EN IEC 60895:2020

Live working - Conductive clothing

IEC 60895:2020 is applicable to conductive clothing, worn during live working (especially bare-hand working) on AC and DC electrical installations, to provide electrical continuity between all parts of the clothing and a reduction of electric field inside the clothing. This document is applicable to conductive clothing assembled from a conductive garment (jackets and trousers or coveralls forming a one-piece garment) and from conductive component parts (gloves, hoods or helmets, shoes or boots, overshoe socks and socks) in electrical systems with nominal voltage up to 1 000 kV AC and up to ±800 kV DC. This document does not indicate values of protection from the effects of the electric arc, because any value indicated would not guarantee the necessary protection from the effects of electric arcs, or the operator would need to wear very heavy and rigid conductive clothing, which would not allow the execution of the work in safety. The products designed and manufactured according to this document contribute to the safety of the users provided they are used by persons trained for the work, in accordance with the live working methods and the instructions for use. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2002. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) increase of the use up to 1 000 kV AC and ±800 kV DC; b) introduction of two classes of conductive clothing with different electrical requirements; c) revision of the electrical requirements of conductive clothing; d) definition of specific resistance values for each component part of the conductive clothing; e) introduction of conductive helmet and conductive scarf as component parts of conductive clothing; f) introduction of mechanical requirements and new tests for fabrics; g) update of the cleaning test procedures; h) revision of the efficiency test of the conductive clothing to improve the feasibility and repeatability; i) preparation of the elements of classification of defects, and general application of IEC 61318:2007; j) the normative Annex B for the classification of tests has been replaced by normative Annex C for the general type tests procedure, the normative Annex D for the classification of defects and the informative Annex E providing the justification for the classification of defects; k) the normative Annex C on sampling procedure has been deleted (not applicable according to IEC 61318:2007); l) modification of the recommended frequency of the periodic tests.

Arbeiten unter Spannung - Leitfähige Kleidung

Travaux sous tension – Vêtements conducteurs

IEC 60895: 2020 est applicable aux vêtements conducteurs portés lors des travaux sous tension (en particulier lors du travail au potentiel) sur des installations électriques à courant alternatif et à courant continu pour assurer une continuité électrique entre les différentes parties du vêtement et une réduction du champ électrique à l'intérieur du vêtement. Le présent document est applicable aux vêtements conducteurs constitués d'un article d’habillement conducteur (vestes et pantalons ou article d’habillement d'une seule pièce) ou de parties composantes conductrices (gants, cagoules ou casques, chaussures ou bottes, couvre-chaussures et chaussettes) dans des systèmes électriques avec une tension nominale allant jusqu'à 1 000 kV en courant alternatif et jusqu'à ±800 kV en courant continu. Le présent document n'indique pas les valeurs de protection contre les effets des arcs électriques, car les valeurs indiquées ne garantissent pas la protection nécessaire contre les effets des arcs électriques, ou l'opérateur serait contraint de porter des vêtements conducteurs très lourds et rigides, ce qui empêche l'exécution des travaux en toute sécurité. Les produits conçus et fabriqués conformément au présent document contribuent à la sécurité des utilisateurs, à condition qu'ils soient utilisés par des personnes averties dans le respect des méthodes applicables au travail sous tension et des instructions d'emploi. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition, parue en 2002. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a) augmentation de l'utilisation jusqu'à 1 000 kV en courant alternatif et ±800 kV en courant continu; b) introduction de deux classes de vêtements conducteurs avec différentes exigences électriques; c) révision des exigences électriques du vêtement conducteur; d) définition de valeurs de résistance spécifiques pour chaque partie composante du vêtement conducteur; e) introduction du casque conducteur et de l'écharpe conductrice en tant que parties composantes du vêtement conducteur; f) introduction d'exigences mécaniques et de nouveaux essais pour les tissus; g) mise à jour des procédures d'essai de nettoyage; h) révision de l'essai d'efficacité du vêtement conducteur pour améliorer la faisabilité et la répétabilité; i) préparation des éléments de classification des défauts et application générale de l'IEC 61318:2007; j) l'Annexe B normative pour la classification des essais a été remplacée par l'Annexe C normative pour la procédure générale des essais de type, l'Annexe D normative pour la classification des défauts et l'Annexe E informative fournissant la justification ayant conduit à ladite classification; k) l'Annexe C normative sur la procédure d'échantillonnage a été supprimée (non applicable conformément à l'IEC 61318:2007); l) modification de la fréquence recommandée des essais périodiques.

Delo pod napetostjo - Prevodne obleke

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Jun-2020
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• ICS: 29.240 - Power transmission and distribution networks
• ICS: 29.240.20 - Power transmission and distribution lines
• ICS: 29.260.01 - Electrical equipment for working in special conditions in general
• ICS: 29.260.99 - Other electrical equipment for working in special conditions
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 78 - Equipment and tools for live working
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 78 - IEC_TC_78
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 12-Jun-2020
• Completion Date: 12-Jun-2020
• Directive: 89/686/EEC - Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 60895:2020 - Live working - Conductive clothing

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60895:2003 - Live working - Conductive clothing for use at nominal voltage up to 800 kV a.c. and ± 600 kV d.c.
• Effective Date: 16-Jun-2020

Overview

EN IEC 60895:2020 - Live working: Conductive clothing is the third-edition European adoption of IEC 60895:2020. It specifies requirements, tests and marking for conductive clothing worn during live working (especially bare‑hand working) on AC and DC electrical installations. The standard applies to garments and component parts (jackets, trousers, coveralls, gloves, hoods/helmets, shoes/boots, overshoe socks and socks, and newly included items such as conductive helmets and scarves) for systems with nominal voltages up to 1 000 kV AC and up to ±800 kV DC.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Design and classification: Introduction of two classes of conductive clothing with different electrical requirements and updated classification of defects.
• Electrical performance: Requirements for equipotential bonding, screening (shielding) efficiency to reduce internal electric fields, specified electrical resistance values for each component, and current‑carrying capability.
• Materials and mechanical properties: Mechanical requirements for outer layer materials (tear, burst, abrasion resistance), flame‑retardancy, and defined tests for fabrics.
• Component requirements: Specific criteria for conductive gloves, footwear, head covers, face screens and other component parts, including spark‑discharge protection.
• Testing and conformity: Comprehensive type tests, tests of materials, garments and complete clothing systems; updated cleaning test procedures and improved efficiency test methods for feasibility and repeatability. Normative annexes define general type test procedures and defect classifications.
• In‑service care and periodic testing: Guidance on cleaning, storage, inspection before use, non‑destructive periodic testing and record keeping; recommended frequencies for periodic tests were revised.
• Marking and instructions: Mandatory marking, packaging and user instructions to ensure correct use by trained personnel.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

• Electric utilities and live‑line crews: Selection and specification of conductive clothing for bare‑hand or close‑proximity work on high‑voltage AC/DC systems.
• PPE manufacturers and designers: Product design, material selection, testing protocols and compliance documentation for conductive garments and components.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors: Carrying out type tests, resistance and shielding measurements, and periodic conformity assessment.
• Safety managers and procurement officers: Setting procurement specifications, maintenance programs and training requirements to ensure safe live working practices.

Related standards

• IEC 61318 (conformity assessment for live‑working tools and equipment) - referenced for general procedures.
• IEC 61477 (minimum requirements for live working tools/devices).
• Textile test standards (ISO 3175, ISO 6330, ISO 12947 series) for cleaning and mechanical testing of fabrics.

EN IEC 60895:2020 is essential for anyone specifying, manufacturing, testing or using conductive clothing in high‑voltage live working - providing harmonized technical requirements and test methods to improve safety and reliability.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60895:2004
Delo pod napetostjo - Prevodne obleke
Live working - Conductive clothing
Arbeiten unter Spannung - Leitfähige Kleidung
Travaux sous tension – Vêtements conducteurs
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60895:2020
ICS:
13.260 Varstvo pred električnim Protection against electric
udarom. Delo pod napetostjo shock. Live working
13.340.10 Varovalna obleka Protective clothing
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60895

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2020
ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.01 Supersedes EN 60895:2003 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Live working - Conductive clothing
(IEC 60895:2020)
Travaux sous tension - Vêtements conducteurs Arbeiten unter Spannung - Leitfähige Kleidung
(IEC 60895:2020) (IEC 60895:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-05-25. 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 60895:2020 E
European foreword
The text of document 78/1309/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 60895, prepared by IEC/TC 78 "Live
working" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-02-25
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-05-25
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60895:2003 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.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60895:2020 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 60456:2010 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60456:2016 (modified)
IEC 60743:2013 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60743:2013 (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 60212 2010 Standard conditions for use prior to and EN 60212 2011
during the testing of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60417 -  Graphical symbols for use on equipment. - -
Index, survey and compilation of the single
sheets.
IEC 61318 -  Live working - Conformity assessment EN 61318 -
applicable to tools, devices and equipment
IEC 61477 -  Live working - Minimum requirements for EN 61477 -
the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
ISO 3175 series Textiles – Professional care, drycleaning EN ISO 3175 series
and wetcleaning of fabrics and garments
ISO 6330 -  Textiles – Domestic washing and drying EN ISO 6330 -
procedures for textile testing
ISO 12947-1 -  Textiles - Determination of the abrasion EN ISO 12947-1 -
resistance of fabrics by the Martindale
method – Part 1: Martindale abrasion
testing apparatus
ISO 12947-2 -  Textiles – Determination of the abrasion EN ISO 12947-2 -
resistance of fabrics by the Martindale
method – Part 2: Determination of
specimen breakdown
ISO 13937-2 -  Textiles - Tear properties of fabrics - PartE N ISO 13937-2 -
2: Determination of tear force of trouser-
shaped test specimens (Single tear
method)
ISO 13938-1 -  Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – EN ISO 13938-1 -
Part 1: Hydraulic method for determination
of bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 15797 -  Textiles – Industrial washing and finishing EN ISO 15797 -
procedures for testing of workwear

IEC 60895 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Live working – Conductive clothing

Travaux sous tension – Vêtements conducteurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.01 ISBN 978-2-8322-8099-7

– 2 – IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Requirements . 12
4.1 General . 12
4.2 Requirements for conductive clothing . 12
4.2.1 Design . 12
4.2.2 Classification . 12
4.2.3 Integrity of the conductive clothing . 12
4.2.4 Equipotential bonding . 13
4.2.5 Screening efficiency . 13
4.2.6 Spark-discharge protection . 13
4.3 Mechanical requirements for the outer layer material . 13
4.3.1 General . 13
4.3.2 Tear resistance . 13
4.3.3 Burst strength . 13
4.3.4 Abrasion resistance . 13
4.4 Requirements for material . 13
4.4.1 General . 13
4.4.2 Flame retardancy . 14
4.4.3 Electrical resistance . 14
4.4.4 Current-carrying capability . 14
4.4.5 Shielding efficiency . 14
4.4.6 Resistance to cleaning . 14
4.5 Specific requirements for component parts . 14
4.5.1 Conductive gloves, overshoe socks and socks . 14
4.5.2 Conductive footwear . 14
4.5.3 Conductive head cover, scarf and helmet . 15
4.5.4 Conductive face screen . 15
4.5.5 Requirements for garment – Electrical resistance . 15
4.6 Marking . 15
4.7 Packaging . 16
4.8 Instructions for use . 16
5 Tests . 16
5.1 General . 16
5.2 Mechanical tests for the outer layer material . 17
5.2.1 Type test . 17
5.2.2 Alternative method to mechanical test in cases where outer layer
materials have completed the production phase. 17
5.3 Tests of the material . 17
5.3.1 General . 17
5.3.2 Flame-retardancy test . 17
5.3.3 Electrical resistance test . 23
5.3.4 Current-carrying capability . 26

IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
5.3.5 Shielding efficiency . 27
5.3.6 Resistance to cleaning . 31
5.3.7 Spark-discharge protection . 33
5.4 Tests of garment – Measurement of electrical resistance . 34
5.4.1 General . 34
5.4.2 Type test . 34
5.4.3 Alternative method to electrical resistance test in cases where garments
have completed the production phase . 35
5.5 Tests of the complete conductive clothing . 35
5.5.1 General . 35
5.5.2 Integrity of the conductive clothing . 35
5.5.3 Bonding test . 35
5.5.4 Screening efficiency . 36
5.6 Tests of the component parts . 43
5.6.1 General . 43
5.6.2 Type test . 43
5.6.3 Alternative methods in cases where component parts have completed

the production phase . 51
5.7 Marking . 51
5.7.1 Presence and correctness of marking . 51
5.7.2 Durability of marking . 51
5.8 Packaging . 51
5.9 Presence and correctness of instructions for use . 51
6 Conformity assessment of products having completed the production phase . 52
7 Modification . 52
Annex A (informative) Guidelines for the selection of the maximum voltage class of
conductive clothing in relation to the nominal voltage of an electric system . 53
Annex B (normative) Suitable for live working; double triangle (IEC 60417-5216:2002-10) . 54
Annex C (normative) General procedure for type tests . 55
C.1 Tests on the outer layer material . 55
C.2 Tests on material . 55
C.3 Tests on the conductive garment . 55
C.4 Tests on the conductive component parts . 56
C.5 Tests on the complete conductive clothing . 56
Annex D (normative) Classification of defects and tests to be allocated . 57
Annex E (informative) Rationale for the classification of defects . 60
Annex F (informative) In-service use and care . 63
F.1 General . 63
F.2 Care, storage and repair . 63
F.2.1 Care . 63
F.2.2 Storage. 63
F.2.3 Cleaning and washing. 63
F.2.4 Patching and repair of conductive fabric . 63
F.3 Inspection before use . 64
F.3.1 General . 64
F.3.2 Conductive clothing . 64
F.3.3 Conductive boots and leg straps . 64
F.3.4 Conductive socks and gloves . 64

– 4 – IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020
F.4 Non-destructive periodic testing . 64
F.4.1 General . 64
F.4.2 Time between periodic tests . 64
F.4.3 Resistance test . 64
F.4.4 Record keeping . 65
Annex G (informative) Face protection . 66
G.1 General . 66
G.2 Face screen design . 66
Annex H (informative) Example of general arrangement of complete conductive

clothing . 68
Bibliography . 69

Figure 1 – Flame-retardancy test – Test chamber . 18
Figure 2 – Flame-retardancy test – Test piece holder and support . 20
Figure 3 – Electrical resistance test – Test set-up . 24
Figure 4 – Orientation of test pieces for electrical resistance and current-carrying
capability tests . 25
Figure 5 – Electrical resistance test – Electrical circuit . 25
Figure 6 – Shielding efficiency . 30
Figure 7 – Screening efficiency of conductive clothing – First method: Test set-up . 39
Figure 8 – Screening efficiency of conductive clothing – First method – Details of the
measurements . 40
Figure 9 – Position of ammeters for screening efficiency test . 41
Figure 10 – Second method to check the screening efficiency. 42
Figure 11 – Electrical resistance test – Conductive gloves . 44
Figure 12 – Electrical resistance test – Conductive overshoe socks and socks . 45
Figure 13 – Electrical resistance test – Conductive footwear . 47
Figure 14 – Electrical resistance test – Conductive head covers, scarves and face
screens . 50
Figure B.1 – Symbol for live working with its dimensions (IEC 60417-5216:2002-10) . 54
Figure G.1 – Electric field strength as a function of mesh opening radius . 67
Figure H.1 – Example of general arrangement of complete conductive clothing . 68

Table 1 – Arithmetic mean and maximum resistance of a unit square of the conductive
material according to the maximum voltage class of the conductive clothing . 26
Table 2 – Minimum shielding efficiency of conductive material according to the
maximum voltage class of the conductive clothing . 31
Table 3 – Maximum resistance for garment according to the maximum voltage class of
the conductive clothing . 35
Table 4 – Maximum bonding resistance of the conductive clothing according to its
maximum voltage class . 36
Table 5 – Maximum phase-to-earth test voltage according to the maximum voltage
class of the conductive clothing . 37
Table 6 – Minimum screening efficiency of conductive clothing according to the
maximum voltage class . 42
Table 7 – Parameters of the alternative test and minimum screening efficiency of
conductive clothing according to the maximum voltage class . 43

IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
Table 8 – Maximum resistance of glove according to the maximum voltage class of the
conductive clothing . 44
Table 9 – Maximum resistance of overshoe socks and socks according to the

maximum voltage class of the conductive clothing . 45
Table 10 – Maximum resistance of conductive hood, scarf, helmet and face screen
according to the maximum voltage class of the conductive clothing . 51
Table A.1 – Designation of maximum use voltage . 53
Table C.1 – List of type tests to be carried out on the outer layer material . 55
Table C.2 – List of type tests to be carried out on the material . 55
Table C.3 – List of type tests to be carried out on the conductive garment . 56
Table C.4 – List of type tests to be carried out on the component parts . 56
Table C.5 – List of type tests to be carried out on the complete conductive clothing. 56
Table D.1 – Classification of defects on the outer layer material and associated
requirements and tests . 57
Table D.2 – Classification of defects on the conductive material and associated

requirements and tests . 57
Table D.3 – Classification of defects on the conductive garment and associated
requirements and tests . 58
Table D.4 – Classification of defects on the conductive component parts and
associated requirements and tests . 58
Table D.5 – Classification of defects on the complete conductive clothing and

associated requirements and tests . 59
Table E.1 – Justification for the type of defect. 60

– 6 – IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING – CONDUCTIVE CLOTHING

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 itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
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 60895 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2002. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This 3edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) increase of the use up to 1 000 kV AC and ±800 kV DC;
b) introduction of two classes of conductive clothing with different electrical requirements;
c) revision of the electrical requirements of conductive clothing;
d) definition of specific resistance values for each component part of the conductive clothing;
e) introduction of conductive helmet and conductive scarf as component parts of conductive
clothing;
f) introduction of mechanical requirements and new tests for fabrics;
g) update of the cleaning test procedures;

IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 7 –
h) revision of the efficiency test of the conductive clothing to improve the feasibility and
repeatability;
i) preparation of the elements of classification of defects, and general application of
IEC 61318:2007;
j) the normative Annex B for the classification of tests has been replaced by normative
Annex C for the general type tests procedure, the normative Annex D for the classification
of defects and the informative Annex E providing the justification for the classification of
defects;
k) the normative Annex C on sampling procedure has been deleted (not applicable according
to IEC 61318:2007);
l) modification of the recommended frequency of the periodic tests.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
78/1309/FDIS 78/1312/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.
Terms defined in Clause 3 are given in italic print throughout this standard.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website 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.
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 60895:2020 © IEC 2020
INTRODUCTION
This document provides specifications for protective conductive clothing currently being used
without incident in live work by qualified electrical workers throughout the world. The adequacy
of this clothing is established by its screening efficiency and the electrical resistance of material
and component parts of the conductive clothing. Based on resistance measurements carried
out by manufacturers and utilities of used clothing being successfully worn in the field,
differences of up to 1 000 fold have been reported.
The whole set-up and preparation work in very high voltage is made to limit the power of electric
arcs during work activities.
When, in the preparation phase of the work, the risk assessment leads to a high probability that
there may be electric arcs, due to the short distances or unsuitable equipment insulation, the
work is not done.
This approach is dictated by the fact that the electric arcs produced by high-voltage installations
have very significant thermal and electrical effects, which are hardly attenuated by protective
clothing worn by operators.
If protection against electric arc value is required by agreements between customer and
manufacturer, it is possible to perform tests on the fabric and/or on the garment complete with
accessories using the reference standards already published on this topic by IEC TC 78.
This document has been prepared according to the requirements of IEC 61477, where
applicable.
The bibliography provides a list of papers of international level that were used during the
development of this edition of IEC 60895.
The product covered by this document may have an impact on the environment during some or
all stages of its life cycle. These impacts can range from slight to significant, be of short-term
or long-term duration, and occur at the global, regional or local level.
This document does not include requirements and test provisions for the manufacturers of the
product, or recommendations to the users of the product for environmental improvement.
However, all parties intervening in its design, manufacture, packaging, distribution, use,
maintenance, repair, reuse, recovery and disposal are invited to take account of environmental
considerations.
IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 9 –
LIVE WORKING – CONDUCTIVE CLOTHING

1 Scope
This document is applicable to conductive clothing, worn during live working (especially bare-
hand working) on AC and DC electrical installations, to provide electrical continuity between all
parts of the clothing and a reduction of electric field inside the clothing.
This document is applicable to conductive clothing assembled from a conductive garment
(jackets and trousers or coveralls forming a one-piece garment) and from conductive component
parts (gloves, hoods or helmets, shoes or boots, overshoe socks and socks) in electrical
systems with nominal voltage up to 1 000 kV AC and up to ±800 kV DC.
This document does not indicate values of protection from the effects of the electric arc,
because any value indicated would not guarantee the necessary protection from the effects of
electric arcs, or the operator would need to wear very heavy and rigid conductive clothing, which
would not allow the execution of the work in safety.
The products designed and manufactured according to this document contribute to the safety
of the users provided they are used by persons trained for the work, in accordance with the live
working methods and the instructions for use.
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 60212:2010, Standard conditions for use prior to and during the testing of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment (available at: http://www.graphical-
symbols.info/equipment)
IEC 61318, Live working – Conformity assessment applicable to tools, devices and equipment
IEC 61477, Live working – Minimum requirements for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
ISO 3175 (all parts), Textiles – Professional care, drycleaning and wetcleaning of fabrics and
garments
ISO 6330, Textiles – Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
ISO 12947-1, Textiles – Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale
method – Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus
ISO 12947-2, Textiles – Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale
method – Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown
ISO 13937-2, Textiles – Tear properties of fabrics – Part 2: Determination of tear force of
trouser-shaped test specimens (Single tear method)

– 10 – IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020
ISO 13938-1, Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – Part 1: Hydraulic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 15797, Textiles – Industrial washing and finishing procedures for testing of workwear
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61318 and the
following 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
component part
additional element of the complete conductive clothing such as glove, sock, scarf, head cover,
face screen, and footwear worn in addition to the main garment and bonded to it
3.2
conductive clothing
clothing made of natural or synthetic material(s) with integral interwoven conductive fibres or
layers used to provide electrical continuity between all parts of the clothing and a reduction of
the electric field inside the clothing
Note 1 to entry: The term conductive clothing includes conductive jacket, trousers, coverall (one-piece clothing),
gloves, hood, overshoe socks and socks.
Note 2 to entry: Conductive footwear and conductive helmet are component parts used in conjunction with the
conductive clothing.
[SOURCE: IEC 60743:2013, 8.1.8]
3.3
conductive element
metallic thread or non-metallic conductive substance used to make conductive material
3.4
conductive face screen
protective device made of conductive solid or meshed material affording protection to the face
of the worker, or portion thereof, from an electric field
SEE: Figure H.1
[SOURCE: IEC 60743:2013, 8.1.9]
3.5
conductive footwear
protective footwear made with a conductive sole
SEE: Figure H.1
Note 1 to entry: The conductive footwear may have a conductive strap for connecting the conductive clothing.
Note 2 to entry: Conductive footwear may also provide a certain mechanical protection.

IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 11 –
3.6
conductive glove
component part for the protection of hands
SEE: Figure H.1
3.7
conductive head cover
part of clothing, either as a separate item or integrated into a complete garment, that covers
the head
SEE: Figure H.1
Note 1 to entry: For example, a conductive head cover can be a conductive hood or a conductive helmet.
3.8
conductive material
material composed of metallic threads or non-metallic conductive substances and natural or
synthetic threads closely woven, knitted, or layered
3.9
conductive overshoe sock
conductive sock
sock made of conductive material, worn over shoe or boot
SEE: Figure H.1
3.10
equipotential bonding
provision of electric connections between conductive parts, intended to achieve equipotentiality
SEE: Figure H.1
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-826:2004, 826-13-19]
3.11
equipotential bonding lead
flexible conductive connection used by the worker to connect the conductive clothing to another
conductive part to create equipotential bonding
Note 1 to entry: An equipotential bonding lead is not an earthing device.
[SOURCE: IEC 60743:2013, 8.1.6, modified – The definition has been modified to fit the specific
application.]
3.12
garment
main body of the clothing, either one piece or consisting of jacket and trousers
SEE: Figure H.1
3.13
screening efficiency
base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the total current injected into the conductive clothing and the
body to the current flowing only in the body
3.14
shielding efficiency
base 10 logarithm of the ratio of a voltage without the conductive material to the voltage
measured at the spot with conductive material

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3.15
test piece
part of fabric or other part of conductive material used for the tests
4 Requirements
4.1 General
The following requirements have been prepared in order that the products covered by this
document are designed and manufactured to contribute to the safety of the users, provided they
are used by persons skilled for live working, in accordance with safety method of work and the
instructions for use.
4.2 Requirements for conductive clothing
4.2.1 Design
The conductive clothing shall constitute an electrically continuous assembly for the worker.
The conductive clothing can be made of a single conductive material layer, or it can be made
of a multilayer. In case of a multilayer, the outer layer material of the conductive clothing may
be conductive or non-conductive, but at least one layer shall be conductive.
If press studs, zip fasteners, hooks and eyes or any other method of fastening are used in the
assembly of the complete conductive clothing, the electrical conductivity of the clothing should
not be impaired.
The bonding lead shall be capable of withstanding the anticipated electrical and mechanical
stresses. The design of the equipotential bonding lead should be such that it does not interfere
with the emergency procedures, for example, in case of a fall.
If the garment is made up of more than one piece (for example, separate jacket or trousers),
the method of attachment (bonding) of the individual pieces shall be electrically continuous.
The overlap of the individual component parts shall be such as to ensure that the body of the
worker is totally covered.
4.2.2 Classification
The conductive clothing covered by this document shall be designated as follows:
– by maximum voltage as class 1 (800 kV AC / ±600 kV DC) or class 2 (1000 kV AC /
±800 kV DC);
– by the maximum nominal AC and DC voltage at which the conductive clothing can be used
(according to the test conditions for screening efficiency).
Guidance for the selection of maximum voltage class (AC and DC) is given in Annex A.
NOTE The maximum voltage class 1 corresponds in general criteria to the conductive clothing of IEC 60895:2002
(up to 800 kV AC and ±600 kV DC).
4.2.3 Integrity of the conductive clothing
The conductive clothing shall be assembled with all its component parts. All the connection
systems according to the design shall work properly. All the component parts shall not be
damaged or deteriorated in normal use, and shall be controlled as specified in 5.5.2. This
requirement applies to both maximum voltage classes.

IEC 60895:2020 © IEC 2020 – 13 –
4.2.4 Equipotential bonding
All the component parts of the complete conductive clothing shall be designed to be electrically
bonded, and shall be controlled as specified in 5.5.3. This requirement shall respect the value
for each maximum voltage class shown in Table 4.
4.2.5 Screening efficiency
The conductive clothing shall attenuate the electric field. The attenuation of the conductive
clothing is determined by screening efficiency. This requirement shall be controlled as specified
in 5.5.4 and shall respect Table 6 or Table 7.
4.2.6 Spark-discharge protection
To reduce the effect of direct spark discha
...