IEC 60393-3:2023

Potentiometers for use in electronic equipment - Part 3: Sectional specification: Rotary precision potentiometers

IEC 60393-3:2023 applies to rotary precision potentiometers for use in electronic equipment. The object of this document is to prescribe preferred ratings and characteristics and to select from IEC 60393-1, the appropriate quality assessment procedures, tests and measuring methods and to give general performance requirements for this type of potentiometer. This document gives the minimum performance requirements and test severities.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) revised all parts of the document based on the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2:2018 (eighth edition) and harmonized with other similar kinds of documents;
b) the document structure has been organized to follow new sectional specification structure decided in TC 40;
c) revision of the information on the assessment level EZ (zero nonconforming).

Potentiomètres utilisés dans les équipements électroniques - Partie 3: Spécification intermédiaire: Potentiomètres de précision rotatifs

L’IEC 60393-3:2023 s’applique aux potentiomètres de précision rotatifs utilisés dans les équipements électroniques.
Le présent document a pour objet de prescrire les caractéristiques assignées et les caractéristiques préférentielles, de choisir dans l’IEC 60393-1 les procédures d’assurance de la qualité et les méthodes d’essai et de mesure appropriées, et de fixer les exigences de performance générales pour ce type de potentiomètres.
Le présent document fixe les exigences minimales de performance et les sévérités des essais.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente:
a) révision de toutes les parties du document en s’appuyant sur les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2:2018 (huitième édition) et harmonisation avec d’autres types de documents similaires;
b) organisation de la structure du document pour suivre la nouvelle structure de spécification intermédiaire décidée au sein du CE 40;
c) révision des informations relatives au niveau d’assurance de la qualité EZ (zéro non‑conformité).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Aug-2023
• ICS: 31.040.20 - Potentiometers, variable resistors
• Technical Committee: TC 40 - Capacitors and resistors for electronic equipment
• Drafting Committee: MT 60393-3 - TC 40/MT 60393-3
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 08-Sep-2023
• Completion Date: 18-Aug-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60393-3
®

Edition 3.0 2023-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Potentiometers for use in electronic equipment –
Part 3: Sectional specification: Rotary precision potentiometers

Potentiomètres utilisés dans les équipements électroniques –
Partie 3: Spécification intermédiaire: Potentiomètres de précision rotatifs
IEC 60393-3:2023-08(en-fr)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
Copyright © 2023 IEC, Geneva, Switzerland

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.


Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et
les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland

About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc


If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].


A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC -  IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications. Avec un
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, abonnement, vous aurez toujours accès à un contenu à jour
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les adapté à vos besoins.
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au monde,
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
avec plus de 22 300 articles terminologiques en anglais et en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans 19 langues
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
[e-mail].

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3

®


Edition 3.0 2023-08




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE











Potentiometers for use in electronic equipment –

Part 3: Sectional specification: Rotary precision potentiometers



Potentiomètres utilisés dans les équipements électroniques –

Partie 3: Spécification intermédiaire: Potentiomètres de précision rotatifs















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE





ICS 31.040.20  ISBN 978-2-8322-7359-3




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Preferred characteristics . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Style and dimensions . 7
4.2.1 Style . 7
4.2.2 Outline drawing and dimensions . 7
4.3 Preferred climatic categories . 9
4.4 Resistance law . 9
4.5 Nominal total resistance . 9
4.6 Tolerances on nominal total resistance . 9
4.7 Rated dissipation . 9
4.8 Limiting element voltage . 10
4.9 Insulation voltage . 11
4.10 Resolution (when applicable) . 11
5 Test and test severities. 11
5.1 General . 11
5.2 Mounting . 11
5.3 Drying . 11
5.4 Vibration . 11
5.5 Bump . 11
5.6 Shock . 12
5.7 Solderability . 12
5.7.1 Solder bath method (Method 1) . 12
5.7.2 Soldering iron method (Method 2) . 12
5.8 Linearity . 12
5.9 Angle of effective travel . 12
5.10 Dither . 13
6 Preferred characteristics . 13
6.1 General . 13
6.2 Temperature coefficients of resistance . 13
6.3 Limits for change in resistance or output voltage ratio . 14
6.4 Limits for insulation resistance . 14
6.5 Limits for resistance law . 14
6.6 Solderability . 14
7 Marking, packaging and ordering information . 15
7.1 General . 15
7.2 Marking for potentiometers . 15
7.3 Marking for packaging . 15
7.4 Additional marking . 15
7.5 Ordering information . 15
8 Preferred values of ratings. 16
8.1 General . 16
8.2 Information to be specified in a detail specification . 16

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
8.2.1 Outline drawing or illustration . 16
8.2.2 Style and dimensions . 16
8.3 Ratings and characteristics . 16
8.3.1 General . 16
8.3.2 Nominal total resistance range . 16
8.4 Additional information . 16
9 Quality assessment procedures . 17
9.1 General . 17
9.2 Definitions. 17
9.2.1 Primary stage of manufacture . 17
9.2.2 Structurally similar components . 17
9.3 Assessment level EZ . 17
10 Qualification approval . 17
10.1 General . 17
10.2 Qualification approval on the basis of the fixed sample size procedure . 17
10.3 Tests . 18
11 Quality conformance inspection . 29
11.1 Formation of inspection lots . 29
11.2 Test schedule . 29
11.3 Assessment levels . 29
11.4 Delayed delivery . 31
Annex A (normative) Symbols and abbreviated terms . 32
A.1 Symbols . 32
A.2 Abbreviated terms . 33
Bibliography . 34

Figure 1 – Outline drawing and dimensions . 8
Figure 2 – Rated dissipation curve . 10
Figure 3 – Rated dissipation curve (examples of lager area) . 10

Table 1 – Temperature coefficients . 13
Table 2 – Limits for change in resistance or output voltage ratio . 14
Table 3 – Test schedule for qualification approval . 19
Table 4 – Quality conformance inspection: lot-by-lot inspection . 30
Table 5 – Quality conformance inspection: periodic testing . 31

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

POTENTIOMETERS FOR USE IN ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –

Part 3: Sectional specification: Rotary precision potentiometers

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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60393-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 40: Capacitors and resistors for
electronic equipment. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 1992. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) revised all parts of the document based on the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2:2018 (eighth
edition) and harmonized with other similar kinds of documents;
b) the document structure has been organized to follow new sectional specification structure
decided in TC 40;
c) revision of the information on the assessment level EZ (zero nonconforming).

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
40/3058/FDIS 40/3071/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.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60393 series, published under the general title Potentiometers for
use in electronic equipment, can be found on the IEC website.
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/publications.
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.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023
POTENTIOMETERS FOR USE IN ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –

Part 3: Sectional specification: Rotary precision potentiometers



1 Scope
This part of IEC 60393 applies to rotary precision potentiometers for use in electronic equipment.
The object of this document is to prescribe preferred ratings and characteristics and to select
from IEC 60393-1, the appropriate quality assessment procedures, tests and measuring
methods and to give general performance requirements for this type of potentiometer.
This document gives the minimum performance requirements and test severities.
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 60062, Marking codes for resistors and capacitors
IEC 60068-1:2013, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-1, Environmental testing – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
IEC 60068-2-2, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60393-1:2008, Potentiometers for use in electronic equipment – Part 1: Generic specification
IEC 61193-2, Quality assessment systems – Part 2: Selection and use of sampling plans for
inspection of electronic components and packages
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions of IEC 60393-1:2008 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
4 Preferred characteristics
4.1 General
The values given in detail specifications should be selected from the content of 4.2 to 4.10.

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
4.2 Style and dimensions
4.2.1 Style
See IEC 60393-1:2008, 2.2.2.
The style shall be presented by a double-letter code, e.g. AB, which is arbitrarily chosen for
each detail specification.
The style designation, therefore, has no meaning unless the number of the detail specification
is also given.
4.2.2 Outline drawing and dimensions
The detail specification shall incorporate an illustration of the potentiometer being specified.
Where space is insufficient to show the detail dimensions required for inspection purposes,
such dimensions shall appear on a drawing forming an annex to the detail specification, as
shown in Figure 1.

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
– 8 – IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023


Style code: BM Style code: HS


Style code: PM-ST Style code: PM-RT

Key:
A Body wide or diameter
B Body height
C Body length
D Shaft diameter
E Bushing diameter or thread size
F Bushing length
G Distance from the mounting surface to the terminal centre
H Distance from shaft centre to the board surface
J Distance from mounting surface to terminal board
K Distance from shaft centre to terminal tip
L Shaft length
M Pitch circle diameter of terminals
P Distance between terminals
T Terminal diameter
d
T Terminal length
l
T Terminal thickness
t
T Terminal width
w
θ Terminal mounting angle
Figure 1 – Outline drawing and dimensions
The drawing shall give the following details:
– the dimensions of the shaft and bush. These may be given either on the outline drawing or
by reference to IEC 60915;
– any locating devices;
– the total mechanical travel;

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 9 –
– the effective electrical travel;
– the angle of ineffective mechanical travel;
– the dimensions and the location of terminals;
– the dimensions which shall be measured in accordance with IEC 60393-1:2008, 4.4.2;
– any other dimensional information which will adequately describe the potentiometer.
All dimensions shall be stated in millimetres. However, when the original dimensions are given
in inches, the converted metric dimensions in millimetres shall be added.
When the potentiometer is not designed for use on printed boards, this shall be clearly indicated
in the detail specification.
4.3 Preferred climatic categories
The potentiometers covered by this specification are classified into climatic categories in
accordance with the general rules given in IEC 60068-1:2013, Annex A.
The lower and upper category temperature and the duration of the damp heat, steady-state test
shall be chosen from the following:
Lower category temperature: −55 °C, −40 °C and −10 °C.
Upper category temperature: +85 °C, +100 °C and +125 °C.
Duration of the damp heat, steady-state test: 21 days and 56 days.
The severities for the cold and dry heat tests are the lower and upper category temperatures
respectively. Because of the construction of some potentiometers, these temperatures will
occur between two of the preferred temperatures given in IEC 60068-2-1 and IEC 60068-2-2.
In this case, the nearest preferred temperature within the actual temperature range of the
potentiometer shall be chosen for this severity.
4.4 Resistance law
See 6.5.
4.5 Nominal total resistance
IEC 60393-1:2008, 2.3.2.
4.6 Tolerances on nominal total resistance
The preferred tolerances on nominal total resistance are:
±10 %, ±5 %, ±3 %, ±2 %, ±1 % and ±0,5 %.
4.7 Rated dissipation
The preferred values of rated dissipation at 70 °C, are:
0,1 W; 0,125 W; 0,25 W; 0,5 W; 0,75 W; 1 W; 1,5 W; 2,0 W; 2,5 W; 4 W; and 6,3 W.
The derated values of dissipation at temperatures in excess of 70 °C shall be as indicated by
the curve as shown in Figure 2.

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
– 10 – IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023

Figure 2 – Rated dissipation curve
A larger area of operation may be given in the detail specification, provided it includes all the
area given above. In this event the detail specification shall state the maximum allowable
dissipation at temperatures other than 70 °C. All break points on the curve shall be verified by
test.
An example of a derating curve having a larger area of operation is given in Figure 3.
In certain circumstances, the rated dissipation can continue up to the upper category
temperature.

Figure 3 – Rated dissipation curve (examples of lager area)
4.8 Limiting element voltage
The preferred values of DC or AC RMS limiting element voltage are taken from the R5 series
of preferred numbers of ISO 3:
100 V, 160 V, 250 V, 400 V, 630 V and 1 000 V.

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------
IEC 60393-3:2023 © IEC 2023 – 11 –
4.9 Insulation voltage
The detail specification shall prescribe the value of the insulation voltage, rounded off to the
nearest 10 V. The numerical value of the insulation voltage shall be:
– normal air pressure: ≥ 1,42 times the limiting element voltage;
– low air pressure (at 8 kPa): ≥ two-thirds the value at normal air pressure.
4.10 Resolution (when applicable)
The resolution shall be stated in the detail specification.
5 Test and test severities
5.1 General
Test severities given in the detail specification should be selected from the content of 5.2 to
5.10.
5.2 Mounting
The detail specification shall specify the method of mounting to be applied for the voltage proof
and the insulation resistance tests and for the application of the vibration and bump or shock
tests. The potentiometers shall be mounted by their normal means, but the design may be such
that special mounting fixtures are required. In this case, the detail specification shall describe
the mounting fixtures that shall be used for the voltage proof and the insulation resistance tests
and for the application of the vibration and bump or shock tests. For the latter tests, the
mounting shall be such
...