IEC 60695-4:2021
(Main)Fire hazard testing - Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
Fire hazard testing - Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
IEC 60695-4:2021 The terms and definitions in this part of IEC 60695 are applicable to fire tests for electrotechnical products.
This basic safety publication focusing on safety guidance is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of safety publications in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51. One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications. The requirements, test methods or test conditions of this basic safety publication will not apply unless specifically referred to or included in the relevant publications. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) The terms and definitions that are not specifically electrotechnical and that are either identical or equivalent to those in ISO 13943:2017 have been deleted.
b) The terms and definitions that are specifically electrotechnical and that are in ISO 13943:2017 have been included for the convenience of the user.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
Essais relatifs aux risques du feu - Partie 4: Terminologie relative aux essais au feu pour les produits électrotechniques
IEC 60695-4:2021 Les termes et définitions définis dans la présente partie de l'IEC 60695 sont applicables aux essais au feu pour les produits électrotechniques. La présente publication fondamentale de sécurité portant sur des recommandations de sécurité est avant tout destinée à être utilisée par les comités d’études dans le cadre de l'élaboration de publications de sécurité, conformément aux principes établis dans le Guide IEC 104 et le Guide ISO/IEC 51. L’une des responsabilités d’un comité d’études consiste, le cas échéant, à utiliser les publications fondamentales de sécurité dans le cadre de l’élaboration de ses publications. Les exigences, méthodes d’essai ou conditions d’essai de cette publication fondamentale de sécurité ne s’appliquent pas, sauf si elles sont spécifiquement citées en référence ou incluses dans les publications correspondantes. Cette cinquième édition annule et remplace la quatrième édition parue en 2012. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) Les termes et définitions qui ne concernent pas spécifiquement l'électrotechnique et qui sont soit identiques soit équivalents à ceux de l'ISO 13943:2017 ont été supprimés.
b) Les termes et définitions qui sont spécifiquement électrotechniques et qui figurent dans l'ISO 13943:2017 ont été inclus dans un souci de commodité pour l'utilisateur.
Elle a le statut d’une publication fondamentale de sécurité conformément au Guide IEC 104 et au Guide ISO/IEC 51.
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Fire hazard testing –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
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About the IEC
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IEC 60695-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2021-06
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
HORIZONTAL PUBLICATION
Fire hazard testing –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 01.040.13; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-9941-8
– 2 – IEC 60695-4:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
3.1 Use of the term “item” . 6
3.2 Other terms and definitions . 6
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests
for electrotechnical products
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.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes made to
the previous edition IEC 60695-4:2012. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.
– 4 – IEC 60695-4:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
International Standard IEC 60695-4 has been prepared by of IEC technical committee 89: Fire
hazard testing.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) The terms and definitions that are not specifically electrotechnical and that are either
identical or equivalent to those in ISO 13943:2017 have been deleted.
b) The terms and definitions that are specifically electrotechnical and that are in
ISO 13943:2017 have been included for the convenience of the user.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
89/1462/CDV 89/1502/RVC
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.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104 and
ISO/IEC Guide 51.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60695 series, under the general title Fire hazard testing, can
be found on the IEC website.
The following introductory elements represent a series of publications:
Part 1: Guidance for assessing the fire hazard of electrotechnical products
Part 2: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
Part 5: Corrosion damage effects of fire effluent
Part 6: Smoke obscuration
Part 7: Toxicity of fire effluent
Part 8: Heat release
Part 9: Surface spread of flame
Part 10: Abnormal heat
Part 11: Test flames
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/standardsdev/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.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates that it
contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its
contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.
– 6 – IEC 60695-4:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests
for electrotechnical products
1 Scope
The terms and definitions in this part of IEC 60695 are applicable to fire tests for
electrotechnical products.
This basic safety publication is focusing on safety guidance is primarily intended for use by
technical committees in the preparation of standards safety publications in accordance with
the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of
basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications. The requirements, test
methods or test conditions of this basic safety publication will not apply unless specifically
referred to or included in the relevant publications.
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 60050 (all parts), International Electrotechnical vocabulary (available at
www.electropedia.org)
IEC Guide 104:2010, The preparation of safety publications and the use of basic safety
publications and group safety publications
IEC 60050, International Electrotechnical vocabulary
ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
ISO 13943:20082017, Fire safety – Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
3.1 Use of the term "item"
For the purposes of this document, the English term "item" is used in a general meaning to
represent any single object or assembly of objects, and may cover, for example, material,
product, assembly, structure or building, as required in the context of any individual definition.
If the "item" under consideration is a test specimen then the term "test specimen" is used.
3.2 Other terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
NOTE Terms and definitions that are specifically electrotechnical and that are in ISO 13943:20082017 have been
included below for the convenience of the user.
3.2.1
abnormal heat
heat that is additional to that resulting from use under normal conditions,
up to and including that which causes a fire
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:20082017,4.13.1]
3.2.2
arc resistance
ability of an electrically insulating material to resist the influence of an
electric arc, under specified conditions
Note 1 to entry The arc resistance is identified by the length of the arc, the absence or presence of a conducting
path, and the burning or damage of the test specimen.
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:20082017, 4.133.19]
3.2.3
arc tracking
tracking
progressive formation of conducting paths that are produced on the
surface and/or within a solid insulating material, due to the combined effects of electric stress
and electrolytic contamination
SEE: tracking resistance (3.2.27)
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term tracking resistance (3.2.20).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:20082017,4.3423.406]
3.2.4
confirmatory test
procedure intended as a diagnostic indicator to reveal anomalous behaviour or conditions in a
test flame, burner or associated hardware
3.2.5
enclosure
housing affording the type and degree of protection suitable for the intended application
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-195:1998, 195-02-35]
3.2.5
enclosure
external casing protecting the electrical and mechanical parts of apparatus
Note 1 to entry: This term excludes cables.
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:20082017, 4.783.93]
3.2.6
en
...
IEC 60695-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2021-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fire hazard testing –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
Essais relatifs aux risques du feu –
Partie 4: Terminologie relative aux essais au feu pour les produits
électrotechniques
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
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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 online collection - oc.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
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced have 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 22 000 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and
and French, with equivalent terms in 18 additional languages.
once 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: sales@iec.ch.
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IEC 60695-4 ®
Edition 5.0 2021-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fire hazard testing –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
Essais relatifs aux risques du feu –
Partie 4: Terminologie relative aux essais au feu pour les produits
électrotechniques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 01.040.13; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-9906-7
– 2 – IEC 60695-4:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
3.1 Use of the term “item” . 5
3.2 Other terms and definitions . 5
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests
for electrotechnical products
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 60695-4 has been prepared by of IEC technical committee 89: Fire
hazard testing.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) The terms and definitions that are not specifically electrotechnical and that are either
identical or equivalent to those in ISO 13943:2017 have been deleted.
b) The terms and definitions that are specifically electrotechnical and that are in
ISO 13943:2017 have been included for the convenience of the user.
– 4 – IEC 60695-4:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
89/1462/CDV 89/1502/RVC
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.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104 and
ISO/IEC Guide 51.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60695 series, under the general title Fire hazard testing, can
be found on the IEC website.
The following introductory elements represent a series of publications:
Part 1: Guidance for assessing the fire hazard of electrotechnical products
Part 2: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for electrotechnical products
Part 5: Corrosion damage effects of fire effluent
Part 6: Smoke obscuration
Part 7: Toxicity of fire effluent
Part 8: Heat release
Part 9: Surface spread of flame
Part 10: Abnormal heat
Part 11: Test flames
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/standardsdev/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.
FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests
for electrotechnical products
1 Scope
The terms and definitions in this part of IEC 60695 are applicable to fire tests for
electrotechnical products.
This basic safety publication focusing on safety guidance is primarily intended for use by
technical committees in the preparation of safety publications in accordance with the
principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of
basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications. The requirements, test
methods or test conditions of this basic safety publication will not apply unless specifically
referred to or included in the relevant publications.
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 60050 (all parts), International Electrotechnical vocabulary (available at
www.electropedia.org)
IEC Guide 104, The preparation of safety publications and the use of basic safety publications
and group safety publications
ISO/IEC Guide 51, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
ISO 13943:2017, Fire safety – Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
3.1 Use of the term "item"
For the purposes of this document, the English term "item" is used in a general meaning to
represent any single object or assembly of objects, and may cover, for example, material,
product, assembly, structure or building, as required in the context of any individual definition.
If the "item" under consideration is a test specimen then the term "test specimen" is used.
3.2 Other terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain
...
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