EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 12-Nov-2026
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 15 - Insulating materials
• Current Stage: 5060 - Voting results sent to TC, SR - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 - Plastic films for electrical purposes - Part 3: Specifications for individual materials - Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

• Refers: EN 60674-1:1998 - Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes - Part 1: Definitions and general requirements
• Effective Date: 27-Oct-2026
• Refers: EN 60674-2:2017 - Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes - Part 2: Methods of test
• Effective Date: 27-Oct-2026
• Revises: EN IEC 60674-3-1:2021 - Plastic films for electrical purposes - Part 3: Specifications for individual materials - Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) film for capacitors
• Effective Date: 21-Jan-2025

EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 is a CLC electrotechnical standard for biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors. It specifies the material classification, dimensions, electrical properties and roll characteristics for PP dielectric films used in capacitor construction, and it points users to IEC 60674-1 and IEC 60674-2 for the general rules and test methods.

What does EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 specify?

EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 covers biaxially oriented polypropylene film with a smooth or rough surface, including films that are corona treated when needed for vacuum metallization. The document is for films used as dielectric in capacitors, so it is aimed at material suppliers, capacitor manufacturers and test laboratories.

The standard is organized into a foreword, introduction, clauses 1 to 9, and a bibliography. Clause 4 classifies the film types, clause 5 gives the designation format, clauses 6 to 8 cover requirements, and clause 9 covers roll characteristics.

What are the key requirements of EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026?

Material type, surface condition and designation

Clause 4 divides the film into three main types: smooth-surface film, rough-surface film, and thin film with high electric strength. Each type also has subtypes for untreated film and for one-side or both-sides pre-treated film for vacuum deposition of metal.

Clause 5 gives the identification format for ordering and marking. In practice, buyers and suppliers need to state the standard reference, PP, the type, thickness, width and length so the film can be matched to the intended capacitor process.

General material and dimensional requirements

Clause 6 requires the film to be made essentially from isotactic polypropylene homopolymer and to comply with the general requirements of IEC 60674-1. This matters because the film is not just a generic polypropylene sheet - it is intended to meet the electrical and handling expectations of the series.

Clause 7 covers thickness, width and length or diameter. Thickness is measured using the test methods in IEC 60674-2, width is measured by the same test standard, and the document leaves length and roll diameter to the purchase contract. For users, this means thickness and width control are specified, while roll length and diameter must be agreed commercially.

Physical and electrical properties

Clause 8.1 points to the required physical properties in Table 1, including density, melting point, tensile strength, elongation at break, surface and volume resistivity, dissipation factor, relative permittivity and dimensional change for shrinkage. These are the core material checks for confirming that the film behaves as expected in processing and in service.

Clause 8.2 sets the DC electric strength requirements, including a higher-temperature test condition for thin film. Clause 8.3 covers electrical weak spots and allows compliance through either of two counting methods. In practice, these clauses are the main screening tests for dielectric quality and defect control.

Surface treatment, impregnation and roll quality

Clause 8.5 applies wetting tension requirements only to the pre-treated film types. Clauses 8.6 to 8.8 deal with liquid absorption, compatibility with impregnants and dissipation factor under impregnated conditions, but they leave the exact limits and methods to agreement between supplier and purchaser. That is important because capacitor impregnants vary widely.

Clause 8.9 introduces space factor, which links surface roughness to the increase in bulking thickness over gravimetric thickness. Clause 9 then covers windability, joins, roll width, cores and labelling. These requirements matter for converting the film into rolls that can run through capacitor winding equipment without damage or excessive defects.

What terms does EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 use?

• PP - Polypropylene, the base polymer used for the film.
• Corona treated - Surface treatment used when the film needs better adhesion for vacuum metallization.
• Vacuum metallization - A process for depositing metal on the film surface to form capacitor electrodes.
• Space factor - The percentage increase in bulking thickness over gravimetric thickness, used to distinguish rough-surface film from smooth-surface film.
• Impregnants - The dielectric fluids used with impregnated capacitors, which may affect absorption, compatibility and loss behavior.
• DSC - Differential scanning calorimetry, the method cited for measuring melting point in the physical properties table.
• Wetting tension - A surface property used to check the suitability of pre-treated film surfaces.

Who uses EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026?

EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 is used by capacitor manufacturers, film suppliers, quality control laboratories and purchasing teams that specify dielectric film for capacitors. It is also relevant to test laboratories that measure electrical strength, weak spots, resistivity, shrinkage and roll characteristics. In practice, it supports product selection, incoming inspection, supplier qualification and contract specification.

What changed in EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 from the previous edition?

The foreword says this third edition cancels and replaces the second edition and its two amendments. It also states that the document has been completely revised editorially and technically, that it has been included in the IEC 60674 series, and that the test methods have been updated to reflect the current state of the art.

Which standards are used with EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026?

• IEC 60674-1:1980 - Provides the definitions and general requirements that this sheet builds on.
• IEC 60674-2:2016 - Provides the test methods used throughout the document for thickness, width, electrical tests, windability and other measurements.
• ISO 1183-2:2019 - The density method cited in Table 1 for density measurement.
• ISO 11357-3:2018 - The DSC method cited in Table 1 for melting point measurement.

What does the EN IEC 60674-3-1:2026 document contain?

The document contains a classification system for film types, a designation format, and a set of property requirements tied to test methods from IEC 60674-2. It includes Table 1 for physical properties, Table 2 for DC electric strength, Table 3 for electrical weak spots, and Table 4 for the maximum number of joins in a roll. It also gives the procedures or references for thickness measurement, wetting tension, windability, roll-width control, core preferences and labelling of pre-treated film.

For design and procurement work, the most useful parts are the type classification, the designation format and the clauses that set the property checks. For testing work, the key content is the combination of IEC 60674-2 methods with the acceptance limits stated in the tables and clauses.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
01-november-2025
Plastične folije za električne namene - 3. del: Specifikacije za posamezne materiale
- 1. list: Dvoosno orientirane polipropilenske folije za kondenzatorje
Plastic films for electrical purposes - Part 3: Specifications for individual materials - Sheet
1: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors
Films plastiques à usages électriques - Partie 3: Spécifications pour matériaux
particuliers - Feuille 1: Films de polypropylène biorienté (PP) pour condensateurs
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
ICS:
29.035.20 Plastični in gumeni izolacijski Plastics and rubber insulating
materiali materials
83.140.10 Filmi in folije Films and sheets
oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
15/1069/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60674-3-1 ED3
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-09-26 2025-12-19
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
15/1055/CD, 15/1065A/CC
IEC TC 15 : SOLID ELECTRICAL INSULATING MATERIALS
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
United States of America Mr Solomon Chiang
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

TC 112
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
Electricity transmission and distribution, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Energy Efficiency, Safety
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft for Vote
(CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some Countries” clauses to
be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for submitting ISC clauses.
(SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).
nex A
TITLE:
Plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented
polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2031
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
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oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
IEC CDV 60674-3-1 © IEC 2025
Link to Committee Draft for Vote (CDV) online document:

https://osd.iec.ch/#/editor/archive/2c752e0c-a292-4759-e063-6d13000a4076/en/CCDV/1

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oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
IEC CDV 60674-3-1 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Classification . 5
5 Designation . 6
6 General requirements . 6
7 Dimensions . 6
7.1 Thickness . 6
7.2 Width . 6
7.3 Length/diameter . 7
8 Properties . 7
8.1 Physical properties . 7
8.2 Electric strength (DC test) . 8
8.3 Electrical weak spots . 8
8.4 Thermal endurance . 9
8.5 Wetting tension (types 1b + 1c, 2b + 2c and 3b + 3c only) . 9
8.6 Liquid absorption . 9
8.7 Compatibility with impregnants. 10
8.8 Dissipation factor under impregnated conditions . 10
8.9 Space factor . 10
9 Roll characteristics . 10
9.1 Windability . 10
9.2 Joins . 10
9.3 Roll width (overall width) . 11
9.4 Core . 11
9.5 Labelling . 11
Bibliography . 12

Table 1 – Physical properties . 7
Table 2 – Electric strength (DC test) for types 1, 2 and 3 . 8
Table 3 – Electrical weak spots for types 1, 2 and 3 . 9
Table 4 – Maximum number of joins within a roll (types 1, 2 and 3) . 11

oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
IEC CDV 60674-3-1 © IEC 2025
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Plastic films for electrical purposes –
Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented
polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

FOREWORD
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced
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9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve
the use of (a) patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability
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IEC [had/had not] received notice of (a) patent(s), which may be required to implement this
oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
IEC CDV 60674-3-1 © IEC 2025
document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest
information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch.
IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60674–3–1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 15: Solid electrical insulating
materials. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in [publication_date],
Amendment 1:[publication_date] and Amendment 2:[publication_date]. This edition constitutes
a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) this document has been completely revised editorially and technically and included in the
IEC 60674 series of standards;
b) the test methods have been updated to reflect today’s state of the art.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
15/XX/CDV 15/XX/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at http://www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC
are described in greater detail at http://www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60674 series, published under the general title Plastic films for
electrical purposes, can be found on the IEC website.
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, or
– revised.
oSIST prEN IEC 60674-3-1:2025
IEC CDV 60674-3-1 © IEC 2025
INTRODUCTION
This standard is one of a series which deals with plastic films for electrical purposes. The series
will consist of three parts:
Part 1: Definitions and general requirements (IEC 60674–1:1980);
Part 2: Methods of test (IEC 606
...