AC:2020-12 - Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2020

Overview

EN IEC 60664-1:2020 (IEC 60664-1:2020) defines insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems. It applies to equipment with rated voltages up to AC 1 000 V or DC 1 500 V, for frequencies up to 30 kHz, and for use up to 2 000 m above sea level (with guidance for higher altitudes). The standard provides principles, requirements and test methods to determine clearances, creepage distances and criteria for solid insulation, and specifies electrical test methods relevant to insulation coordination. It is published as a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: equipment connected to low-voltage supply systems; excludes distances through liquids, gases other than air, and compressed air; minimum clearances not applicable where ionized gases are present.
• Voltage definitions: steady-state, peak, transient and temporary overvoltages and overvoltage categories used for dimensioning insulation.
• Clearances and creepage: methods and dimensioning criteria for functional, basic, supplementary and reinforced insulation; factors such as pollution degree, material CTI (Comparative Tracking Index), and environmental stresses.
• Solid insulation: voltage stress, withstand criteria, environmental conditioning and selection of tests for verification.
• Testing methods: partial discharge, impulse, AC power-frequency, DC and high-frequency tests; procedures for testing complete equipment and measurement of transient overvoltage attenuation.
• Environmental corrections: altitude correction (updated Table F.10), temperature, humidity and vibration considerations.
• New in 2020 edition: inclusion of 1 500 V DC in tables, restructured Clauses 4–5, added Annex G (clearance flowchart) and Annex H (creepage flowchart), and updated altitude distance corrections.

Practical applications

• Design and verification of low-voltage electrical equipment including switchgear, power supplies, controlgear and consumer appliances that must meet safety and insulation coordination requirements.
• PCB and component layout decisions where clearance and creepage distances influence reliability and compliance.
• Test laboratories and manufacturers performing partial discharge and dielectric testing to verify insulation performance.
• Risk assessments for products intended for higher altitudes or polluted environments where insulation requirements change.

Who should use this standard

• Electrical designers and product engineers
• Safety and compliance officers
• Test and certification laboratories
• Standards and technical committees defining product-specific requirements
• Manufacturers of low-voltage equipment

Related standards

Relevant cross-references include IEC 60664-3, IEC 60664-4, IEC 61000-4-5, IEC 60112, IEC 60085 and partial discharge / high-voltage test standards (e.g., IEC 60270, IEC 61180), which are cited for test methods and harmonized practices.

Keywords: insulation coordination, low-voltage, EN IEC 60664-1:2020, clearance, creepage distance, solid insulation, partial discharge testing, altitude correction.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60664-1:2007
Koordinacija izolacije za opremo v okviru nizkonapetostnih sistemov - 1. del:
Načela, zahteve in preskusi (IEC 60664-1:2020)
Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests (IEC 60664-1:2020)
Isolationskoordination für elektrische Betriebsmittel in Niederspannungsanlagen - Teil 1:
Grundsätze, Anforderungen und Prüfungen (IEC 60664-1:2020)
Coordination de l'isolement des matériels dans les réseaux d'énergie électrique à basse
tension - Partie 1: Principes, exigences et essais (IEC 60664-1:2020)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60664-1:2020
ICS:
29.080.30 Izolacijski sistemi Insulation systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60664-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2020
ICS 29.080.30 Supersedes EN 60664-1:2007 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply
systems - Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests
(IEC 60664-1:2020)
Coordination de l'isolement des matériels dans les réseaux Isolationskoordination für elektrische Betriebsmittel in
d'énergie électrique à basse tension - Partie 1: Principes, Niederspannungsanlagen - Teil 1: Grundsätze,
exigences et essais Anforderungen und Prüfungen
(IEC 60664-1:2020) (IEC 60664-1:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-06-30. 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 CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre 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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60664-1:2020 E

European foreword
The text of document 109/183/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 60664-1, prepared by IEC/TC 109
"Insulation co-ordination for low-voltage equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote
and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 60664-1:2020.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-03-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-06-30
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60664-1:2007 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60664-1:2020 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 60038:2009 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60038:2011 (modified)
IEC 60216 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 60216 (series)
IEC 60068 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 60068 (series)
IEC 60068-1:2013 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60068-1:2014 (not modified)
IEC 60085:2007 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60085:2008 (not modified)
IEC 60112:2003 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60112:2003 (not modified)
IEC 60364-4-44:2007 NOTE Harmonized as HD 60364-4-442:2012 (modified)
IEC 60529 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60529
IEC 60664-3:2016 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60664-3:2017 (not modified)
IEC 60664-4:2005 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60664-4:2006 (not modified)
IEC 61000-4-5:2014 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61000-4-5:2014 (not modified)

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60068-2-2 - Environmental testing - Part 2-2: Tests - EN 60068-2-2 -
Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-14 2009 Environmental testing - Part 2-14: Tests - EN 60068-2-14 2009
Test N: Change of temperature
IEC 60068-2-78 - Environmental testing - Part 2-78: Tests - EN 60068-2-78 -
Test Cab: Damp heat, steady state
IEC 60270 - High-voltage test techniques - Partial EN 60270 -
discharge measurements
IEC 61140 2016 Protection against electric shock - EN 61140 2016
Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61180 2016 High-voltage test techniques for low- EN 61180 2016
voltage equipment - Definitions, test and
procedure requirements, test equipment

IEC 60664-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION FONDAMENTALE DE SÉCURITÉ

Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems –

Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

Coordination de l’isolement des matériels dans les réseaux d’énergie électrique

à basse tension –
Partie 1: Principes, exigences et essais

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.080.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-8287-8

– 2 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 15
4 Basic technical characteristics for insulation coordination . 15
4.1 General . 15
4.2 Voltages . 16
4.2.1 General aspects . 16
4.2.2 Transient overvoltages . 17
4.2.3 Temporary overvoltages . 18
4.2.4 Recurring peak voltage . 18
4.2.5 Steady-state working voltage . 19
4.2.6 Steady-state peak voltage . 19
4.3 Overvoltage categories . 19
4.3.1 General . 19
4.3.2 Equipment energized directly from the mains supply . 19
4.3.3 Systems and equipment not energized directly from the mains supply . 20
4.4 Frequency . 20
4.4.1 General . 20
4.4.2 Solid insulation . 20
4.5 Pollution . 20
4.5.1 General . 20
4.5.2 Degrees of pollution in the micro-environment . 21
4.5.3 Conditions of conductive pollution. 21
4.6 Insulating material . 21
4.6.1 Solid insulation . 21
4.6.2 Stresses . 22
4.6.3 Comparative tracking index (CTI) . 23
4.7 Environmental aspects . 24
4.7.1 General . 24
4.7.2 Altitude . 24
4.7.3 Temperature . 24
4.7.4 Vibrations . 24
4.7.5 Humidity . 24
4.8 Duration of voltage stress . 24
4.9 Electrical field distribution . 25
5 Design for insulation coordination . 25
5.1 General . 25
5.1.1 Means of insulation coordination . 25
5.1.2 Frequency above 30 kHz . 25
5.1.3 Reduced distances due to coating or potting . 25
5.1.4 Equipment which are not connected to public low-voltage systems. . 25
5.2 Dimensioning of clearances . 25
5.2.1 General . 25

IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
5.2.2 Dimensioning criteria for clearances . 26
5.2.3 Other factors involving clearances . 26
5.2.4 Dimensioning of clearances of functional insulation . 27
5.2.5 Dimensioning of clearances of basic insulation, supplementary
insulation and reinforced insulation . 27
5.3 Dimensioning of creepage distances . 28
5.3.1 General . 28
5.3.2 Dimensioning criteria of creepage distances . 29
5.3.3 Other factors involving creepage distances . 30
5.3.4 Dimensioning of creepage distances of functional insulation . 31
5.3.5 Dimensioning of creepage distances of basic insulation, supplementary
insulation and reinforced insulation . 31
5.4 Requirements for design of solid insulation . 32
5.4.1 General . 32
5.4.2 Voltage stress. 32
5.4.3 Withstand of voltage stresses . 32
5.4.4 Withstand on environmental stresses . 34
6 Tests and measurements . 34
6.1 General . 34
6.2 Verification of clearances . 35
6.2.1 General . 35
6.2.2 Test voltages . 35
6.3 Verification of creepage distances . 37
6.4 Verification of solid insulation . 37
6.4.1 General . 37
6.4.2 Selection of tests . 38
6.4.3 Conditioning . 39
6.4.4 Impulse voltage test . 39
6.4.5 AC power frequency voltage test . 40
6.4.6 Partial discharge test . 40
6.4.7 DC voltage test . 42
6.4.8 High-frequency voltage test . 43
6.5 Performing dielectric tests on complete equipment. 43
6.5.1 General . 43
6.5.2 Parts to be tested . 43
6.5.3 Preparation of equipment circuits . 44
6.5.4 Test voltage values . 44
6.5.5 Test criteria . 44
6.6 Other tests . 44
6.6.1 Test for purposes other than insulation coordination . 44
6.6.2 Sampling and routine tests . 44
6.6.3 Measurement accuracy of test parameters . 44
6.7 Measurement of the attenuation of the transient overvoltages . 45
6.8 Measurement of clearances and creepage distances . 45
Annex A (informative) Basic data on withstand characteristics of clearances . 51
Annex B (informative) Nominal voltages of mains supply for different modes of
overvoltage control . 56
Annex C (normative) Partial discharge test methods . 58
C.1 Test circuits . 58

– 4 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
C.1.1 General . 58
C.1.2 Test circuit for earthed test specimen (Figure C.1) . 58
C.1.3 Test circuit for unearthed test specimen (Figure C.2) . 59
C.1.4 Selection criteria . 59
C.1.5 Measuring impedance . 59
C.1.6 Coupling capacitor C . 59
k
C.1.7 Filter . 59
C.2 Test parameters . 59
C.2.1 General . 59
C.2.2 Requirements for the test voltage . 60
C.2.3 Climatic conditions . 60
C.3 Requirements for measuring instruments . 60
C.3.1 General . 60
C.3.2 Classification of PD meters . 60
C.3.3 Bandwidth of the test circuit . 61
C.4 Calibration . 61
C.4.1 Calibration of discharge magnitude before the noise level measurement . 61
C.4.2 Verification of the noise level . 62
C.4.3 Calibration for the PD test . 63
C.4.4 Calibration pulse generator . 63
Annex D (informative) Additional information on partial discharge test methods . 64
D.1 Measurement of partial discharge (PD), PD inception and extinction voltage. 64
D.2 Description of PD test circuits (Figure D.1) . 64
D.3 Precautions for reduction of noise . 65
D.3.1 General . 65
D.3.2 Sources in the non-energized test circuit . 65
D.3.3 Sources in the energized test circuit . 65
D.3.4 Measures for reduction of noise . 65
D.4 Application of multiplying factors for test voltages . 65
D.4.1 General . 65
D.4.2 Example 1 (circuit connected to mains supply). 66
D.4.3 Example 2 (internal circuit with maximum recurring peak voltage U ) . 66
rp
Annex E (informative) Comparison of creepage distances specified in Table F.5 and
clearances in Table A.1 . 67
Annex F (normative) Tables . 68
Annex G (informative) Determination of clearance distances according to 5.2 . 77
Annex H (informative) Determination of creepage distances according to 5.3 . 79
Bibliography . 81

Figure 1 – Recurring peak voltage . 19
Figure 2 – Determination of the width (W) and height (H) of a rib . 31
Figure 3 – Test voltages . 42
Figure 4 – Across the groove . 46
Figure 5 – Contour of the groove . 47
Figure 6 – Contour of the groove with angle . 47
Figure 7 – Contour of rib . 47
Figure 8 – Uncemented joint with grooves less than X . 48

IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
Figure 9 – Uncemented joint with grooves equal to or more than X . 48
Figure 10 – Uncemented joint with a groove on one side less than X . 49
Figure 11 – Creepage distance and clearance through an uncemented joint . 49
Figure 12 – Creepage distance and clearance to a head of screw more than X . 49
Figure 13 – Creepage distance and clearance to a head of screw less than X . 50
Figure 14 – Creepage distance and clearance with conductive floating part . 50
Figure A.1 – Withstand voltage at 2 000 m above sea level. 53
Figure A.2 – Experimental data measured at approximately sea level and their low
limits for inhomogeneous field . 54
Figure A.3 – Experimental data measured at approximately sea level and their low
limits for homogeneous field . 55
Figure C.1 – Earthed test specimen . 58
Figure C.2 – Unearthed test specimen . 59
Figure C.3 – Calibration for earthed test specimen. 62
Figure C.4 – Calibration for unearthed test specimen . 62
Figure D.1 – Partial discharge test circuits . 64
Figure E.1 – Comparison between creepage distances specified in Table F.5 and
clearances in Table A.1 . 67
Figure G.1 – Determination of clearance distances according to 5.2 (1 of 2) . 77
Figure H.1 – Determination of creepage distances according to 5.3 (1 of 2) . 79

Table 1 – Dimensioning of grooves . 46
Table A.1 – Withstand voltages for an altitude of 2 000 m above sea level (1 of 2) . 51
Table A.2 – Altitude correction factors for clearance correction . 52
Table B.1 – Inherent control or equivalent protective control . 56
Table B.2 – Cases where protective control is necessary and control is provided by
surge protective device having a ratio of voltage protection level to rated voltage not
smaller than that specified in IEC 61643 (all parts) . 57
Table F.1 – Rated impulse withstand voltage for equipment energized directly from the
mains supply . 68
Table F.2 – Clearances to withstand transient overvoltages . 69
Table F.3 – Single-phase three-wire or two-wire AC or DC systems . 70
Table F.4 – Three-phase four-wire or three-wire AC systems . 71
Table F.5 – Creepage distances to avoid failure due to tracking (1 of 2) . 72
Table F.6 – Test voltages for verifying clearances only at different altitudes . 74
Table F.7 – Severities for conditioning of solid insulation . 74
Table F.8 – Dimensioning of clearances to withstand steady-state peak voltages,
b
temporary overvoltages or recurring peak voltages . 75
Table F.9 – Additional information concerning the dimensioning of clearances to avoid
partial discharge . 75
Table F.10 – Altitude correction factors for clearance correction . 76

– 6 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
INSULATION COORDINATION FOR EQUIPMENT
WITHIN LOW-VOLTAGE SUPPLY SYSTEMS –

Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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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 60664-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 109:
Insulation co-ordination for low-voltage equipment.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2007. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) update of the Scope, Clauses 2 and 3,
b) new structure for Clauses 4 and 5,
c) addition of 1 500 V DC into tables in Annex B and F,
d) update of distances altitude correction in a new Table F.10,
e) addition of Annex G with a flowchart for clearances,

IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 7 –
f) addition of Annex H with a flowchart for creepage distances.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
109/183/FDIS 109/186/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60664 series, published under the general title Insulation
coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems, can be found on the IEC
website.
Future standards in this series will carry the new general title as cited above. Titles of existing
standards in this series will be updated at the time of the next edition.
In this document, the following print type is used:
– Terms defined in Clause 3: in bold type.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 8 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
INSULATION COORDINATION FOR EQUIPMENT
WITHIN LOW-VOLTAGE SUPPLY SYSTEMS –

Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60664 deals with insulation coordination for equipment having a
rated voltage up to AC 1 000 V or DC 1 500 V connected to low-voltage supply systems.
This document applies to frequencies up to 30 kHz.
NOTE 1 Requirements for insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems with rated
frequencies above 30 kHz are given in IEC 60664-4.
NOTE 2 Higher voltages can exist in internal circuits of the equipment.
It applies to equipment for use up to 2 000 m above sea level and provides guidance for use
at higher altitudes (See 5.2.3.4).
It provides requirements for technical committees to determine clearances, creepage
distances and criteria for solid insulation. It includes methods of electrical testing with
respect to insulation coordination.
The minimum clearances specified in this document do not apply where ionized gases are
present. Special requirements for such situations can be specified at the discretion of the
relevant technical committee.
This document does not deal with distances:
– through liquid insulation;
– through gases other than air;
– through compressed air.
This basic safety publication focusing on safety essential requirements is primarily intended
for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards in accordance with the
principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of
basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications.
However, in case of missing specified values for clearances, creepage distances and
requirements for solid insulation in the relevant product standards, or even missing
standards, this document applies.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements 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 60068-2-2, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Tests B: Dry heat

IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 9 –
IEC 60068-2-14:2009, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of
temperature
IEC 60068-2-78, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60270, High-voltage test techniques – Partial discharge measurements
IEC 61140:2016, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61180:2016, High-voltage test techniques for low-voltage equipment – Definitions, test
and procedure requirements, test equipment
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
low-voltage supply system
all installations and plant provided for the purpose of generating, transmitting and distributing
electricity
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-601:1985, 601-01-01, modified – The term " electric power system" has
been replaced with “low-voltage supply system”.]
3.1.2
mains supply
AC or DC power distribution system (external to the equipment) that supplies operating power
to the equipment
Note 1 to entry: Mains supply includes public or private utilities and, unless otherwise specified in this document,
equivalent sources such as motor-driven generators and uninterruptible power supplies.
3.1.3
insulation coordination
mutual correlation of insulation characteristics of electrical equipment taking into account the
expected micro-environment and other influencing stresses
Note 1 to entry: Expected voltage stresses are characterized in terms of the characteristics defined in 3.1.7
to 3.1.16.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-09-01, modified – “electrical” replaces “electric” and
Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.1.4
clearance
shortest distance in air between two conductive parts
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-27-76]

– 10 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
3.1.5
creepage distance
shortest distance along the surface of a solid insulating material between two conductive
parts
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-15-50]
3.1.6
solid insulation
solid insulating material or a combination of solid insulating materials, placed between two
conductive parts or between a conductive part and a body part
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-903:2015, 903-04-14, modified – The example has been deleted.]
3.1.7
working voltage
highest RMS value of the AC or DC voltage across any particular insulation which can occur
when the equipment is supplied at rated voltage
Note 1 to entry: Transient overvoltages are disregarded.
Note 2 to entry: Both open-circuit conditions and normal operating conditions are taken into account.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-12-31]
3.1.8
steady-state working voltage
working voltage after the transient overvoltage phenomena have subsided and not taking
into account short-term voltage variations
3.1.9
steady-state peak voltage
peak value of the steady-state working voltage
3.1.10
recurring peak voltage
U
rp
maximum peak value of periodic excursions of the voltage waveform resulting from distortions
of an AC voltage or from AC components superimposed on a DC voltage
Note 1 to entry: Random overvoltages, for example due to occasional switching, are not considered to be
recurring peak voltages.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-09-15]
3.1.11
overvoltage
any voltage having a peak value exceeding the corresponding peak value
of maximum steady-state working voltage at normal operating conditions
3.1.12
temporary overvoltage
overvoltage at power frequency of relatively long duration
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-614:2016, 614-03-13, modified – “power frequency overvoltage” has
been replaced with “overvoltage at power frequency” and Note 1 to entry has been deleted.]

IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020 – 11 –
3.1.13
transient overvoltage
short duration overvoltage of a few milliseconds or less, oscillatory or non-oscillatory, usually
highly damped
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-614:2016, 614-03-14, modified – “overvoltage with a duration” has
been replaced with “short duration overvoltage” and the notes have been deleted.]
3.1.14
withstand voltage
voltage to be applied to a specimen under specified test conditions
which does not cause breakdown of insulation and/or flashover of a satisfactory specimen
3.1.15
impulse withstand voltage
highest peak value of impulse voltage of specified form and polarity which does not cause
breakdown of insulation under specified conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-09-18, modified – "prescribed" has been replaced with
"specified".]
3.1.16
temporary withstand overvoltage
highest RMS value of a temporary overvoltage which does not cause breakdown of
insulation under specified conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-09-19]
3.1.17
rated voltage
U
n
value of voltage assigned by the manufacturer, to a component, device or
equipment and to which operation and performance characteristics are referred
Note 1 to entry: Equipment may have more than one rated voltage value or may have a rated voltage range.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-09-10, modified – “rated value of the voltage” has been
replaced with “value of voltage” and Note 2 to entry has been deleted.]
3.1.18
rated insulation voltage
U
i
value of the RMS withstand voltage assigned by the manufacturer to the equipment or to a
part of it, characterizing the specified (long-term) withstand capability of its insulation
Note 1 to entry: The rated insulation voltage is equal to or greater than the rated voltage of equipment which is
primarily related to functional performance.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-312:2014, 312-06-02, modified – symbol has been added, in the
definition “rated value” has been replaced by “value” and in the note “not necessarily equal to”
has been replaced by “equal to or greater than”.]
3.1.19
rated impulse withstand voltage
U
imp
value of the impulse withstand voltage assigned by the manufacturer to the equipment or to
a part of it, characterizing the specified withstand capability of its insulation against transient
overvoltages
– 12 – IEC 60664-1:2020 © IEC 2020
3.1.20
overvoltage category
numeral defining a transient overvoltage condition
Note 1 to entry: Overvoltage categories I, II, III and IV are used, see 4.3.2.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-21-02, modified – Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.1.21
environment
surrounding which can affect performance of a device or system
EXAMPLE Pressure, temperature, humidity, pollution, radiation and vibration.
3.1.22
macro-environment
environment of the room or other location in which the equipment is installed or used
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:2014, 442-01-55]
3.1.23
micro-environment
ambient conditions which immediately influences the dimensioning
of the clearance and creepage distances
3.1.24
pollutio
...