EN IEC 60372:2020

Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator units - Dimensions and tests

IEC 60372:2020 is applicable to locking devices used with ball and socket couplings of string insulator units and used with the corresponding metal fittings standardized in IEC 60120, when they are supplied separately.The object of this document is - to define the shapes and some standard dimensions for locking devices, - to define the test methods for locking devices, - to state the acceptance conditions for supply, - to give other dimensions for guidance of manufacturing only. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 1984. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a. Two new designated size of couplings, 36 and 40, were introduced; b. the relevant content of the 28B W-clip was deleted; c. Annex A is informative, Annex B is normative, Annex C is informative.

Sicherungsvorrichtungen für Klöppel- und Pfannenverbindungen von Kettenisolatoren - Maße und Prüfungen

Dispositifs de verrouillage pour les assemblages à rotule et logement de rotule des éléments de chaînes d'isolateurs - Dimensions et essais

l’IEC 60372:2020 est applicable aux dispositifs de verrouillage utilisés avec les assemblages à rotule des éléments de chaînes d'isolateurs et utilisés avec les accessoires métalliques correspondants normalisés dans l’IEC 60120, lorsqu'ils sont livrés séparément. Le présent document a pour objet: - de définir les formes et certaines dimensions normalisées des dispositifs de verrouillage, - de définir les méthodes d'essai des dispositifs de verrouillage, - de fixer les conditions d'acceptation d'une fourniture, - de donner d'autres dimensions, uniquement à titre de recommandation pour la fabrication. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 1984. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a. Deux nouvelles tailles d’assemblages normalisées, 36 et 40, sont présentées; b. le contenu concernant l'agrafe 28B a été supprimé; c. L’Annexe A est informative, l’Annexe B est normative, l’Annexe C est informative.

Zaklepni mehanizmi za spojke z betičem in ponvico za člene izolatorskih verig - Dimenzije in preskusi (IEC 60372:2020)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Oct-2020
• ICS: 17.220.99 - Other standards related to electricity and magnetism
• ICS: 29.035.99 - Other insulating materials
• ICS: 29.080.10 - Insulators
• ICS: 29.240.20 - Power transmission and distribution lines
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 36 - Insulators for substations
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 36 - IEC_TC_36
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 09-Oct-2020
• Completion Date: 09-Oct-2020
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 60372:2020 - Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator units - Dimensions and tests (IEC 60372:2020)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60372:2004 - Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator units - Dimensions and tests
• Effective Date: 13-Oct-2020

Overview

EN IEC 60372:2020 (IEC 60372:2020) specifies the dimensions and test methods for locking devices used with ball-and-socket couplings of string insulator units. It applies when locking devices are supplied separately from the insulator or corresponding metal fittings (standardized in IEC 60120). The document defines shapes, some standard dimensions, test procedures, acceptance conditions for supply, and additional manufacturing guidance.

Key updates in the 2020 edition:

• Two new coupling sizes introduced: 36 and 40
• Relevant content for the 28B W‑clip was removed
• Annex A: informative; Annex B: normative; Annex C: informative

Key topics and technical requirements

• Shapes and standard dimensions
  • Covers the main forms of locking devices: split‑pins (standard and alternative types) and W‑clips
  • Provides dimensional tables and guidance figures; Annex B contains additional normative split‑pin dimensions
• Classification of tests
  • Distinguishes qualification tests, sample tests, and re‑test procedures
• Specific test methods
  • Hardness testing (references to recognized hardness standards)
  • Verification of resistance to bending (procedures and radii for bending verification)
  • Corrosion resistance testing
  • Visual examination and dimensional verification
  • Gauging for W‑clips (Annex A includes gauge details)
• Acceptance conditions
  • Defines sampling, sample sizes, acceptance numbers and conformity criteria for supply
• Documentation
  • When locking devices are supplied with insulators or fittings, tests may be included in the insulator test program (see IEC 60383‑1 and IEC 61325); certificates on request

Practical applications

• Ensures mechanical compatibility and reliable retention of locking devices in overhead line insulator assemblies
• Provides manufacturers with standardized dimensions and factory acceptance test procedures to reduce quality disputes
• Enables testing laboratories and procurement teams to verify conformity before installation
• Helps utilities and design engineers specify correct locking devices for safe string insulator unit assembly and maintenance

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers of insulators, metal fittings, and locking devices
• Test laboratories performing mechanical and corrosion testing
• Utilities, transmission line designers, and procurement professionals
• Certification bodies and conformity assessment organizations

Related standards

• IEC 60120 - metal fittings dimensions (referenced)
• IEC 60383‑1, IEC 61325 - insulator test requirements when devices are supplied as part of insulators
• ISO/EN hardness test standards (referenced for hardness verification)

EN IEC 60372:2020 is essential for ensuring standardized dimensions, reliable testing, and supply acceptance of locking devices for ball‑and‑socket couplings in overhead line insulator strings.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60372:2004
Zaklepni mehanizmi za spojke z betičem in ponvico za člene izolatorskih verig -
Dimenzije in preskusi (IEC 60372:2020)
Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator units - Dimensions and
tests (IEC 60372:2020)
Sicherungsvorrichtungen für Klöppel- und Pfannenverbindungen von Kettenisolatoren -
Maße und Prüfungen (IEC 60372:2020)
Dispositifs de verrouillage pour les assemblages à rotule et logement de rotule des
éléments de chaînes d'isolateurs - Dimensions et essais (IEC 60372:2020)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60372:2020
ICS:
29.080.10 Izolatorji Insulators
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60372

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2020
ICS 29.240.20; 29.080.10 Supersedes EN 60372:2004 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator
units - Dimensions and tests
(IEC 60372:2020)
Dispositifs de verrouillage pour les assemblages à rotule et Sicherungsvorrichtungen für Klöppel- und
logement de rotule des éléments de chaînes d'isolateurs - Pfannenverbindungen von Kettenisolatoren - Maße und
Dimensions et essais Prüfungen (IEC 60372:2020)
(IEC 60372:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-08-26. 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 60372:2020 E
European foreword
The text of document 36/485/FDIS, future edition 4 of IEC 60372, prepared by IEC/TC 36 "Insulators"
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) 2021-05-26
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-08-26
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60372:2004 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60372:2020 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:
Harmonized as EN IEC 60120:2020 (not modified)
IEC 60120:2020 NOTE
Harmonized as EN 61325:1995 (not modified)
IEC 61325:1995 NOTE
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 60050-471 -  International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 471: Insulators
ISO 6506-1 -  Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - EN ISO 6506-1 -
Part 1: Test method
ISO 6507-1 -  Metallic materials – Vickers Hardness – EN ISO 6507-1 -
Test Part 1: Test Method
ISO 6508-1 -  Metallic materials – Rockwell Hardness – EN ISO 6508-1 -
Test Part 1: Test Method
IEC 60372 ®
Edition 4.0 2020-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Locking devices for ball and socket couplings of string insulator units –

Dimensions and tests
Dispositifs de verrouillage pour les assemblages à rotule et logement de rotule

des éléments de chaînes d'isolateurs – Dimensions et essais

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.080.10; 29.240.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-8477-3

– 2 – IEC 60372:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Shapes and dimensions . 7
4.1 General . 7
4.2 Shapes of the locking devices . 7
4.2.1 Split-pin . 7
4.2.2 W-clip . 7
4.3 Dimensions of locking devices . 7
4.3.1 The split-pins (standard and alternative type) . 7
4.3.2 The W-clips . 8
5 Test . 9
5.1 Classification of tests . 9
5.2 Qualification tests . 10
5.2.1 Test items and the samples . 10
5.2.2 Hardness test . 10
5.2.3 Verification of resistance of bending . 10
5.2.4 Corrosion resistance test . 11
5.3 Sample tests and sampling . 12
5.3.1 Sample tests . 12
5.3.2 Sampling . 12
5.3.3 Visual examination . 13
5.3.4 Verification of dimensions . 13
5.3.5 Hardness test . 14
5.3.6 Verification of resistance to bending (for split-pins only) . 14
5.4 Re-test procedure . 14
Annex A (normative) Gauge for W-clips . 15
Annex B (normative) Other dimensions of split-pins . 17
Annex C (informative) Method of using the locking devices . 18
C.1 Overview. 18
C.2 Method of using the locking devices – Split-pin . 18
C.3 Method of using the locking devices – W-clip . 18
Bibliography . 19

Figure 1 – Shape of split-pins . 8
Figure 2 – Shape of W-clips . 9
Figure 3 – Arrangement of verification of resistance of bending . 11
Figure 4 – Verification of L . 13
Figure A.1 – Gauge for W-clips . 15
Figure A.2 – Symbol marks for dimensions of W-clips . 16
Figure B.1 – Other dimensions of the split-pins . 17
Figure C.1 – Positions of split-pin . 18
Figure C.2 – Positions of W-clip . 18

IEC 60372:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
Table 1 – Dimensions of the split-pins . 8
Table 2 – Dimensions of W-clips . 9
Table 3 – Radii of verification of resistance of bending . 11
Table 4 – Size of the sample and acceptance number Ac . 12
Table 5 – Specifications of K and D in Figure 4 . 13
Table A.1 – Dimensions of the gauge for W-clips . 16
Table B.1 – Other dimensions of the split-pins . 17

– 4 – IEC 60372:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LOCKING DEVICES FOR BALL AND SOCKET COUPLINGS
OF STRING INSULATOR UNITS – DIMENSIONS 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.
International Standard IEC 60372 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 36:
Insulators.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 1984. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Two new designated size of couplings, 36 and 40, were introduced;
b) According to the results of the questionnaire (36/424/Q), the relevant content of the 28B
W-clip was deleted;
c) Annex A is informative, Annex B is normative, Annex C is informative.

IEC 60372:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
36/485/FDIS 36/493/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – IEC 60372:2020 © IEC 2020
LOCKING DEVICES FOR BALL AND SOCKET COUPLINGS
OF STRING INSULATOR UNITS – DIMENSIONS AND TESTS

1 Scope
This international standard is applicable to locking devices used with ball and socket
couplings of string insulator units and used with the corresponding metal fittings standardized
in IEC 60120, when they are supplied separately.
When these locking devices are supplied with an insulator or fitting, they are considered as an
integral part of it. In this case, the relevant test is to be included with those of insulators, as
specified in IEC 60383-1 and IEC 61325. On request, a certificate is to be delivered
confirming that the tests on locking devices as specified in this document have been carried
out. The locking devices are usually supplied with the insulator or corresponding metal fittings.
The object of this document is
• to define the shapes and some standard dimensions for locking devices,
• to define the test methods for locking devices,
• to state the acceptance conditions for supply,
• to give other dimensions for guidance of manufacturing only.
The object of this document does not include the specification of the nature of the material,
and the material covered by the scope of this document does not have a surface coating for
corrosion protection. However, the material which will give rise to significant contact
corrosion(chemical reaction) between the locking device and the ball and socket coupling
does not covered by this document.
...