EN 61984:2009

Connectors - Safety requirements and tests

IEC 61984:2008 applies to connectors with rated voltages above 50 V and up to 1000 V a.c. and d.c. and rated currents up to 125 A per contact, for which either no detail specification exists or the detail specification calls up this standard for safety aspects. Changes with respect to the previous edition include: addition of new definitions, of new clauses, tables and annexes for clarification, improvement and better readability.

Steckverbinder - Sicherheitsanforderungen und Prüfungen

Connecteurs - Exigences de sécurité et essais

La CEI 61984:2008 s'applique aux connecteurs de tensions assignées comprises entre 50 V et 1 000 V en courant alternatif et en courant continu et de courants assignés jusqu'à 125 A par contact, pour lesquels soit il n'existe pas de spécification particulière, soit la spécification particulière fait appel aux aspects de sécurité. Les modifications par rapport à l'édition précédente incluent: ajout de nouvelles définitions, de nouveaux paragraphes, tableaux et annexes pour clarification, amélioration et une meilleure compréhension.

Konektorji - Varnostne zahteve in preskusi (IEC 61984:2008)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Jun-2009
• Withdrawal Date: 31-May-2012
• ICS: 31.220.10 - Plug-and-socket devices. Connectors
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 48B - Connectors
• Drafting Committee: IEC/SC 48B - IEC_SC_48B
• Parallel Committee: IEC/SC 48B - IEC_SC_48B
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 26-Jun-2009
• Completion Date: 26-Jun-2009
• Directive: 2006/95/EC - Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version)
• Directive: 2014/35/EU - Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Directive: 2014/53/EU - Directive 2014/53/EU of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC
• Ref Project: SIST EN 61984:2009 - Connectors - Safety requirements and tests (IEC 61984:2008)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61984:2001 - Connectors - Safety requirements and tests
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 61984:2009 (equivalent to IEC 61984:2008) specifies safety requirements and tests for electrical connectors. Its scope covers connectors with rated voltages above 50 V and up to 1000 V (AC and DC) and rated currents up to 125 A per contact, and it is intended for cases where no detailed product specification exists or where that specification calls up this standard for safety aspects. EN 61984:2009 incorporates updated definitions, new clauses, tables and annexes to clarify requirements and improve readability.

Key topics and requirements

EN 61984:2009 addresses both constructional requirements and verification tests. Major technical topics include:

• Classification of connectors by protection against electric shock, style and additional characteristics.
• Protection against electric shock, including non‑accessibility of live parts and protection during insertion/withdrawal.
• Earthing/PE provisions, such as requirements for first‑make/last‑break protective earth contacts and reliability of PE connections.
• Terminations and connection methods, conductor cross‑section ranges and design of clamping units.
• Mechanical requirements: robustness, retention of contacts, interlock/polarisation and resistance to ageing.
• Thermal performance: temperature limits and temperature‑rise tests for current‑carrying parts.
• Insulation and clearance/creepage requirements, referencing insulation coordination principles.
• Cable clamp performance and test values (with alignment to EN 50262 for metric cable glands).
• Durability and functional tests: mechanical and electrical endurance, bending/flexing tests and other standardized tests.
• Marking and identification requirements for safe use and correct mating.

The standard also contains normative references and test procedures aligned with established IEC/EN documents (see Related Standards).

Applications and who uses it

EN 61984:2009 is used by:

• Connector manufacturers developing safety‑compliant products for industrial, commercial and specialized equipment.
• Design engineers and OEMs specifying connectors for equipment rated >50 V up to 1000 V.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing safety and compliance testing.
• Standards and compliance teams who need a harmonized basis for assessing insulation coordination, mechanical endurance and earth connections. It is particularly valuable when no product‑specific connector standard exists or when a detail specification explicitly refers to EN 61984 for safety aspects.

Related standards

EN 61984 references and aligns with many IEC/EN documents, for example:

• EN 60512 (connectors - tests and measurements)
• EN 60664‑1 / EN 60664‑5 (insulation coordination)
• EN 60228 (conductors of insulated cables)
• EN 60529 (IP code)
• EN 50262 (cable glands)
• EN 60352 series (solderless connections)

Keywords: EN 61984:2009, IEC 61984:2008, connectors, safety requirements, connector tests, insulation, earthing, cable clamp, mechanical endurance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2009
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 61984:2002
Konektorji - Varnostne zahteve in preskusi (IEC 61984:2008)
Connectors - Safety requirements and tests (IEC 61984:2008)
Steckverbinder - Sicherheitsanforderungen und Prüfungen (IEC 61984:2008)
Connecteurs - Exigences de sécurité et essais (CEI 61984:2008)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61984:2009
ICS:
31.220.10 9WLþLLQYWLþQLFHNRQHNWRUML Plug-and-socket devices.
Connectors
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 61984
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2009
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 31.220.10 Supersedes EN 61984:2001

English version
Connectors -
Safety requirements and tests
(IEC 61984:2008)
Connecteurs -  Steckverbinder -
Exigences de sécurité et essais Sicherheitsanforderungen und Prüfungen
(CEI 61984:2008) (IEC 61984:2008)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2009-06-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

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

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

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

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

Central Secretariat: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2009 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 61984:2009 E
Foreword
The text of document 48B/1927/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61984, prepared by SC 48B, Connectors, of
IEC TC 48, Electromechanical components and mechanical structures for electronic equipment, was
submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 61984 on
2009-06-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 61984:2001.
– addition in the scope of the statement that this standard may be used as a guide for connectors with
rated current higher than 125 A per pole;
– new definitions added and improvement of existing definitions;
– in Clause 5, the classification referred to protection against electric shock and that of connector for
class II equipment were added;
– in 6.4 (Protection against electric shock), it is clarified that all parts which are necessary to ensure
protection against electric shock shall only be removable by the aid of a tool;
– Table 2 and Table 3 are added for better readability and connecting methods updated to current status
of standardization;
– values for cable clamp testing in Table 6 are adopted according to EN 50262 and no tests are required
if metric cable glands according to this standard are used;
– tables in 6.19 are deleted and the text refers to EN 60664;
– Table 7 (Values for torque for screw-type clamping units) in 7.1.4 of EN 61984:2001 is deleted and the
text refers to the relevant standards;
– Subclause 7.3.7 of EN 61984:2001 is modified. In 7.3.8 of EN 61984:2009, the length of the
connecting cable and conductor loops are added. Test arrangements for temperature rise test for
two-part printed board connectors are fixed;
– Figure 2 (Device for bending test) transferred from 7.3.8 (Mechanical operation) of EN 61984:2001 to
7.3.10 (Bending (flexing) test) of EN 61984:2009;
– in Table 10 (Mechanical test group A) test phase A3, the severity or conditions for unenclosed and
enclosed connectors are specified;
– the informative Annex B (Additional information on connector classification) with its Tables B.1
(Scheme of connectors) and B.2 (Help for the classification of connectors) are added for better
readability of the standard.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2010-03-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2012-06-01
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
– 3 – EN 61984:2009
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61984:2008 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:
IEC 60068-2-20 + A2 NOTE  Harmonized as HD 323.2.20 S3:1988 (not modified).
IEC 60112 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60112:2003 (not modified).
IEC 60364-5-54 NOTE  Harmonized as HD 60364-5-54:2007 (modified).
IEC 60423 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60423:2007 (not modified).
IEC 60695-2-12 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60695-2-12:2001 (not modified).
IEC 60695-10-2 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60695-10-2:2003 (not modified).
IEC 60695-11-5 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60695-11-5:2005 (not modified).
IEC 60998-2-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60998-2-1:2002 (modified).
IEC 60998-2-2 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60998-2-2:2002 (modified).
__________
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

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

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

- - Cable glands for electrical installations EN 50262 1998
+ corr. October 1998
A1 2001
A2 2004
1)
IEC 60050-581 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - -
(IEV) -
Part 581: Electromechanical components for
electronic equipment
1)
IEC 60050-826 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - -
(IEV) -
Part 826: Electrical installations

1) 2)
IEC 60060-1 - High-voltage test techniques - HD 588.1 S1 1991
Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
1) 2)
IEC 60068-1 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-1 1994
Part 1: General and guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60068-2-70 - Environmental testing - EN 60068-2-70 1996
Part 2: Tests - Test Xb: Abrasion of markings
and letterings caused by rubbing of fingers
and hands
IEC 60228 2004 Conductors of insulated cables EN 60228 2005
+ corr. May 2005
IEC 60309-1 1999 Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for EN 60309-1 1999
A1 (mod) 2005 industrial purposes - A1 2007
Part 1: General requirements
1) 2)
IEC 60352-1 - Solderless connections - EN 60352-1 1997
Part 1: Wrapped connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60352-2 - Solderless connections - EN 60352-2 2006
Part 2: Crimped connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
IEC 60352-3 1993 Solderless connections - EN 60352-3 1994
Part 3: Solderless accessible insulation
displacement connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
1)
Undated reference.
2)
Valid edition at date of issue.

– 5 – EN 61984:2009
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60352-4 1994 Solderless connections - EN 60352-4 1994
Part 4: Solderless non-accessible insulation
displacement connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60352-5 - Solderless connections - EN 60352-5 2008
Part 5: Press-in connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60352-6 - Solderless connections - EN 60352-6 1997
Part 6: Insulation piercing connections -
General requirements, test methods and
practical guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60352-7 - Solderless connections - EN 60352-7 2002
Part 7: Spring clamp connections - General
requirements, test methods and practical
guidance
1) 2)
IEC 60364-4-41 - Low-voltage electrical installations - HD 60364-4-41 2007
(mod) Part 4-41: Protection for safety - Protection + corr. July 2007
against electric shock
IEC 60417 Data- Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
base
IEC 60512 Series Connectors for electronic equipment - Tests EN 60512 Series
and measurements
1) 2)
IEC 60512-1-100 - Connectors for electronic equipment - Tests EN 60512-1-100 2006
and measurements -
Part 1-100: General - Applicable publications

IEC 60529 1989 Degrees of protection provided by EN 60529 1991
enclosures (IP Code) + corr. May 1993
A1 1999 A1 2000
IEC 60664-1 2007 Insulation coordination for equipment within EN 60664-1 2007
low-voltage systems -
Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

IEC 60664-5 2007 Insulation coordination for equipment within EN 60664-5 2007
low-voltage systems -
Part 5: Comprehensive method for
determining clearances and creepage
distances equal to or less than 2 mm

1)
IEC 60760 - Flat, quick-connect terminations - -

IEC 60998-2-3 2002 Connecting devices for low-voltage circuits EN 60998-2-3 2004
(mod) for household and similar purposes -
Part 2-3: Particular requirements for
connecting devices as separate entities with
insulation-piercing clamping units

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)

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60999-2 2003 Connecting devices - Electrical copper EN 60999-2 2003
conductors - Safety requirements for
screw-type and screwless-type clamping
units -
Part 2: Particular requirements for clamping
units for conductors above 35 mm² up to
300 mm² (included)
1) 2)
IEC 61032 - Protection of persons and equipment by EN 61032 1998
enclosures - Probes for verification

1) 2)
IEC 61140 - Protection against electric shock - Common EN 61140 2002
aspects for installation and equipment

1) 2)
IEC 61210 - Connecting devices - Flat quick-connect EN 61210 1995
(mod) terminations for electrical copper conductors -
Safety requirements
ISO 6988 1985 Metallic and other non-organic coatings - EN ISO 6988 1994
Sulfur dioxide test with general condensation
of moisture
IEC 61984
Edition 2.0 2008-10
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Connectors – Safety requirements and tests

Connecteurs – Exigences de sécurité et essais

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
X
CODE PRIX
ICS 31.220.10 ISBN 2-8318-1001-8
– 2 – 61984 © IEC:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references .7
3 Terms and definitions .9
4 Technical information (electrical ratings) .14
5 Classification.14
5.1 General .14
5.2 Classification according to protection against electric shock.14
5.3 Classification according to the style of connector .14
5.4 Classification according to additional characteristics of connectors .14
6 Constructional requirements and performance.15
6.1 General .15
6.2 Marking and identification.15
6.2.1 Identification.15
6.2.2 Marking .15
6.2.3 Marking of position for contacts .16
6.3 Provision against incorrect mating (non-intermateable) .16
6.4 Protection against electric shock .17
6.4.1 Non accessibility of live parts .17
6.4.2 Non applicability of protection requirement to unenclosed connectors.17
6.4.3 Protection against electric shock during insertion and withdrawal .17
6.5 Provisions for earthing .17
6.5.1 First make, last break PE contact .17
6.5.2 PE contacts on connector for class II equipment.17
6.5.3 Reliability of connection to PE contacts .18
6.5.4 Connection of the protective conductor.18
6.6 Terminations and connection methods.18
6.6.1 General .18
6.6.2 Type and range of conductor cross-sectional areas .20
6.6.3 Design of electrical connections .20
6.7 Interlock .20
6.8 Resistance to ageing.20
6.9 General design.20
6.9.1 Polarisation .20
6.9.2 Fixing of live parts .20
6.9.3 Connection of conductors .20
6.9.4 Design of non rewirable connectors .20
6.10 Design of a CBC.21
6.11 Design of a free connector .21
6.12 Degree of protection (IP Code).21
6.13 Dielectric strength .21
6.14 Mechanical and electrical durability .21
6.14.1 Mechanical endurance (COC and CBC) .21
6.14.2 Electrical endurance (CBC) .21
6.14.3 Bendings (non-rewirable connectors).21
6.15 Temperature limits .22

61984 © IEC:2008 – 3 –
6.16 Temperature rise.23
6.17 Cable clamp .23
6.18 Mechanical strength .23
6.18.1 Robustness of connectors .23
6.18.2 Retention of contacts.23
6.18.3 Integrity of internal insulation.24
6.19 Clearances and creepage distances .24
6.19.1 Clearances .24
6.19.2 Creepage distances.24
6.20 Insulation .25
6.20.1 Functional and basic insulation.25
6.20.2 Supplementary insulation .25
6.20.3 Double insulation.25
6.20.4 Reinforced insulation .25
6.21 Protection against corrosion .25
7 Tests .26
7.1 General .26
7.1.1 Test sequence and number of specimens .26
7.1.2 Specimens condition.26
7.1.3 Atmospheric conditions.26
7.1.4 Number of specimens for tests on terminations .26
7.1.5 Failure criteria .26
7.1.6 Visual examination tests.26
7.2 Preparation of specimens .26
7.2.1 Pre-conditioning .26
7.2.2 Conductors.26
7.2.3 Torque for screw-type clamping units .27
7.2.4 Assembly conditions .27
7.3 Performance of tests .27
7.3.1 General .27
7.3.2 Durability of marking.27
7.3.3 “First make, last break” protective earthing contact.27
7.3.4 Interlock .27
7.3.5 Breaking capacity of a CBC .27
7.3.6 Protection against electric shock .28
7.3.7 Protection against solid foreign objects and against ingress of water.28
7.3.8 Temperature rise .29
7.3.9 Mechanical operation .31
7.3.10 Bending (flexing) test.31
7.3.11 Measurement of clearances and creepage distances .33
7.3.12 Dielectric strength .33
7.3.13 Resistance between accessible metal parts and the protective
earthing contact.34
7.3.14 Corrosion test.34
7.4 In-process test schedule (routine test) for non-rewirable free connectors .34
7.4.1 General .34
7.4.2 Impulse withstand voltage test.34
7.4.3 Continuity of PE path test .34
7.4.4 AC power-frequency voltage withstand test .34

– 4 – 61984 © IEC:2008
7.5 Test schedule.35
Annex A (informative) Information to be specified in the detail specification, if any, or
manufacturer’s specification .41
Annex B (informative) Additional information on connector classification.43
Bibliography.45

Figure 1a – Test arrangement for temperature rise test of two-part connectors .30
Figure 1b – Test arrangement for temperature rise test of two-part connectors on
printed circuit boards .30
Figure 1c – Test arrangement for temperature rise test of edge-socket connectors.31
Figure 1 – Test arrangements for temperature rise tests .31
Figure 2 – Device for the bending test .32

Table 1 – Minimum cross-sectional area of the protective conductor or the connection
to inactive accessible metal parts .18
Table 2 – Compliant termination and connection methods.19
Table 3 – Tests on connections and terminations.19
Table 4 – Mechanical and electrical durability.22
Table 4a – Operating cycles – Preferred values .22
Table 4b – Bendings –Preferred values .22
Table 5 – Temperature limits .22
Table 5a – Lower limiting temperature (LLT) – Preferred values .22
Table 5b – Upper limiting temperature (ULT) – Preferred values .22
Table 6 – Values for cable clamp testing.23
Table 7 – Length of the connecting cable and conductor loops .29
Table 8 – Test voltages.33
Table 9 – Plan of specimens required for tests.35
Table 10 – Mechanical test group A .35
Table 11 – Service life test group B .37
Table 12 – Thermal test group C.38
Table 13 – Climatic test group D .39
Table 14 – Degree of protection, test group E.40
Table B.1 – Scheme of connectors.43
Table B.2 – Help for the classification of connectors .44

61984 © IEC:2008 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
CONNECTORS –
SAFETY 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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61984 has been prepared by subcommittee 48B: Connectors, of
IEC technical committee 48: Electromechanical components and mechanical structures for
electronic equipment.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
48B/1927/FDIS 48B/1947/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.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2001. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.

– 6 – 61984 © IEC:2008
This edition included the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
1) Addition in the scope of the statement that this standard may be used as a guide for
connectors with rated current higher than 125 A per pole.
2) New definitions added and improvement of existing definitions.
3) In Clause 5, the classification referred to protection against electric shock and that of
connector for class II equipment were added.
4) In 6.4 (Protection against electric shock), it is clarified that all parts which are necessary
to ensure protection against electric shock shall only be removable by the aid of a tool.
5) Table 2 and Table 3 are added for better readability and connecting methods updated to
current status of standardisation.
6) Values for cable clamp testing in Table 6 are adopted according to EN 50262 and no
tests are required if metric cable glands according to this standard are used.
7) Tables in 6.19 are deleted and the text refers to IEC 60664.
8) Table 7 (Values for torque for screw-type clamping units) in 7.1.4 of the 2001 edition is
deleted and the text refers to the relevant standards.
9) Subclause 7.3.7 of the 2001 edition is modified. Length of the connecting cable and
conductor loops are added. Test arrangements for temperature rise test for two-part
printed board connectors are fixed.
10) Figure 2 (Device for bending test) transferred from 7.3.8 (Mechanical operation) of the
2001 edition to Clause 7.3.10 (Bending (flexing) test) of the present edition.
11) In Table 10 (Mechanical test group A) test phase A3, the severity or conditions for
unenclosed and enclosed connectors are specified.
12) The informative Annex B (Additional information on connector classification) with its
Tables B.1 (Scheme of connectors) and B.2 (Help for the classification of connectors)
are added for better readability of the standard.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
61984 © IEC:2008 – 7 –
CONNECTORS –
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND TESTS
1 Scope
This International Standard applies to connectors with rated voltages above 50 V and up to
1000 V a.c. and d.c. and rated currents up to 125 A per contact, for which either no detail
specification (DS) exists or the DS calls up this standard for safety aspects.
For connectors with rated voltage up to 50 V, this standard may be used as a guide. In this
case, reference is made to IEC 60664-1 for clearance and creepage distances.
This standard may also be used as a guide for connectors with rated current higher than
125 A per pole.
This standard does not apply to connectors in or on equipment where application specific
safety requirements for connectors exist.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-581, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 581:
Electromechanical components for electronic equipment
IEC 60050-826, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 826: Electrical
installations
IEC 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements
IEC 60068-1, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-70, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Xb: Abrasion of marking and
letterings caused by rubbing of fingers and hands
IEC 60228: 2004, Conductors of insulated cables
IEC 60309-1:1999, Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes – Part 1:
General requirements
Amendment 1 (2005)
IEC 60352-1, Solderless connections – Part 1: Wrapped connections – General requirements,
test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60352-2, Solderless connections – Part 2: Crimped connections – General requirements,
test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60352-3:1993, Solderless connections – Part 3: Solderless accessible insulation
displacement connections – General requirements, test methods and practical guidance

– 8 – 61984 © IEC:2008
IEC 60352-4:1994, Solderless connections – Part 4: Solderless non-accessible insulation
displacement connections – General requirements, test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60352-5, Solderless connections – Part 5: Press-in connections – General requirements,
test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60352-6, Solderless connections – Part 6: Insulation piercing connections – General
requirements, test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60352-7, Solderless connections – Part 7: Spring-clamp connections – General
requirements, test methods and practical guidance
IEC 60364-4-41, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-41: Protection for safety –
Protection against electric shock
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 60512 (all parts), Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements
IEC 60512-1-100, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 1-100: General – Applicable publications
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
Amendment 1 (1999)
IEC 60664-1:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60664-5:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 5:
Comprehensive method for determining clearances and creepage distances equal to or less
than 2 mm
IEC 60760, Flat, quick-connect terminations
IEC 60998-2-3:2002, Connecting devices for low-voltage circuits for household and similar
purposes – Part 2-3: Particular requirements for connecting devices as separate entities with
insulation-piercing clamping units
IEC 60999-1:1999, Connecting devices – Electrical copper conductors – Safety requirements
for screw-type and screwless-type clamping units – Part 1: General requirements and
2 2
particular requirements for clamping units for conductors from 0,2 mm up to 35 mm
(included)
IEC 60999-2:2003, Connecting devices – Electrical copper conductors – Safety requirements
for screw-type and screwless-type clamping units – Part 2: Particular requirements for
conductors above 35 up to 300 mm
(included)
IEC 61032, Protection of persons and equipment by enclosures – Probes for verification
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
—————————
IEC 60512-1-100 gives the list of tests of the IEC 60512 series and the part of IEC 60512 corresponding to
each test.
61984 © IEC:2008 – 9 –
IEC 61210, Connecting devices – Flat quick-connect terminations for electrical copper
conductors – Safety requirements
ISO 6988:1985, Metallic and other non organic coatings – Sulfur dioxide test with general
condensation of moisture
EN 50262:1998, Cable glands for electrical installations
Amendment 1 (2001)
Amendment 2 (2004)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this International Standard, definitions from IEC 60050-581,
IEC 60050-826, IEC 60309-1, IEC 60664-1, IEC 60999-1 and IEC 61140, as well as the
following, apply.
3.1
connector
component which terminates conductors for the purpose of providing connection to and
disconnection from a suitable mating component
[IEV 581-06-01, modified]
3.2
free connector
connector for attachment to the free end of a wire or cable
[IEV 581-06-12]
3.3
fixed connector
connector for attachment to a rigid surface
[IEV 581-06-10]
3.4
rewirable connector
connector so constructed that the cable or wire can be replaced
3.5
non-rewirable connector
connector so constructed that the cable cannot be separated from the connector without
making it permanently useless
[IEC 60309-1, 2.5, modified]
3.6
enclosed connector
connector for which the protection against electric shock is ensured by the housing of the
connector itself
3.7
unenclosed connector
connector with no protection against electric shock
NOTE The protection against electric shock is provided by e.g. the enclosure of the equipment in which the
unenclosed connector is deemed to be mounted, in accordance with the applicable product safety standard.

– 10 – 61984 © IEC:2008
3.8
connector with breaking capacity
CBC
connector specially designed to be engaged or disengaged in normal use when live or under
load
NOTE 1 In this standard, the term “live” is used if contacts are under an applied voltage, but not necessarily
carrying current. The term “load” is used if a current is flowing through the contacts.
NOTE 2 In this standard, CBC is used only if requirements refer to connectors with a specified breaking capacity.
3.9
connector without breaking capacity
COC
connector which is not deemed to be engaged or disengaged in normal use when live or
under load
3.10
connector for class II equipment
connector in which the protection against indirect contact is realised by double or reinforced
insulation
NOTE Class II according to IEC 61140.
3.11
intended use
application conditions of connectors which are included within the permissible rated values
and environmental conditions and characteristics assigned by the detail specification (DS) or
the manufacturer
3.12
interlock
device, either electrical or mechanical, which prevents the contacts of a connector from
becoming live before it is in proper engagement with its counterpart, and which either
prevents the connector from being withdrawn while its contacts are live or makes the contacts
dead before separation
[IEC 60309-1, 2.9, modified]
3.13
cycle of mechanical operation
one insertion and one withdrawal of the connector with his counterpart
3.14
clamping unit
part(s) of the terminal necessary for the mechanical clamping and the electrical connection of
the conductor(s), including the parts which are necessary to ensure the correct contact
pressure
[IEC 60999-1, 3.1]
3.15
upper limiting temperature
ULT
maximum temperature in the connector as outcome (sum) of the ambient temperature and the
temperature rise due to current flow, at which the connector is intended to be still operable.
NOTE 1 At ambient temperature equal to ULT, the available temperature rise due to current flow is zero, thus the
current carrying capacity of the connector is zero.
NOTE 2 The ULT of a connector is covered by the climatic category as defined in IEC 60068-1, together with the
LLT and the duration of the damp heat test.

61984 © IEC:2008 – 11 –
3.16
lower limiting temperature
LLT
minimum temperature of a connector as defined by the climatic category assigned by the
manufacturer in which a connector is intended to operate
NOTE The LLT of a connector is covered by the climatic category as defined in IEC 60068-1, together with the
ULT and the duration of the damp heat test.
3.17
clearance
shortest distance in air between two conductive parts
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.2]
3.18
creepage distance
shortest distance along the surface of the insulating material between two conductive parts
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.3]
3.19
overvoltage category
numeral defining a transient overvoltage condition
NOTE Overvoltage categories I, II, III and IV are used.
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.10]
3.20
pollution
any addition of foreign matter, solid, liquid, or gaseous that can result in a reduction of
electric strength or surface resistivity of the insulation
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.11]
3.21
pollution degree
numeral characterizing the expected pollution of the micro-environment
NOTE Pollution degrees 1, 2, 3 and 4 are used.
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.13]
3.22
rated voltage
value of voltage assigned by the manufacturer to the connector and to which operation and
performance characteristics are referred
NOTE A connector may have more than one rated voltage value.
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.9, modified]
3.23
rated insulation voltage
r.m.s. withstand voltage value assigned by the manufacturer to the connector, characterising
the specified (long term) withstand capability of its insulation
NOTE The rated insulation voltage is not necessarily equal to the rated voltage, which is primarily related to
functional performance.
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.9.1, modified]

– 12 – 61984 © IEC:2008
3.24
rated impulse voltage
impulse withstand voltage value assigned by the manufacturer to the connector,
characterising the specified withstand capability of its insulation against transient
overvoltages
[IEC 60664-1:2007, 3.9.2, modified]
3.25
impulse withstand voltage
highest peak value of impulse voltage of prescribed for
...