IEC 60968:2015

Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps for general lighting services - Safety requirements

IEC 60968:2015 specifies the safety and interchangeability requirements, together with the test methods and conditions required to show compliance of tubular fluorescent lamps with integrated means for controlling starting and stable operation (self-ballasted fluorescent lamps). This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition, where additions have been made to the following:
a) caps and prevention of cap misuse;
b) interchangeability;
c) mechanical and electrical strength;
d) creepage distances and clearances;
e) end of lamp life precaution;
f) abnormal operation;
g) test conditions for dimmable and three-way lamps;
h) water contact related marking;
i) verification, and assessment;
j) information for luminaire design in the form of annexes.
The contents of the corrigendum of March 2015 have been included in this copy.

Lampes à fluorescence à ballast intégré pour l'éclairage général - Règles de sécurité

L'IEC 60968:2015 spécifie les exigences de sécurité et d'interchangeabilité ainsi que les méthodes et les conditions d'essais exigés pour démontrer la conformité des lampes tubulaires à fluorescence à dispositif intégré d'amorçage et de stabilisation du fonctionnement (lampes à fluorescence à ballast intégré). Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition, parue en 2012. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. La présente édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente, avec des ajouts concernant:
a) les culots et la prévention de la mauvaise utilisation des culots;
b) l'interchangeabilité;
c) l'endurance mécanique et électrique;
d) les lignes de fuite et distances d'isolement;
e) les précautions sur la fin de la durée de vie des lampes;
f) le fonctionnement anormal;
g) les conditions d'essai pour les lampes à variation d'intensité et à trois intensités;
h) le marquage relatif au contact avec l'eau;
i) la vérification et évaluation;
j) les informations pour la conception du luminaire sous forme d'annexes.
Le contenu du corrigendum de mars 2015 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Feb-2015
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.140.30 - Fluorescent lamps. Discharge lamps
• Technical Committee: SC 34A - Electric light sources
• Drafting Committee: WG 6 - TC 34/SC 34A/WG 6
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 15-Feb-2015
• Completion Date: 05-Feb-2015

Relations

• Revises: IEC 60968:2012 - Self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services - Safety requirements
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60968
®

Edition 3.0 2015-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps for general lighting services – Safety
requirements

Lampes à fluorescence à ballast intégré pour l'éclairage général – Règles
de sécurité

IEC 60968:2015-02(en-fr)

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IEC 60968

®


Edition 3.0 2015-02




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE











Self-ballasted fluorescent lamps for general lighting services – Safety

requirements




Lampes à fluorescence à ballast intégré pour l'éclairage général – Règles

de sécurité
















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE




ICS 29.140.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-2244-7



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

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– 2 – IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 General requirements and general test requirements . 8
5 Marking . 8
5.1 Lamp marking . 8
5.2 Additional marking . 8
5.3 Compliance of marking . 9
5.4 Locations where marking is required (See Table 1) . 10
6 Interchangeability, mass and bending moment . 10
6.1 Interchangeability . 10
6.2 Bending moment and mass imparted by the lamp at the lampholder . 10
7 Protection against electric shock . 12
8 Insulation resistance and electric strength . 13
8.1 General . 13
8.2 Insulation resistance . 13
8.3 Electric strength . 13
9 Mechanical strength . 13
9.1 General . 13
9.2 Torsion resistance . 14
9.2.1 Torsion resistance of unused lamps . 14
9.2.2 Torsion resistance of lamps after a defined time of usage . 16
9.3 Axial strength of Edison caps . 16
10 Cap temperature rise . 17
11 Resistance to heat . 18
12 Resistance to flame and ignition. 19
13 Fault conditions . 20
13.1 General requirements . 20
13.2 Test conditions . 20
13.3 Test setup for non-starting lamp . 21
14 Creepage distances and clearances . 21
15 Lamp end of life . 21
15.1 General requirements . 21
15.2 Test setup . 21
15.3 Compliance . 22
16 Photobiological safety . 22
16.1 UV radiation . 22
16.2 Other photobiological effects . 22
17 Abnormal operation . 22
18 Test conditions for dimmable and three-way lamps . 23
19 Whole production assessment . 24
20 Collation of type test verification . 24
21 Information for luminaire design . 25

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IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015 – 3 –
Annex A (informative) Whole production assessment . 26
A.1 Assessment – General . 26
A.2 Whole production assessment by means of the manufacturer’s records . 26
Annex B (informative) Information for luminaire design . 28
B.1 Water contact . 28
Bibliography . 29

Figure 1 – Dimming not allowed . 9
Figure 2 – Lamp to be used in dry conditions or in a luminaire that provides protection . 9
Figure 3 – Sample test arrangement for bending moment imparted by the lamp at the
lampholder . 11
Figure 4 – Standard test finger (according to IEC 60529) . 12
Figure 5 – Holder for torsion test on lamps with screw caps . 15
Figure 6 – Holder for torsion test on lamps with bayonet caps . 15
Figure 7 – Test equipment for applying an axial force . 17
Figure 8 – Ball-pressure apparatus . 18
Figure 9 – Schematic diagram for non-starting lamp test . 21
Figure 10 – Test circuit for testing a non-dimmable lamp at a dimmer or electronic
switch . 23

Table 1 – Locations where marking is required . 10
Table 2 – Bending moments and masses . 11
Table 3 – Torsion test values for unused lamps . 16
Table 4 – Values for axial force . 17
Table 5 – Maximum cap temperature rise . 18
Table 6 – Sampling sizes for type test . 24
Table A.1 – Production assessment . 26

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– 4 – IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

SELF-BALLASTED FLUORESCENT LAMPS
FOR GENERAL LIGHTING SERVICES –
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

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
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with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
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2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
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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 60968 has been prepared by subcommittee 34A: Lamps, of IEC
technical committee 34: Lamps and related equipment.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition, where additions have been made to the following:
a) caps and prevention of cap misuse;
b) interchangeability;
c) mechanical and electrical strength;
d) creepage distances and clearances;
e) end of lamp life precaution;
f) abnormal operation;

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IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015 – 5 –
g) test conditions for dimmable and three-way lamps;
h) water contact related marking;
i) verification, and assessment;
j) information for luminaire design in the form of annexes.
The text of this third edition is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
34A/1811/FDIS 34A/1838/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.
In this standard, the following print types are used:
– Requirements proper: in roman type.
– Test specifications: in italic type.
– Explanatory matter: in smaller roman type.
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.
The contents of the corrigendum of March 2015 have been included in this copy.

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– 6 – IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015
SELF-BALLASTED FLUORESCENT LAMPS
FOR GENERAL LIGHTING SERVICES –
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS



1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the safety and interchangeability requirements, together
with the test methods and conditions required to show compliance of tubular fluorescent
lamps with integrated means for controlling starting and stable operation (self-ballasted
fluorescent lamps).
These lamps are intended for domestic and similar general lighting purposes, having a rated
voltage of 50 V to 250 V, having a rated frequency of 50 Hz or 60Hz and having IEC 60061-1
compliant caps.
For a cap-holder system not specifically mentioned in this standard, the relevant information
on safety related tests provided by the manufacturer will apply.
The requirements of this standard relate only to type testing.
Recommendations for whole product testing or batch testing are given in Annex A.
This part of the standard covers photobiological safety according to IEC 62471 and
IEC TR 62471-2. Blue light and infrared hazards are below the level which requires marking.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60061-1, Lamp caps and holders together with gauges for the control of
interchangeability and safety – Part 1: Lamp caps
IEC 60061-3, Lamp caps and holders together with gauges for the control of
interchangeability and safety – Part 3: Gauges
IEC 60360, Standard method of measurement of lamp cap temperature rise
IEC 60598-1, Luminaires – Part 1: General requirements and tests
IEC 60695-2-10, Fire hazard testing - Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-
wire apparatus and common test procedure
IEC 60695-2-11:2000, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –
Glow-wire flammability test method for end products
IEC 60901, Single-capped fluorescent lamps – Performance specifications
IEC 61199, Single-capped fluorescent lamps – Safety specifications

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IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015 – 7 –
IEC 61347-1:2015, Lamp controlgear – Part 1: General and safety requirements
ISO 4046-4:2002, Paper, board, pulp and related terms – Vocabulary – Part 4: Paper and
board grades and converted products
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply:
3.1
self-ballasted lamp
unit which cannot be dismantled without being permanently damaged, provided with a lamp
cap and incorporating a light source and any additional elements necessary for starting and
stable operation of the light source
3.2
nominal value
approximate quantity value used to designate or identify a lamp
[SOURCE: IEC 60901:1997, 1.4.3]
3.3
rated value
quantity value for a characteristic of a lamp for specified operating conditions
Note 1 to entry: The value and the conditions are specified in this standard, or assigned by the manufacturer or
responsible vendor.
[SOURCE: IEC 60901:1997, 1.4.4, modified — The second sentence is moved to a note to
entry.]
3.4
cap temperature rise
∆t
s
surface temperature rise (above ambient) of a standard test lampholder fitted to the lamp’s
cap, when measured in accordance with the standard method described in IEC 60360
[SOURCE: IEC 60432-1:1999, 1.3.8
3.5
live part
conductive part which may cause an electric shock in normal use
3.6
type test
test or series of tests made on a type test sample for the purpose of checking compliance of
the design of a given product with the requirements of the relevant standard
3.7
type test sample
sample consisting of one or more similar units submitted by the manufacturer or responsible
vendor for the purpose of the type test
3.8
specific effective radiant UV power
effective power of the UV radiation of a lamp related to its luminous flux

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– 8 – IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015
Note 1 to entry: The specific effective radiant UV power is expressed in mW/klm.
Note 2 to entry: The effective power of the UV radiation is obtained by weighting the spectral power distribution of
the lamp with the UV hazard function S (λ). Information about the relevant UV hazard function is given in
UV
IEC 62471. It only relates to possible hazards regarding UV exposure of human beings. It does not deal with the
possible influence of optical radiation on materials, like mechanical damage or discoloration.
3.9
test family
lamp groups which are distinguished by common features of materials relevant to the test
applied
4 General requirements and general test requirements
4.1 Self-ballasted lamps shall be so designed and constructed that in normal use they
function reliably and cause no danger to the user or surroundings.
In general, compliance is checked by carrying out all the tests specified.
4.2 All measurements unless otherwise specified in this standard, shall be carried out at
rated voltage and frequency and in a draught-proof room. The ambient temperature shall be
from 23 °C to 27 °C inclusive and shall not vary by more than 1 °C during the measurements.
If lamps are rated for alternative frequencies the test shall be carried out at the most onerous
of these.
The test voltages are specified in the relevant clauses.
4.3 Self-ballasted lamps are non-repairable, factory sealed units. They shall not be opened
for any tests with exemption of 13.2. In the case of substantiated doubt based on the
inspection of the lamp and the examination of the circuit diagram, and in agreement with the
manufacturer or responsible vendor, lamps specially prepared so that a fault condition can be
simulated shall be submitted for testing (see Clause 13 and Clause 15).
5 Marking
5.1 Lamp marking
The following information shall be marked on the lamp.
1) Mark of origin (this may take the form of a trademark, the manufacturer's name or the
name of the responsible vendor).
2) Rated voltage(s) or rated voltage range (marked "V" or "volts").
3) Rated power (marked "W" or "watts").
4) Rated frequency (frequencies) (marked in "Hz").
5) Any further information needed to identify the product type e.g. model number or type
reference.
5.2 Additional marking
In addition the following information shall be given by the lamp manufacturer either on the
lamp, the packaging or in the installation instructions.
1) Rated lamp current.
2) For lamps with a weight significantly higher than that of the lamps for which they are a
replacement, attention should be drawn to the fact that the increased weight may reduce
the mechanical stability of certain luminaires.

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IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015 – 9 –
3) Lamps that are not suitable for dimming shall be marked according to Figure 1 or be
provided with a written cautionary notice. The marking shall be provided on the packaging
or accompanying information and its height shall be at least 5 mm.
IEC

Figure 1 – Dimming not allowed
4) Lamps shall be marked with the symbol according to Figure 2. The marking shall be
provided on the packaging or accompanying information. The symbol is not needed if a
written cautionary notice is provided.


[SOURCE: IEC 60417-6179-1 (2014-10)]

Figure 2 – Lamp to be used in dry conditions or in a luminaire that provides protection

5.3 Compliance of marking
Compliance is checked by the following.
1) Presence and legibility of the marking required in 5.1 – by visual inspection.
2) The durability of the marking is checked by trying to remove it by rubbing lightly for 15 s
with a piece of cloth soaked in water. The marking shall be legible after the test.
3) Availability of information required in 5.2 – by visual inspection.

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– 10 – IEC 60968:2015 © IEC 2015
5.4 Locations where marking is required (See Table 1)
Table 1 – Locations where marking is required
Product
Product
Marking item Product datasheets
Packaging
or leaflets
Mark of origin x x x
Rated voltage(s) or rated voltage range x x x
Rated power x x x
Rated frequency x x x
Product identification x x x
Rated lamp current - x x
Access weight - x x
Dimming restriction - x x
Water contact prevention - x x
x = required
– = not required but optional

6 Interchangeability, mass and bending moment
6.1 Interchangeability
Interchangeability shall be ensured by the use of caps in accordance with IEC 60061-1.
Compliance of the finished lamp shall be checked by the use of gauges for checking the
dimensions controlling interchangeability in accordance with IEC 60061-3.
6.2 Bending moment and mass imparted by the lamp at the lampholder
The value of the bending moment, imparted by the lamp at the lampholder shall not exceed
the value given in Table 2. The bending moment shall be determined by measuring the
downward force of the lamp (e.g. by means of a scale) at the tip of the bulb of the horizontally
held lamp and multiplying this force by the distance between the tip of the bulb and the pivot
point. The pivot line shall lie at the bottom end of the cylindrical part (
...