EN IEC 60068-2-17:2023

• Abstract:

  IEC 60068-2-17:2023 deals with seal tests applicable to the external and internal detection in container sealing of gross leaks and fine leaks to determine the effectiveness of seals of specimens. For further tests to verify the ability of enclosures, covers and seals to maintain components and equipment in good working order, IEC 60068‑2‑18 can be helpful. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 1994. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) "Survey of sealing tests" has been deleted and the relevant content moved to a new Clause 4 "General"; b) the Scope has been revised; c) the figures have been updated for clarification purposes; d) all non-SI units have been removed; e) the information to be given in the relevant specification has been revised.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-2023
• ICS: 19.040 - Environmental testing
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 104 - Environmental conditions, classification and methods of test
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 104 - IEC_TC_104
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 15-Sep-2023
• Due Date: 09-Aug-2024
• Completion Date: 15-Sep-2023
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 60068-2-17:2024 - Environmental testing - Part 2-17: Tests - Test Q: Sealing (IEC 60068-2-17:2023)

• Replaces: EN 60068-2-17:1994 - Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests - Test Q: Sealing
• Effective Date: 27-Jan-2023
• Referred By: EN IEC 62146-1:2026 - Capacitors for high-voltage alternating current circuit-breakers - Part 1: General and grading capacitors
• Effective Date: 18-Aug-2026
• Referred By: EN 1300:2004+A1:2011 - Secure storage units - Classification for high security locks according to their resistance to unauthorized opening
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 15267-3:2007 - Air quality - Certification of automated measuring systems - Part 3: Performance criteria and test procedures for automated measuring systems for monitoring emissions from stationary sources
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 2349-001:2022 - Aerospace series - Requirements and test procedures for switching devices
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 61757-1-1:2020 - Fibre optic sensors - Part 1-1: Strain measurement - Strain sensors based on fibre Bragg gratings
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 60747-5-5:2020 - Semiconductor devices - Part 5-5: Optoelectronic devices - Photocouplers
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 60384-1:2021 - Fixed capacitors for use in electronic equipment - Part 1: Generic specification
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: CLC IEC/TS 62271-318:2025 - High-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 318: DC gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated voltages including and above 100 kV
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 60068-3-5:2018 - Environmental testing - Part 3-5: Supporting documentation and guidance - Confirmation of the performance of temperature chambers
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 62271-203:2022 - High-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 203: AC gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated voltages above 52 kV
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 60938-2:2021 - Fixed inductors for electromagnetic interference suppression - Part 2: Sectional specification on power line chokes
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 61189-5-601:2021 - Test methods for electrical materials, printed boards and other interconnection structures and assemblies - Part 5-601: General test methods for materials and assemblies - Reflow soldering ability test for solder joint, and reflow heat resistance test for printed boards
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 60539-1:2016 - Directly heated negative temperature coefficient thermistors - Part 1: Generic specification
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 61810-10:2019 - Electromechanical elementary relays - Part 10: Additional functional aspects and safety requirements for high-capacity relays
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026

Overview

EN IEC 60068-2-17:2023 (issued by CLC / IEC TC 104) is the international standard for environmental testing - Test Q: Sealing. This fifth edition (technical revision, replaces the 1994 edition) specifies standardized procedures to detect gross and fine leaks and to assess the effectiveness of seals in specimens and containers. It defines multiple test methods (gas leak, tracer gas, immersion, pressure-rise, bomb pressure, seepage of filling liquid, and sealing of bushes/spindles/gaskets) and prescribes what information must be recorded in specifications and test reports. Notable editorial changes include moving the survey content into a new General clause, updated figures, removal of non‑SI units, revised scope and specification info.

Key topics and requirements

• Test structure and scope: Contains distinct test procedures identified as Test Qa, Qc, Qd, Qf, Qk, Ql, Qm and Qy, each targeting different sealing failure modes.
• Sealing methods covered:
  • Qa: Sealing of bushes, spindles and gaskets (functional checks, initial/final measurements).
  • Qc: Container sealing - gas leak tests with multiple test methods.
  • Qd: Seepage tests for filling liquids (severity levels, conditioning).
  • Qf: Immersion tests for ingress under immersion conditions.
  • Qk / Qm: Tracer gas methods (with mass spectrometer and internal pressurization) for sensitive leak detection, including cumulative and probing approaches.
  • Ql: Bomb pressure test for enclosure integrity under external pressure.
  • Qy: Pressure-rise sealing test with leak-rate calculation and equipment calibration.
• Test rig, calibration and measurement: Descriptions of required test equipment, calibration, calculation of leak rates and evaluation volumes.
• Reporting and specification data: Standardized lists of information to be provided in contract/test specifications and in final test reports.

Applications and who uses it

• Used by environmental test laboratories, manufacturers and OEMs of enclosures, electronic equipment, batteries, sensors, connectors, medical devices, automotive and aerospace components to:
  • Verify hermeticity and seal integrity
  • Characterize leak rates and determine suitability for intended environments
  • Support design validation, quality control and regulatory compliance
• Helpful for design engineers, QA managers, test engineers, and certification bodies who require repeatable, standardized sealing test methods.

Related standards

• IEC 60068-2-18 - referenced for additional tests verifying ability of enclosures and seals to maintain components in working order.
• IEC 60068-1 - general guidance for environmental testing series.

Keywords: EN IEC 60068-2-17:2023, sealing test, environmental testing, tracer gas, mass spectrometer, container sealing, pressure rise test, leak rate, immersion test, CLC.