IEC 61300-2-21:2009

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-21: Tests - Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

IEC 61300-2-21:2009 determines the resistance of a fibre optic device to the deteriorative effects of high temperature, humidity and cold conditions. It is intended to reveal defects in a device under test (DUT) caused by breathing as opposed to absorption of moisture. The test covers the effect of the freezing of trapped water in cracks and fissures as well as condensation. However, the degree of condensation will vary depending on the size and thermal mass of the DUT. The changes with respect to the previous edition are:
- to reconsider the whole parts of the standard;
- to describe the apparatus and procedure in greater details;
- to define with precision the number of 24 cycles in the severity.

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques - Méthodes fondamentales d'essais et de mesures - Partie 2-21: Essais - Essai cyclique composite de température et d'humidité

La CEI 61300-2-21:2009 détermine la résistance des dispositifs à fibres optiques aux effets de détérioration dus aux conditions de température élevée, d'humidité et de froid. Elle est destinée à révéler les défauts d'un dispositif en essai provoqués par sa respiration, par opposition à la notion d'absorption d'humidité. Cet essai couvre l'effet de la congélation de l'eau piégée dans des craquelures et des fissures aussi bien que celui de la condensation. Cependant, le niveau de condensation varie selon les dimensions et la masse thermique du dispositif en essai. Les changements par rapport à l'édition précédente sont les suivants:
- la reconsidération de toutes les parties de la norme;
- la description de l'appareillage et des procédures avec plus de détails;
- la définition avec précision du nombre de 24 cycles dans la sévérité.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Dec-2009
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: SC 86B - Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components
• Drafting Committee: WG 4 - TC 86/SC 86B/WG 4
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 17-Dec-2009
• Completion Date: 15-Jan-2010

Overview

IEC 61300-2-21:2009 specifies a composite temperature/humidity cyclic test for evaluating the environmental resistance of fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components. The procedure determines resistance to deterioration from high temperature, humidity and cold, and is designed to reveal defects caused by “breathing” (moisture ingress and freezing/condensation effects) rather than simple hygroscopic absorption. It is particularly relevant for components made from mixed materials where differential expansion, trapped water and condensation can create failures.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Purpose: Reveal defects from condensation, freezing of trapped water in cracks/fissures, and temperature/humidity cycling.
• Pre-conditioning: DUT switched off, in ready-for-use state, exposed to 55 °C ± 2 °C with ≤ 20 % RH for 24 h, then stabilized to ambient before initial measurements.
• Initial measurements: Visual, optical (attenuation) and mechanical checks as per applicable specifications.
• Main conditioning: 10 temperature/humidity cycles, each 24 h long.
  • Temperature/humidity subcycle:
    • Start at 25 °C ± 2 °C, 93 % RH ± 3 % RH.
    • Ramp to 65 °C ± 2 °C over 2 h ± 30 min; maintain 93 % RH.
    • Hold at 65 °C until 5 h 30 after cycle start, then fall to 25 °C (2 h ± 30 min) with RH 88 % ± 8 %.
    • Repeat a second 65 °C period and fall back to 25 °C; stabilize at 25 °C/93 % RH until cycle end.
  • Cold subcycle (applies to any five of the first nine cycles):
    • After humidity subcycle, hold 1–2 h at 25 °C/93 % RH, then reduce to −10 °C ± 2 °C within ≤ 30 min.
    • Maintain −10 °C for 3 h, then raise back to 25 °C (reach by 22 h 30 of cycle). No humidity requirement during cold.
    • If separate chambers are used, transfer time 10–15 min.
• Apparatus: Humidity chamber meeting the specified temperature and RH profiles; cold chamber able to maintain −10 °C ± 2 °C; air stirring and avoidance of radiant heating; optical source/detector per IEC 61300-3-4.
• Failure modes addressed: Condensation-driven attenuation, mechanical cracking from ice expansion, connector seal degradation, and pumping effects due to repeated thermal cycling.

Applications

• Environmental qualification and reliability testing of:
  • connectors, adapters, splice enclosures and passive fibre devices
  • components for telecom, datacom, outdoor and harsh-environment installations
• Product development, acceptance testing, and comparative assessment of materials and housings to ensure field reliability where humidity and temperature vary cyclically.

Who uses this standard

• Fibre optic component manufacturers and designers
• Independent test laboratories and OEM quality/qualification engineers
• Specifiers and procurement teams requiring environmental conformance
• Certification and compliance professionals

Related standards

• IEC 60068-2-38 (Test Z/AD) - environmental composite temperature/humidity cyclic test (procedure basis)
• IEC 61300-3-1 - visual examination
• IEC 61300-3-4 - attenuation measurement (optical source/detector requirements)

Keywords: IEC 61300-2-21, composite temperature/humidity cyclic test, fibre optic interconnecting devices, humidity chamber, temperature cycles, DUT, attenuation, environmental qualification.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61300-2-21 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-21: Tests – Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

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.

IEC Central Office
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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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
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IEC 61300-2-21 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures –
Part 2-21: Tests – Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
M
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-88910-491-8
– 2 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-21: Tests –
Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

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 61300-2-21 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1995. It constitutes a
technical revision. The changes with respect to the previous edition are:
– to reconsider the whole parts of the standard;
– to describe the apparatus and procedure in greater details;
– to define with precision the number of 24 cycles in the severity.

61300-2-21 © IEC:2009(E) − 3 −
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86B/2924/FDIS 86B/2961/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.
A list of all the parts of IEC 61300 series, under the general title, Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components – Basic test and measurement procedures, can be found on
the IEC website.
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.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

– 4 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009(E)
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-21: Tests –
Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

1 Scope
The purpose of this part of IEC 61300 is to determine the resistance of a fibre optic device to
the deteriorative effects of high temperature, humidity and cold conditions.
It is intended to reveal defects in a device under test (DUT) caused by breathing as opposed to
absorption of moisture. The test covers the effect of the freezing of trapped water in cracks and
fissures as well as condensation. However, the degree of condensation will vary depending on
the size and thermal mass of the DUT.
This test differs from other cyclic damp heat tests in that it derives its increased severity from:
a) a greater number of temperature variations leading to pumping actions in a given time;
b) a greater cyclic temperature range;
c) a higher rate of change of temperature;
d) the inclusion of a number of excursions to sub-zero temperature.
This type of test is particularly important for fibre optic devices made of a variety of different
materials.
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 60068-2-38 Environmental testing – Part 2-38: Tests – Test Z/AD: Composite
temperature/humidity cyclic test
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual examination
IEC 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation
3 General description
This procedure is conducted in accordance with IEC 60068-2-38, test Z/AD. The DUT is placed
in a humidity chamber and subjected to 10 temperature-humidity cycles, each of 24 h duration.
During any five of the first nine cycles after exposure to the humidity subcycle, the DUT shall
be subjected to cold.
61300-2-21 © IEC:2009(E) − 5 −
4 Apparatus
4.1 General
The exposure to moisture, followed by cold, can either be performed in one chamber or in two
separate chambers.
4.2 Chamber for the exposure to moisture
The chamber for the exposure to moisture shall be so constructed that:
a) The temperature can be varied between 25 °C ± 2 °C and 65 °C ± 2 °C in a period of
between 1 h 30 and 2 h 30 for both rising and falling temperatures.
b) The relative humidity can be maintained at 93 % RH ± 3 % RH during the periods of
constant or rising temperature and between 88 % RH ± 8 % RH during the falling
temperature periods.
c) Care shall be taken to ensure that the conditions prevailing at any point in the working
space are uniform and are as similar as possible to those prevailing in the immediate
vicinity of suitably located temperature and humidity sensing devices.
The air in the chamber shall be continuously stirred at a rate necessary to maintain the
specified conditions of temperature and humidity.
d) The DUT shall not be subjected to radiant heat from the chamber conditioning processes.
e) Condensed water is continuously drained from the chamber and not used again until it has
been repurified.
f) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that no condensed water from the walls and roof of
the test chamber can fall on the DUT.
4.3 Chamber for exposure to cold
The chamber for exposure to cold shall be so constructed that:
a) Th
...

IEC 61300-2-21 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures –
Part 2-21: Tests – Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques –
Méthodes fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –
Partie 2-21: Essais – Essai cyclique composite de température et d’humidité

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.

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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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
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The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
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in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
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IEC 61300-2-21 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test
and measurement procedures –
Part 2-21: Tests – Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

Dispositifs d'interconnexion et composants passifs à fibres optiques –
Méthodes fondamentales d'essais et de mesures –
Partie 2-21: Essais – Essai cyclique composite de température et d’humidité

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
M
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-049-9
– 2 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-21: Tests –
Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

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 61300-2-21 has been prepared by subcommittee 86B: Fibre optic
interconnecting devices and passive components, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.
This bilingual version (2010-07) replaces the English version.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1995. It constitutes a
technical revision. The changes with respect to the previous edition are:
– to reconsider the whole parts of the standard;
– to describe the apparatus and procedure in greater details;
– to define with precision the number of 24 cycles in the severity.

61300-2-21 © IEC:2009 − 3 −
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86B/2924/FDIS 86B/2961/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.
The French version of this standard has not been voted upon.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts of IEC 61300 series, under the general title, Fibre optic interconnecting
devices and passive components – Basic test and measurement procedures, can be found on
the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability 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.
– 4 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009
FIBRE OPTIC INTERCONNECTING
DEVICES AND PASSIVE COMPONENTS –
BASIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES –

Part 2-21: Tests –
Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test

1 Scope
The purpose of this part of IEC 61300 is to determine the resistance of a fibre optic device to
the deteriorative effects of high temperature, humidity and cold conditions.
It is intended to reveal defects in a device under test (DUT) caused by breathing as opposed to
absorption of moisture. The test covers the effect of the freezing of trapped water in cracks and
fissures as well as condensation. However, the degree of condensation will vary depending on
the size and thermal mass of the DUT.
This test differs from other cyclic damp heat tests in that it derives its increased severity from:
a) a greater number of temperature variations leading to pumping actions in a given time;
b) a greater cyclic temperature range;
c) a higher rate of change of temperature;
d) the inclusion of a number of excursions to sub-zero temperature.
This type of test is particularly important for fibre optic devices made of a variety of different
materials.
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 60068-2-38, Environmental testing – Part 2-38: Tests – Test Z/AD: Composite
temperature/humidity cyclic test
IEC 61300-3-1, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-1: Examinations and measurements – Visual examination
IEC 61300-3-4, Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and
measurement procedures – Part 3-4: Examinations and measurements – Attenuation
3 General description
This procedure is conducted in accordance with IEC 60068-2-38, test Z/AD. The DUT is placed
in a humidity chamber and subjected to 10 temperature-humidity cycles, each of 24 h duration.
During any five of the first nine cycles after exposure to the humidity subcycle, the DUT shall
be subjected to cold.
61300-2-21 © IEC:2009 − 5 −
4 Apparatus
4.1 General
The exposure to moisture, followed by cold, can either be performed in one chamber or in two
separate chambers.
4.2 Chamber for the exposure to moisture
The chamber for the exposure to moisture shall be so constructed that:
a) The temperature can be varied between 25 °C ± 2 °C and 65 °C ± 2 °C in a period of
between 1 h 30 and 2 h 30 for both rising and falling temperatures.
b) The relative humidity can be maintained at 93 % RH ± 3 % RH during the periods of
constant or rising temperature and between 88 % RH ± 8 % RH during the falling
temperature periods.
c) Care shall be taken to ensure that the conditions prevailing at any point in the working
space are uniform and are as similar as possible to those prevailing in the immediate
vicinity of suitably located temperature and humidity sensing devices.
The air in the chamber shall be continuously stirred at a rate necessary to maintain the
specified conditions of temperature and humidity.
d) The DUT shall not be subjected to radiant heat from the chamber conditioning processes.
e) Condensed water is continuously drained from the chamber and not used again until it has
been repurified.
f) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that no condensed water from the walls and roof of
the test chamber can fall on the DUT.
4.3 Chamber for exposure to cold
The chamber for exposure to cold shall be so constructed that:
a) The temperature can be maintained at –10 °C ± 2 °C.
b) Care shall be taken to ensure that the conditions prevailing at any point in the working
space are uniform and are as similar as possible to those prevailing in the immediate
vicinity of suitably located temperature-sensing devices.
The air in the chamber shall be continuously stirred.
c) Care shall be taken that the thermal capacity of the DUT does not appreciably influence
conditions within the chamber.
4.4 Humidity chamber
The humidity chamber may be used for exposure to cold in which case it shall meet the
requirements of 4.2 and in addition shall be so constructed that:
a) The temperature can be lowered from 25 °C ± 2 °C to –10 °C ± 2 °C in a period of not more
than 30 min.
b) The DUT can be held at a temperature of –10 °C ± 2 °C for a period of 3 h.
c) The temperature can be raised from –10 °C ± 2 °C to 25 °C ± 2 °C in a period of not more
than 90 min.
4.5 Optical source and detector
The optical source and detector used to measure changes in attenuation shall comply with
those specified in IEC 61300-3-4.

– 6 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009
5 Procedure
5.1 Preparation of specimens
Prepare the specimen according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as specified in the
relevant specification. The specimen shall be terminated with a sufficient length of fibre cable
to facilitate connection with the optical source and the detector.
Clean the optical and mechanical parts of the DUT according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5.2 Pre-conditioning (see Figure 1)
Unless otherwise specified, the DUT, switched off, ready for-use-state, shall be subjected to
55 °C ± 2 °C with a relative humidity not exceeding 20 % RH for a period of 24 h prior to the
conditioning.
The DUT shall then be allowed to attain thermal stability at standard atmospheric conditions for
testing or as otherwise specified before the initial measurements are made.

61300-2-21 © IEC:2009 − 7 −
Relative humidity
not more than 20 %
0 12 24 Time  (h)
IEC  2405/09
No specific rate of
cooling is required
Pre-conditioning period
Initial
measurements
Stabilizing period
Drying period
0 12 24 Time  (h)
IEC  2406/09
Figure 1 – Preconditioning
Temperature  (°C) Relative humidity  (%)

– 8 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009
5.3 Initial measurements
The DUT shall be visually inspected and optically measured and mechanically checked as
required by the relevant specification.
5.4 Conditioning
5.4.1 General
The DUT shall be introduced into the humidity chamber, switched off, ready-for-use state, and
mounted in the normal orientation, if this is known, or as otherwise specified and shall be
subjected to 10 temperature/humidity cycles, each of 24 h duration.
During any five of the first nine of the above cycles after exposure to the humidity subcycle (a-f
in Figure 2), the DUT shall be subjected to cold.
This exposure may be performed either in the same chamber or in separate chambers. If
separate chambers are used for the high-temperature/high-humidity and low-temperature sub-
cycles of the test, the DUT should not be subjected to thermal shock conditions unless it is
known that they are insensitive to this degree of thermal shock.
If a batch of DUT is subjected to thermal shock through the use of the two chamber methods
and significant failures occur, a further batch shall be retested with gradual change of
temperatures and shall be considered to have passed the test successfully if no significant
failures occur under these conditions.
The remaining four of the first nine cycles shall be run without exposure to cold (see 5.4.2.1.).
The humidity cycles prescribed are the same in all cases.
5.4.2 Description of 24 h cycle
5.4.2.1 Description of temperature/humidity subcycle (applicable to all cycles, see
Figure 2)
At “zero time” of every 24 h cycle, the chamber condition shall be controlled to a temperature of
25 °C ± 2 °C and relative humidity of 93 % RH ± 3 % RH.
a) The temperature of the chamber shall be steadily raised to 65 °C ± 2 °C over a period of
2 h ± 30 min. During this period, the relative humidity shall be maintained at
93 % RH ± 3 % RH.
b) The temperature and relative humidity in the chamber shall be maintained at 65 °C ± 2 °C
and 93 % RH ± 3 % RH respectively until 5 h 30 after the start of the cycle.
c) The temperature shall then be allowed to fall to 25 °C ± 2 °C over a period of 2 h ± 30 min .
During this period, the relative humidity shall be maintained at 88 % RH ± 8 % RH.
d) Beginning 8 h after the start of the cycle, the temperature shall again be steadily raised to
65 °C ± 2 °C over a period of 2 h ± 30 min. During this period, the relative humidity shall be
maintained at 93 % RH ± 3 % RH.
e) The temperature and relative humidity in the chamber shall be maintained at 65 °C ± 2 °C
and 93 % RH ± 3 % RH respectively until 13 h 30 after the start of the cycle.
f) The temperature shall then be allowed to fall to 25 °C ± 2 °C over a period of 2 h ± 30 min.
During this period, the relative humidity in the chamber shall be maintained at
88 % RH ± 8 % RH.
g) The chamber shall then continue to run at a stabilised temperature of 25 °C ± 2 °C and
relative humidity of 93 % RH ± 3 % RH until the start of the cold subcycle or until the end of
the 24 h cycle as appropriate.

61300-2-21 © IEC:2009 − 9 −
5.4.2.2 Description of cold subcycle
Applicable to any five of the first nine cycles (see Figure 2).
a) Following the completion of the temperature/humidity subcycle (a-f in Figure 2), the
chamber is maintained at a temperature of 25 °C ± 2 °C and relative humidity of
93 % RH ± 3 % RH for a period of at least one but not more than 2 h.
b) 17 h 30 after the start of the cycle, the DUT shall be exposed to a temperature of
–10 °C ± 2 °C. The ambient temperature of the chamber shall be reduced over a period of
not more than 30 min.
c) Beginning 18 h after the start of the cycle, the temperature shall be maintained at
−10 °C ± 2 °C for a period of 3 h.
No requirement for humidity is prescribed during the entire cold subcycle.
d) Beginning 21 h after the start of the cycle, the temperature shall be raised to 25 °C ± 2 °C.
This temperature shall be reached 22 h 30 after the start of the cycle (see Figure 2).
If the DUT is transferred from one chamber to another, the transfer shall be completed
within a period of 10 min to 15 min.
e) The temperature of the chamber shall be maintained at 25 °C ± 2 °C until the 24 h cycle is
completed.
During this period, the relative humidity shall be 93 % RH ± 3 % RH.

– 10 – 61300-2-21 © IEC:2009
Relative humidity
uncontrolled
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 Time  (h)
IEC  2407/09
a b c d e f g
* *
Preferred limit
1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5
Permissible limits
2,5 2,5 2,5 2,5
Preferred limit
Permissible limits
Time  (h)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
–10
IEC  2408/09
Figure 2 – Exposure humidity followed by exposure to cold

Temperature  (°C) Relative humidity  (%)

61300-2-21 © IEC:2009 − 11 −
5.4.2.3 Description of 24 h cycles with no exposure to cold
Applicable to the remaining four of the first nine cycles.
Cycles which do not include a cold subcycle following the humidity/temperature subcycle are
the same as described in 5.4.2.1, except that in item g) the chamber shall be maintained at a
temperature of 25 °C ± 2 °C and relative humidity of 93 % RH ± 3 % RH until the 24 h cycle is
completed.
5.4.2.4 Description of final cycle
In the final cycle, following the completion of the temperature and humidity subcycle, the
chamber is maintained at a temperature of 25 °C ± 2 °C and relative humidity
93 % RH ± 3 % RH for a period of 3 h 30 after which the final measurements are made.
5.5 Final examinations and measurements
5.5.1 General
On completion of the test, remove all fixtures and make final measurements, as defined by the
relevant specification, to ensure that there is no permanent damage to the DUT. The results of
the final measurement shall be within the limit established in the relevant specification.
Optical and mechanical measurements shall be made:
a) immediately upon removal from the chamber, or
b) after a drying period,
as required by the relevant specification.
After conditioning, unless otherwise specified, visually examine the DUT in accordance with
IEC 61300-3-1.
Check for evidence of any degradation in the DUT. This may include, for example,
– broken, loose or damaged parts or accessories;
– breaking or damage to the cable sheath, seals, or strain relief;
– displaced, bent, or broken parts.
5.5.2 Immediately upon removal from the chamber
On completion of the final cycle, the DUT shall be removed from the chamber and be kept at
standard atmospheric conditions for testing.
If the initial measurements were made under conditions different from standard atmospheric
conditions for testing, the same conditions shall be used for both sets of measurements.
Optical and mechanical measurements, as specified, shall be made within a period of between
1 h and 2 h after removal from the chamber.
Measurements taken early in this time period may be repeated once only, later in the time
period. The later reading will be used for failure determination.
5.5.3 After final drying
On completion of the final cycle, the DUT shall be removed from the chamber and shall be kept
under standard atmospheric conditions for testing for a period of 24 h before the specified final
measurements are made.
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...