IEC 61643-21:2000+AMD1:2008 CSV

Low voltage surge protective devices - Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and signalling networks - Performance requirements and testing methods

IEC 61643-21:2000+A1:2008 is applicable to devices for surge protection of telecommunications and signalling networks against indirect and direct effects of lightning or other transient overvoltages. The purpose of these SPDs is to protect modern electronic equipment connected to telecommunications and signalling networks with nominal system voltags up to 1 000 V (r.m.s.) a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. The contents of the corrigendum of March 2001 have been included in this copy. This consolidated version consists of the first edition (2000) and its amendment 1 (2008). Therefore, no need to order amendment in addition to this publication.

Parafoudres basse tension - Partie 21: Parafoudres connectés aux réseaux de signaux et de télécommunications - Prescriptions de fonctionnement et méthodes d'essais

La CEI 61643-21:2000+A1:2008 est applicable aux dispositifs de protection (parafoudres) contre les effets directs et indirects de la foudre ou des autres surtensions transitoires, pour les réseaux de télécommunications et de transmission de signaux. Ces parafoudres sont destinés à protéger les équipements électroniques modernes, connectés aux réseaux de télécommunications et de transmission de signaux, ayant une tension nominale de fontionnement jusqu'à 1 000 V (efficace) en courant alternatif et 1 500 V en courant continu. Le contenu du corrigendum de mars 2001 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.  Cette version consolidée comprend la première édition (2000) et son amendement 1 (2008). Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de commander l'amendement avec cette publication.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Apr-2009
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.240.10 - Substations. Surge arresters
• Technical Committee: SC 37A - Low-voltage surge protective devices
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 29-Apr-2009
• Completion Date: 29-Apr-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61643-21
Edition 1.1 2009-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low voltage surge protective devices –
Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and
signalling networks – Performance requirements and testing methods

Parafoudres basse tension –
Partie 21: Parafoudres connectés aux réseaux de signaux et de
télécommunications – Prescriptions de fonctionnement et méthodes d’essais
IEC 61643-21:2000+A1:2008

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
Copyright © 2009 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 la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.iec.ch

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.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) 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 CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
ƒ Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
ƒ Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
ƒ Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: [e-mail]
Tél.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 61643-21
Edition 1.1 2009-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Low voltage surge protective devices –
Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and
signalling networks – Performance requirements and testing methods

Parafoudres basse tension –
Partie 21: Parafoudres connectés aux réseaux de signaux et de
télécommunications – Prescriptions de fonctionnement et méthodes d’essais

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CS
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.240; 29.240.10 ISBN 2-8318-9836-6

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – 61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
INTRODUCTION.7
1 General .8
1.1 Scope.8
1.2 SPD configurations.8
1.3 Use of this standard .10
2 Normative references .13
3 Definitions .14
4 Service and test conditions.17
4.1 Service conditions .17
4.1.1 Normal service conditions.17
4.1.2 Abnormal service conditions .18
4.2 Test temperature and humidity .18
4.3 SPD testing .18
4.4 Waveform tolerances.19
5 Requirements .19
5.1 General requirements.19
5.1.1 Identification and documentation .19
5.1.2 Marking .19
5.2 Electrical requirements.20
5.2.1 Voltage-limiting requirements .20
5.2.2 Current-limiting requirements .21
5.2.3 Transmission requirements.22
5.3 Mechanical requirements.22
5.3.1 Terminals and connectors.23
5.3.2 Mechanical strength (mounting).24
5.3.3 Resistance to ingress of solid objects and to harmful ingress of water .24
5.3.4 Protection against direct contact.24
5.3.5 Fire resistance.24
5.4 Environmental requirements .24
5.4.1 High temperature and humidity endurance.24
5.4.2 Environmental cycling with impulse surges .25
5.4.3 Environmental cycling with a.c. surges .25
6 Type test .25
6.1 General tests.25
6.1.1 Identification and documentation .25
6.1.2 Marking .25
6.2 Electrical tests.26
6.2.1 Voltage-limiting tests .26
6.2.2 Current-limiting tests .32
6.2.3 Transmission tests .35
6.3 Mechanical tests .37
6.3.1 Terminals and connectors.37
6.3.2 Mechanical strength (mounting).39
6.3.3 Resistance to ingress of solid objects and to harmful ingress of water .39
6.3.4 Protection against direct contact.39

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008 – 3 –
6.3.5 Fire resistance.40
6.4 Environmental tests.41
6.4.1 High temperature and humidity endurance.41
6.4.2 Environmental cycling with impulse surges .41
6.4.3 Environmental cycling with a.c. surges .42
6.5 Acceptance tests.42

Annex A (informative) Devices with current-limiting components only .56
Annex B (Void) .57
Annex C (Void) .58
Annex D (informative) Measurement accuracy .59
Annex E (informative) Determination of let-through current (I ).60
p

Bibliography.63

Figure 1 – SPD configurations .9
Figure 16 – Examples of multi-line SPDs with a common protective element.28
Figure 2 – Test circuits for impulse reset time.43
Figure 3 – Test circuits for a.c. durability and overstressed fault mode .44
Figure 4 – Test circuits for impulse durability and overstressed fault mode .45
Figure 5 – Test circuits for rated current, series resistance, response time,
current reset time, maximum interrupting voltage and operating duty test .46
Figure 6 – Test circuits for a.c. durability .47
Figure 7 – Test circuits for impulse durability .48
Figure 8 – Test circuits for insertion loss.49
Figure 9 – Test circuit for return loss .49
Figure 10 – Test circuits for longitudinal balance .50
Figure 11 – Test circuit for bit error ratio test .51
Figure 12 – Test circuit for near-end crosstalk .52
Figure 13 – Test circuits for high temperature/humidity endurance
and environmental cycling.53
Figure 14 – Environmental cycling schedule A with RH ≥ 90 % .54
Figure 15 – Environmental cycling B .55
Figure A.1 – Configurations of devices with current-limiting component(s) only.56
Figure E.1 – Determination of differential mode let-through current.60
Figure E.2 – Determination of common mode let-through current .61
Figure E.3 – Determination of differential mode let-through current.61
Figure E.4 – Determination of differential mode let-through current.61
Figure E.5 – Determination of common mode max. let-through current .61
Figure E.6 – Determination of common mode max. let-through current
at multi-terminal SPDs .62

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – 61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008
Table 1 – General SPD requirements.11
Table 2 – Waveform tolerances.19
Table 3 – Voltage and current waveforms for impulse-limiting voltage.27
Table 4 – Source voltages and currents for impulse reset test .29
Table 5 – Preferred values of currents for a.c. durability test .30
Table 6 – Test currents for response time.32
Table 7 – Preferred values of current for operating duty tests .34
Table 8 – Preferred values of a.c. test currents.34
Table 9 – Preferred values of impulse current.35
Table 10 – Standard parameters for figure 8 .35
Table 11 – Impedance values for longitudinal balance test.36
Table 12 – Test times for BER test .37
Table 13 – Connectable cross-sectional areas of copper conductors
for screw-type terminals or screwless-type terminals .38
Table 14 – Pulling force (screwless terminals) .38
Table 15 – Preferred values of test-time duration for high temperature
and humidity endurance.41
Table 16 – Preferred values of temperature and duration for environmental cycling tests.42

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
–––––––––––

LOW VOLTAGE SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES –

Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications
and signalling networks –
Performance requirements and testing methods



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 61643-21 has been prepared by subcommittee 37A: Low-voltage
surge protective devices, of IEC technical committee 37: Surge arresters.
This consolidated version of IEC 61643-21 consists of the first edition (2000) [documents
37A/101/FDIS and 37A/104/RVD], its amendment 1 (2008) [documents 37A/200/FDIS and
37A/201/RVD] and its corrigendum of March 2001.
The technical content is therefore identical to the base edition and its amendment and has
been prepared for user convenience.
It bears the edition number 1.1.
A vertical line in the margin shows where the base publication has been modified by
amendment 1.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – 61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendments 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.

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this International Standard is to identify the requirements for Surge Protective
Devices (SPDs) used in protecting telecommunication and signalling systems, for example,
low-voltage data, voice, and alarm circuits. All of these systems may be exposed to the
effects of lightning and power line faults, either through direct contact or induction. These
effects may subject the system to overvoltages or overcurrents or both, whose levels are
sufficiently high to harm the system. SPDs are intended to provide protection against
overvoltages and overcurrents caused by lightning and power line faults. This standard
describes tests and requirements which establish methods for testing SPDs and determining
their performance.
The SPDs addressed in this International Standard may contain overvoltage protection
components only, or a combination of overvoltage and overcurrent protection components.
Protection devices containing overcurrent protection components only are not within the
coverage of this standard. However, devices with only overcurrent protection components are
covered in annex A.
An SPD may comprise several overvoltage and overcurrent protection components. All SPDs
are tested on a "black box" basis, i.e., the number of terminals of the SPD determines the
testing procedure, not the number of components in the SPD. The SPD configurations are
described in 1.2. In the case of multiple line SPDs, each line may be tested independently of
the others, but there may also be a need to test all lines simultaneously.
This standard covers a wide range of testing conditions and requirements; the use of some of
these is at the discretion of the user. How the requirements of this standard relate to the
different types of SPD is described in 1.3. Whilst this is a performance standard and certain
capabilities are demanded of the SPDs, failure rates and their interpretation are left to the
user. Selection and application principles are covered in IEC 61643-22.
If the SPD is known to be a single component device, it has to meet the requirements of the
relevant standard as well as those in this standard.

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
– 8 – 61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008
LOW VOLTAGE SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES –

Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications
and signalling networks –
Performance requirements and testing methods



1 General
1.1 Scope
This International Standard is applicable to devices for surge protection of telecommunications
and signalling networks against indirect and direct effects of lightning or other transient
overvoltages.
The purpose of these SPDs is to protect modern electronic equipment connected to
telecommunications and signalling networks with nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V
(r.m.s.) a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.
1.2 SPD configurations
The SPD configurations described in this standard are shown in figure 1. Each SPD
configuration is composed of one or more voltage-limiting components and may include
current-limiting components.

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008 – 9 –


X1
SPD
(V)
X2
IEC  549/08

Figure 1a – Two-terminal SPD

X1

SPD SPD
X1 Y1
C
(V, I)
(V)
C X2
IEC  550/08 IEC  551/08

Figure 1b – Three-terminal SPD Figure 1c – Three-terminal SPD


X1 Y1
SPD
(V, I)
X2 Y2

X1 Y1
SPD
(V, I)
Y2
X2
C
IEC  552/08
IEC  553/08


Figure 1d – Four-terminal SPD Figure 1e – Five-terminal SPD


Y1
X1
X2
Y2
SPD
(V, I )
Yn
Xn
a
C
IEC  554/08


a

The common terminal C may not be provided.
Figure 1f – Multi-terminal SPD
Key
V voltage-limiting component
V, I voltage-limiting components or a combination of voltage-limiting and current-limiting components
X1, X2.Xn line terminals
Y1, Y2…Yn protected line terminals
C common terminal
Figure 1 – SPD configurations

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
– 10 – 61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008
1.3 Use of this standard
This standard considers two basic types of SPD.
The first type of SPD contains at least one voltage-limiting component and no current-limiting
component(s) in a housing. All the SPD configurations of figure 1 can be of this type. These
SPDs shall satisfy the requirements of 5.1, 5.2.1 and 5.3 (see table 1). The SPDs shown in
figures 1b, 1d, 1e and 1f may contain a linear component between the line terminal and
the corresponding protected line terminal. These SPDs shall also satisfy the applicable
requirements of 5.2.2.
The second type of SPD contains both voltage-limiting and current-limiting components in a
housing. SPD configurations shown in figures 1b, 1d, 1e, and 1f are applicable for SPDs with
both voltage-limiting and current-limiting components. This type of SPD shall satisfy the
requirements of 5.1, 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and 5.3 (see table 1). Configurations of protective devices
having only current-limiting components are covered in annex A.
SPDs may need to satisfy additional requirements depending on the application. The
additional requirements are described in 5.2.3 and 5.4 (see table 1).
Subclause 5.2.3 provides transmission tests that SPDs may need to conform to, depending on
their communication and signalling application. Selection of the applicable transmission tests
from 5.2.3 shall be made, based on the intended application of the SPDs. Table 1 provides
general guidance on how to select the applicable transmission tests.
Subclause 5.4 provides the environmental requirements when the SPDs are intended only for
use in uncontrolled environments as described in 4.1. SPDs shall satisfy these requirements
after an agreement between the user and the manufacturer. Table 1 provides examples of
what requirements different types of SPD shall satisfy.

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------
61643-21 © IEC:2000+A1:2008 – 11 –
Table 1 – General SPD requirements
Test Sub-
Requirement – Test Type of SPD
4
series clause
1 General test 6.1
Identification and
 documentation 6.1.1 A A A A A A
 Marking 6.1.2 A A A A A A
 Transmission tests 6.2.3
 Capacitance 6.2.3.1 A O O O A O
 Insertion loss 6.2.3.2 O A A A O A
 Return loss 6.2.3.3 O O O A O O
 Longitudinal balance 6.2.3.4 O O O A O O
Bit Error Ratio (BER) 6.2.3.5 O O O O O O
 Near-end crosstalk (NEXT) 6.2.3.6 O O O A O O
 Mechanical tests 6.3
 Terminals and connectors 6.3.1 A A A A A A
 General testing procedure 6.3.1.1 A A A A A A
 Terminals with screws 6.3.1.2 A A A A A A
 Screwless terminals 6.3.1.3 A A A A A A
Insulating pierced
 connections 6.3.1.4 A A A A A A
Pull-out-test on SPD
terminals designed for
 single-core conductors 6.3.1.4.1 A A A A A A
Pull-out-test on SPD
terminals designed for multi-
 core cables and cords 6.3.1.4.2 A A A A A A
Mechanical strength
 (mounting) 6.3.2 A A A A A A
Resistance to ingress of
solid objects and to harmful
ingress of water 6.3.3 A A A A A A
Protection against direct
contact 6.3.4 A A A A A A
Fire resistance 6.3.5 A A A A A A




SPD with only voltage-
limiting function
SPD with both voltage-
limiting and current-
limiting functions
SPD with voltage-
limiting function and
linear component
between its terminals
SPD having both
voltage-limiting and
current-limiting
functions with enhanced
transmission
capabilities
SPD having only
voltage-limiting function
but intended for use in
extended range
environment
SPD having both
voltage-limiting and
current-limiting
function
...