EN IEC 61812-1:2024

Time relays and coupling relays for industrial and residential use - Part 1: Requirements and tests

This part of the IEC 61812 series applies to time relays and coupling relays for industrial applications (e.g. control, automation, signal and industrial equipment) and for automatic electrical controls for use in, on, or in association with equipment for residential and similar use. The term "relay" as used in this document comprises all types of relays with specified time functions and coupling relays, other than measuring relays. This document defines type test and routine test to confirm the service condition.

Zeitrelais und Koppelrelais für industrielle Anwendungen und in der Gebäudeinstallation -Teil 1: Anforderungen und Prüfungen

Relais temporisés et relais de de couplage pour applications industrielles et résidentielles - Partie 1: Exigences et essais

IEC 61812-1:2023 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61812-1:2023 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.L'IEC 61812-1:2023 s'applique aux relais temporisés et aux relais de couplage pour applications industrielles (par exemple, systèmes industriels de commande, d'automatisation et de signalisation) ainsi qu'aux dispositifs de commande électrique automatiques destinés à être utilisés dans, sur ou avec des équipements pour applications résidentielles et analogues. Le terme "relais", utilisé dans le présent document, comprend tous les types de relais temporisés et de relais de couplage, hormis les relais de mesure. Le présent document définit l'essai de type et l'essai individuel de série qui visent à confirmer la condition de service. Les définitions des différents types de relais temporisés utilisés dans la série IEC 61812 sont données en 3.2. L'IEC 61812-1:2023 annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2011. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a) mise à jour des références; b) ajout d'exigences relatives à l'appréciation du risque; c) ajout d'exigences relatives à l'essai individuel de série; d) renumérotation des paragraphes selon un ordre plus logique; e) clarification de l'exigence relative aux chocs; f) ajout d'exigences de cybersécurité pour les systèmes d'automatisation et de commande industrielles; g) ajout d'une exigence d'écoconception; h) ajout d'une référence au dictionnaire de données commun; i) ajout de termes et définitions relatifs aux types de relais; j) ajout des relais de couplage dans le titre; k) ajout des relais de couplage dans le domaine d'application.

Časovni in spojni releji za uporabo v industriji in bivališčih - 1. del: Zahteve in preskusi

Ta del standarda IEC 61812 se uporablja za časovne in spojne releje za uporabo v industriji (npr. krmilna, avtomatizacijska, signalna in industrijska oprema) ter za avtomatske električne krmilne naprave za uporabo v ali na opremi za stanovanjsko in podobno uporabo oziroma v povezavi z njo.
Izraz »rele«, ki se uporablja v tem dokumentu, zajema vse vrste časovnih in sklopnih relejev, razen merilnih relejev.
OPOMBA 1: Časovne in spojne releje je mogoče uporabljati v industriji (npr. krmilna, avtomatizacijska, signalna in industrijska oprema) ter za avtomatske električne krmilne naprave za uporabo v ali na opremi za stanovanjsko in podobno uporabo oziroma v povezavi z njo.
OPOMBA 2: Merilni releji so obravnavani v standardu IEC TC95.
V tem dokumentu sta opredeljena tipski in rutinski preskus za potrjevanje stanja delovanja. Podtočka 3.2 vsebuje definicije za različne vrste časovnih relejev, ki se uporabljajo v skupini standardov IEC 61812.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Nov-2024
• ICS: 29.120.70 - Relays
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 94 - All-or-nothing electrical relays
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 94 - IEC_TC_94
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 22-Nov-2024
• Completion Date: 22-Nov-2024
• Directive: 2014/30/EU - Directive 2014/30/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 electromagnetic compatibility (recast)
• 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
• Mandate: M/511 - Mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI relating to harmonised standards in the field of the Low Voltage Directive
• Mandate: M/552 - [C(2016) 7641 final] Standardisation request as regards harmonised standards in support of Directive 2014/30/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 electromagnetic compatibility
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61812-1:2025 - Time relays and coupling relays for industrial and residential use - Part 1: Requirements and tests

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61812-1:2011 - Time relays for industrial and residential use - Part 1: Requirements and tests
• Effective Date: 03-Mar-2020

Overview

EN IEC 61812-1:2024 (IEC 61812-1:2023) specifies requirements and test procedures for time relays and coupling relays intended for industrial and residential use. Adopted by CLC/CENELEC in November 2024, this Part 1 document defines classification, rated values, environmental and electrical influence quantities, and the type tests and routine tests manufacturers and test laboratories must perform to confirm service conditions. The scope covers relays with specified time functions and coupling relays, excluding measuring relays, for control, automation, signalling and automatic electrical controls in equipment for residential and similar use.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: clear terminology for time-relay types, switching elements, mounting and connection options.
• Classification: mechanical construction, device mounting, output type (electromechanical or solid‑state), and environmental classes.
• Rated values and influence quantities: input voltage/frequency, release voltage, power consumption, ambient and storage temperature, humidity, pollution degree and altitude.
• Timing performance: setting accuracy, repeatability, recovery time and minimum control impulse for timing circuits.
• Output requirements: endurance, operating frequency, conditional short‑circuit current for outputs (mechanical and solid‑state).
• Environmental and mechanical tests: heating, vibration, shock, humidity and thermal tests referenced to IEC 60068 series.
• Electrical safety and immunity: dielectric strength, impulse withstand, insulation coordination (IEC 60664 series) and EMC immunity tests per IEC 61000 series.
• Heating and terminal tests: terminal heating, accessible part heating, ball pressure (glow/wire) and other abnormal heat tests.
• Testing framework: detailed provisions for type tests, routine tests, and sampling tests to ensure production conformity.
• Documentation and marking: required data, labelling and user information for safe selection and installation.

Applications and who uses it

• Manufacturers of time relays and coupling relays - for product design, type approval and production testing.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform standardized type and routine tests.
• Specifiers and design engineers - to select relays meeting environmental, electrical and timing requirements for automation, control panels, HVAC, building automation and residential control equipment.
• Compliance and quality teams - to demonstrate conformity with European and international relay safety and performance expectations.

Related standards

Normative and referenced standards include IEC 60068 (environmental testing), IEC 61000 (EMC), IEC 60664 (insulation coordination), IEC 61810 (elementary relays) and other IEC/CENELEC standards cited in the bibliography for complementary test methods.

Keywords: EN IEC 61812-1, time relays, coupling relays, requirements and tests, relay standard, type test, routine test, industrial automation, residential controls, IEC 61812.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2025
Časovni in spojni releji za uporabo v industriji in bivališčih - 1. del: Zahteve in
preskusi
Time relays and coupling relays for industrial and residential use - Part 1: Requirements
and tests
Zeitrelais (Relais mit festgelegtem Zeitverhalten) für industrielle Anwendungen und für
den Hausgebrauch - Teil 1: Anforderungen und Prüfungen
Relais à temps spécifié pour applications industrielles et résidentielles - Partie 1:
Exigences et essais
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61812-1:2024
ICS:
29.120.70 Releji Relays
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61812-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2024
ICS 29.120.70 Supersedes EN 61812-1:2011
English Version
Time relays and coupling relays for industrial and residential use
- Part 1: Requirements and tests
(IEC 61812-1:2023)
Relais temporisés et relais de de couplage pour Zeitrelais und Koppelrelais für industrielle Anwendungen
applications industrielles et résidentielles - Partie 1: und in der Gebäudeinstallation Teil 1: Anforderungen und
Exigences et essais Prüfungen
(IEC 61812-1:2023) (IEC 61812-1:2023)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2024-10-16. 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,
Türkiye 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
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61812-1:2024 E

European foreword
The text of document 94/843/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 61812-1, prepared by TC 94 "Electrical
relays" 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) 2025-11-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2027-11-30
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61812-1:2011 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.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61812-1:2023 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 standard indicated:
IEC 60060-1:2010 NOTE Approved as EN 60060-1:2010 (not modified)
IEC 60068-2-78:2001 NOTE Approved as EN 60068-2-78:2001 (not modified)
IEC 60715:2017 NOTE Approved as EN 60715:2017 (not modified)
IEC 60947-1:2020 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60947-1:2021 (not modified)
IEC 61180:2016 NOTE Approved as EN 61180:2016 (not modified)
IEC 61508 series NOTE Approved as EN 61508 series
IEC 61810 series NOTE Approved as EN 61810 series
IEC 62430 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 62430
IEC 62443-4-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 62443-4-2
IEC 62474 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 62474
IEC/TR 63201 NOTE Approved as CLC IEC/TR 63201
ISO 14121-1 NOTE Approved as EN ISO 14121-1
ISO 14971 NOTE Approved as EN ISO 14971
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.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-444 2002 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 444: Elementary relays
IEC 60050-445 2010 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 445: Time relays
IEC 60068-2-2 2007 Environmental testing - Part 2-2: Tests - EN 60068-2-2 2007
Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-6 2007 Environmental testing - Part 2-6: Tests - EN 60068-2-6 2008
Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-27 2008 Environmental testing - Part 2-27: Tests - EN 60068-2-27 2009
Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60085 2007 Electrical insulation - Thermal evaluation EN 60085 2008
and designation
IEC 60112 2020 Method for the determination of the proof EN IEC 60112 2020
and the comparative tracking indices of
solid insulating materials
IEC 60529 1989 Degrees of protection provided by EN 60529 1991
enclosures (IP Code)
- - + corrigendum May 1993
+ A1 1999 + A1 2000
+ A2 2013 + A2 2013
IEC 60664-1 2020 Insulation coordination for equipment EN IEC 60664-1 2020
within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60664-3 2016 Insulation coordination for equipment EN 60664-3 2017
within low-voltage systems - Part 3: Use of
coating, potting or moulding for protection
against pollution
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60664-4 2005 Insulation coordination for equipment EN 60664-4 2006
within low-voltage systems - Part 4:
Consideration of high-frequency voltage
stress
- - + corrigendum Oct. 2006
IEC 60695-2-11 2021 Fire hazard testing - Part 2-11: EN IEC 60695-2-11 2021
Glowing/hot-wire based test methods -
Glow-wire flammability test method for end
products (GWEPT)
IEC 60695-10-2 2014 Fire hazard testing - Part 10-2: Abnormal EN 60695-10-2 2014
heat - Ball pressure test method
IEC 60947-5-1 2016 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - EN 60947-5-1 2017
Part 5-1: Control circuit devices and
switching elements - Electromechanical
control circuit devices
IEC 60947-5-4 2002 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - EN 60947-5-4 2003
Part 5-4: Control circuit devices and
switching elements - Method of assessing
the performance of low-energy contacts -
Special tests
+ A1 2019 + A1 2019
IEC 60999-1 1999 Connecting devices - Electrical copper EN 60999-1 2000
conductors - Safety requirements for
screw-type and screwless-type clamping
units - Part 1: General requirements and
particular requirements for clamping units
for conductors from 0,2 mm2 up to 35 mm2
(included)
IEC 61000-4-2 2008 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-2 2009
4-2: Testing and measurement techniques
- Electrostatic discharge immunity test
IEC 61000-4-3 2020 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-4-3 2020
4-3 : Testing and measurement techniques
- Radiated, radio-frequency,
electromagnetic field immunity test
IEC 61000-4-4 2012 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-4 2012
4-4: Testing and measurement techniques
- Electrical fast transient/burst immunity
test
IEC 61000-4-5 2014 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-5 2014
4-5: Testing and measurement techniques
- Surge immunity test
+ A1 2017 + A1 2017
IEC 61000-4-6 2013 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-6 2014
4-6: Testing and measurement techniques
- Immunity to conducted disturbances,
induced by radio-frequency fields
IEC 61000-4-8 2009 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-8 2010
4-8: Testing and measurement techniques
- Power frequency magnetic field immunity
test
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 61000-4-11 2020 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-4-11 2020
4-11: Testing and measurement
techniques - Voltage dips, short
interruptions and voltage variations
immunity tests for equipment with input
current up to 16 A per phase
IEC 61000-4-34 2005 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-34 2007
4-34: Testing and measurement
techniques - Voltage dips, short
interruptions and voltage variations
immunity tests for equipment with input
current more than 16 A per phase
+ A1 2009 + A1 2009
IEC 61210 (mod) 2010 Connecting devices - Flat quick-connect EN 61210 2010
terminations for electrical copper
conductors - Safety requirements
IEC 61810-1 2015 Electromechanical elementary relays - Part EN 61810-1 2015
1: General and safety requirements
+ A1 2019 + A1 2020
IEC 61984 2008 Connectors - Safety requirements and EN 61984 2009
tests
IEC 62314 2022 Solid-state relays - Safety requirements EN IEC 62314 2024
CISPR 11 (mod) 2015 Industrial, scientific and medical equipment EN 55011 2016
- Radio-frequency disturbance
characteristics - Limits and methods of
measurement
+ A1 2016 + A1 2017
- - + A11 2020
+ A2 2019 + A2 2021
ISO 9223 2012 Corrosion of metals and alloys - Corrosivity EN ISO 9223 2012
of atmospheres - Classification,
determination and estimatio
IEC 61812-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Time relays and coupling relays for industrial and residential use –

Part 1: Requirements and tests

Relais temporisés et relais de couplage pour applications industrielles et

résidentielles –
Partie 1: Exigences et essais
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.70 ISBN 978-2-8322-7072-1

– 2 – IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 10
3.1 Terms and definitions related to general terms . 10
3.2 Terms and definitions of time relay types . 15
4 Classification . 22
4.1 Switching element . 22
4.2 Mechanical construction . 22
4.3 Device mounting . 22
4.4 Connection . 22
4.5 Environment . 22
5 Influence quantities . 22
6 Rated values . 23
6.1 General . 23
6.2 Input voltage and frequency . 23
6.3 Release voltage . 24
6.4 Power consumption . 24
6.5 Output circuit . 24
6.5.1 General . 24
6.5.2 Electromechanical output circuit . 24
6.5.3 Solid state output circuit . 25
6.5.4 Endurance and operating frequency . 25
6.5.5 Conditional short-circuit current . 26
6.6 Ambient temperature. 26
6.7 Transport and storage temperature . 26
6.8 Humidity . 26
6.9 Pollution degree . 26
6.10 Altitude . 26
6.11 Timing circuit function . 26
6.11.1 General . 26
6.11.2 Setting accuracy . 27
6.11.3 Repeatability . 27
6.11.4 Recovery time and minimum control impulse . 27
7 Provisions for testing . 27
7.1 General . 27
7.2 Type test . 27
7.3 Routine test . 28
7.4 Sampling test . 29
8 Documentation and marking . 29
8.1 Data . 29
8.2 Marking . 32
9 Heating . 32
9.1 General . 32
9.2 Test conditions . 33
9.3 Heating of terminals . 33

IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
9.3.1 General . 33
9.3.2 Heating of screw terminals and screwless terminals . 33
9.3.3 Heating of quick-connect terminations . 34
9.3.4 Heating of sockets . 34
9.3.5 Heating of alternative termination types . 35
9.4 Heating of accessible parts . 35
9.5 Ball pressure test . 35
10 Basic operating function . 36
10.1 General . 36
10.2 Operate . 36
10.3 Release . 36
10.4 Time function . 36
10.4.1 General . 36
10.4.2 Functional test at reference values of input quantities. 36
10.4.3 Effect of influence of voltage and temperature . 37
11 Dielectric strength and impulse withstand . 37
11.1 General . 37
11.2 Preconditioning . 37
11.3 Insulation test . 38
11.3.1 General . 38
11.3.2 Impulse withstand test . 38
11.3.3 Dielectric AC power frequency voltage test . 39
12 Electrical endurance . 40
12.1 General . 40
12.2 Resistive loads, inductive loads, and special loads . 40
12.3 Low energy loads . 40
13 Conditional short-circuit current of an output circuit . 41
13.1 General . 41
13.2 Test procedure . 41
13.3 Test circuit electromechanical output circuit . 41
13.4 Test circuit solid state output circuit . 42
13.5 Condition of switching element after test . 42
14 Insulation coordination and protection against electric shock . 43
14.1 General . 43
14.2 Clearances and creepage distances . 43
14.2.1 General . 43
14.2.2 Clearances . 44
14.2.3 Creepage distances . 44
14.3 Solid insulation . 45
14.4 Protection against direct contact . 46
15 Mechanical strength . 46
15.1 General . 46
15.2 Mechanical strength of terminals and current-carrying parts . 46
15.2.1 General . 46
15.2.2 Mechanical strength of screw terminals and screwless terminals . 46
15.2.3 Mechanical strength of flat quick-connect terminations . 46
15.2.4 Mechanical strength of sockets . 47
15.2.5 Mechanical strength of alternative termination types . 47

– 4 – IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023
16 Heat and fire resistance . 47
16.1 General . 47
16.2 Glow-wire test . 47
17 Vibration and shock . 48
17.1 Vibration . 48
17.2 Shock . 48
18 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 49
18.1 General . 49
18.2 Immunity . 49
18.3 Radiated and conducted emission . 49
19 Cybersecurity for industrial automation and control systems (IACS). 50
20 Environmental information . 50
20.1 Environmentally conscious design process . 50
20.2 Procedure to establish material declaration . 50
Annex A (informative) Setting accuracy, repeatability and effect of influence
calculation . 51
A.1 General . 51
A.2 Example of calculation . 51
Annex B (informative) Risk assessment . 52
B.1 General . 52
B.2 Risk assessment procedure . 52
B.3 Achieving tolerable risk . 53
B.4 Application of risk assessment procedures (proposal for the user) . 57
Annex C (normative) Tests for EMC . 58
C.1 General . 58
C.2 EMC immunity. 58
C.2.1 General . 58
C.2.2 Performance criteria . 58
C.3 EMC radiated and conducted emission . 62
C.3.1 General . 62
C.3.2 Conducted radio-frequency emission tests . 62
C.3.3 Radiated radio-frequency emission tests . 62
Bibliography . 63

Figure 1 – Definition of ports . 13
Figure 2 – Power ON-delay relay . 15
Figure 3 – Power OFF-delay relay . 15
Figure 4 – OFF-delay relay with control signal . 16
Figure 5 – ON- and OFF-delay relay with control signal . 16
Figure 6 – Flasher relay . 17
Figure 7 – Star-delta relay . 18
Figure 8 – Summation time relay . 18
Figure 9 – Pulse delayed relay . 19
Figure 10 – Pulse delayed relay with control signal . 19
Figure 11 – Interval relay . 20
Figure 12 – Interval relay with control signal . 20

IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
Figure 13 – Retriggerable interval relay with control signal ON . 21
Figure 14 – Retriggerable interval relay with control signal OFF. 21
Figure 15 – Maintained time relay . 22
Figure 16 – Test circuit electromechanical output, conditional short-circuit current . 42
Figure 17 – Test circuit solid state output, conditional short-circuit current . 42
Figure B.1 – Iterative process of risk assessment and risk reduction . 53
Figure B.2 – Risk reduction . 55
Figure B.3 – Example of the time relay circuit block diagram. 56

Table 1 – Influence quantities and reference values . 23
Table 2 – Preferred values of endurance . 25
Table 3 – Preferred values of maximum permissible operating frequency . 25
Table 4 – Recommended final values of the setting range. 27
Table 5 – Type testing . 28
Table 6 – Routine testing . 29
Table 7 – Required time relay or coupling relay information . 29
Table 8 – Thermal classification . 32
Table 9 – Cross-sectional areas and lengths of conductors dependent on the current
carried by the terminal . 34
Table 10 – Maximum steady state current dependent on the connector size . 34
Table 11 – Temperature rise limits of accessible parts . 35
Table 12 – Changing of influencing quantities . 37
Table 13 – Impulse test for basic insulation . 39
Table 14 – Dielectric test voltage for basic insulation for devices suitable for use in
single-phase three- or two-wire AC and DC systems . 39
Table 15 – Dielectric test voltage for basic insulation for devices suitable for use in
three-phase four or three-wire AC systems . 40
Table 16 – Minimum clearances for basic insulation. 44
Table 17 – Minimum clearances in controlled overvoltage conditions . 44
Table 18 – Minimum creepage distances for basic insulation . 45
Table A.1 – Calculation formulae . 51
Table B.1 – Examples of the relation between failure mode, consequences and hazard . 56
Table B.2 – Severity of harm . 57
Table B.3 – Probability of harm . 57
Table B.4 – Risk category . 57
Table C.1 – Environmental conditions influencing EMC . 58
Table C.2 – Immunity tests for industrial environments . 60
Table C.3 – Immunity tests for residential, commercial and light-industrial
environments . 61
Table C.4 – Terminal disturbance voltage limits for conducted radio-frequency
emission (for power port) . 62
Table C.5 – Radiated emission test limits. 62

– 6 – IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TIME RELAYS AND COUPLING RELAYS FOR
INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USE –

Part 1: Requirements and tests

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.
IEC 61812-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 94: Electrical relays. It is an
International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) update of references;
b) addition of requirements for risk assessment;
c) addition of requirements for routine test;
d) renumbering of clauses to bring them into a more logical order;
e) clarification of the requirement for shock;
f) addition of cybersecurity requirements for industrial automation and control systems;

IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
g) addition of environmentally conscious design requirement;
h) addition of common data dictionary reference;
i) addition of terms and definitions of relay types;
j) addition of coupling relays in title;
k) addition of coupling relays in scope.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
94/843/FDIS 94/889/RVD
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 www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61812 series can be found, under the general title Time relays and
coupling relays for industrial and residential use, on the IEC website.
Future documents in this series will carry the new general title as cited above. Titles of existing
documents in this series will be updated at the time of the next edition.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under 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 document 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 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023
TIME RELAYS AND COUPLING RELAYS FOR
INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USE –

Part 1: Requirements and tests

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61812 applies to time relays and coupling relays for industrial applications (for
example control, automation, signal and industrial equipment) and for automatic electrical
controls for use in, on, or in association with equipment for residential and similar use.
The term “relay” as used in this document comprises all types of time relays and coupling relays,
other than measuring relays.
NOTE 1 Time relays and coupling relays can be used for industrial application (for example control, automation,
signal and industrial equipment) and for automatic electrical controls for use in, on, or in association with equipment
for residential and similar use.”
NOTE 2 Measuring relays are handled by the IEC TC95.
This document defines type test and routine test to confirm the service condition. Subclause
3.2 provides definitions for different types of time relays in use in the IEC 61812 series.
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 60050-444:2002, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 444: Elementary
relays
IEC 60050-445:2010, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 445: Time relays
IEC 60068-2-2:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-6:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-27:2008, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests – Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60085:2007, Electrical insulation – Thermal evaluation and designation
IEC 60112:2020, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices
of solid insulating materials
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60529:1989/AMD1:1999
IEC 60529:1989/AMD2:2013
IEC 60664-1:2020, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests

IEC 61812-1:2023 © IEC 2023 – 9 –
IEC 60664-3:2016, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 3:
Use of coating, potting or moulding for protection against pollution
IEC 60664-4:2005, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 4:
Consideration of high-frequency voltage stress
IEC 60695-2-11:2021, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –
Glow-wire flammability test method for end products (GWEPT)
IEC 60695-10-2:2014, Fire hazard testing – Part 10-2: Abnormal heat – Ball pressure test
method
IEC 60947-5-1:2016, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-1: Control circuit devices
and switching elements – Electromechanical control circuit devices
IEC 60947-5-4:2002, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-4: Control circuit devices
and switching elements – Method of assessing the performance of low-energy contacts –
Special tests
IEC 60947-5-4:2002/AMD1:2019
IEC 60999-1:1999, Connecting devices – Electrical copper conductors – Safety requirements
for screw-type and screwless-type clamping units – Part 1: General requirements and particular
2 2
requirements for clamping units for conductors from 0,2 mm up to 35 mm (included)
IEC 61000-4-2:2008, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-2: Testing and
measurement techniques – Electrostatic discharge immunity test
IEC 61000-4-3:2020, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-3: Testing and
measurement techniques – Radiated, radio-frequency, electromagnetic field immunity test
IEC 61000-4-4:2012, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-4: Testing and
measurement techniques – Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test
IEC 61000-4-5:2014, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-5: Testing and
measurement techniques – Surge immunity test
IEC 61000-4-5:2014/AMD1:2017
IEC 61000-4-6:2013, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – P
...