IEC 60974-9:2018

Arc welding equipment - Part 9: Installation and use

IEC 60974-9:2018 is also available as IEC 60974-9:2018 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60974-9:2018 is applicable to requirements for installation and instructions for use of equipment for arc welding and allied processes designed in accordance with safety requirements of IEC 60974-1, IEC 60974-6 or equivalent. This standard cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of a new Clause 8;
- addition of interpolation details in Table 1.

Matériel de soudage à l'arc - Partie 9: Installation et utilisation

IEC 60974-9:2018 est disponible sous forme de IEC 60974-9:2018 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.
L'IEC 60974-9:2018 est applicable aux exigences relatives à l’installation et aux instructions d’utilisation du matériel pour le soudage à l’arc et les procédés connexes conçus dans le respect des exigences de sécurité de l’IEC 60974-1, de l’IEC 60974-6 ou équivalent. La présente norme annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2010. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- ajout d’un nouvel Article 8;
- ajout de détails relatifs à l’interpolation au Tableau 1.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Apr-2018
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 25.160.30 - Welding equipment
• ICS: 31.080.01 - Semiconductor devices in general
• ICS: 31.260 - Optoelectronics. Laser equipment
• ICS: 33.180.01 - Fibre optic systems in general
• Technical Committee: TC 26 - Electric welding
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Completion Date: 27-Apr-2018

Standards Content (sample)

IEC 60974-9
Edition 2.0 2018-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Arc welding equipment –
Part 9: Installation and use
Matériel de soudage à l’arc –
Partie 9: Installation et utilisation
IEC 60974-9:2018-04(en-fr)
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 60974-9
Edition 2.0 2018-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Arc welding equipment –
Part 9: Installation and use
Matériel de soudage à l’arc –
Partie 9: Installation et utilisation
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 25.160.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-5635-0

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

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

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 4

1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 6

2 Normative references ....................................................................................................... 6

3 Terms and definitions....................................................................................................... 6

4 Installation ....................................................................................................................... 8

4.1 General ................................................................................................................... 8

4.2 Supply circuit .......................................................................................................... 8

4.2.1 Selection of supply cables .............................................................................. 8

4.2.2 Supply disconnecting device ........................................................................... 8

4.2.3 Emergency stopping device ............................................................................ 9

4.3 Welding circuit ........................................................................................................ 9

4.3.1 Isolation from the input supply ........................................................................ 9

4.3.2 Summation of no-load voltages ...................................................................... 9

4.3.3 Welding cables .............................................................................................. 9

4.3.4 Connection between the welding power source and the workpiece ................ 10

4.3.5 Earthing of the workpiece ............................................................................. 11

4.3.6 Location of gas cylinders .............................................................................. 11

5 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) .............................................................................. 12

5.1 General ................................................................................................................. 12

5.2 Assessment of area .............................................................................................. 12

5.3 Methods of reducing emissions ............................................................................. 12

5.3.1 Public supply system .................................................................................... 12

5.3.2 Maintenance of arc-welding equipment ......................................................... 12

5.3.3 Welding cables ............................................................................................ 13

5.3.4 Equipotential bonding ................................................................................... 13

5.3.5 Earthing of the workpiece ............................................................................. 13

5.3.6 Screening and shielding ............................................................................... 13

6 Electromagnetic fields (EMF) ......................................................................................... 13

6.1 General ................................................................................................................. 13

6.2 Assessment of exposure ....................................................................................... 14

7 Use................................................................................................................................ 14

7.1 General requirements ............................................................................................ 14

7.2 Connection between several welding power sources .............................................. 14

7.3 Inspection and maintenance of the welding installation .......................................... 14

7.3.1 Periodical inspection .................................................................................... 14

7.3.2 Routine inspection ........................................................................................ 15

7.4 Disconnection of welding power sources and/or welding circuits ............................ 15

7.5 Guards .................................................................................................................. 15

7.6 Information for operators ....................................................................................... 15

7.7 Protective measures .............................................................................................. 15

7.7.1 Extraneous conductive parts in the welding area ........................................... 15

7.7.2 Protection against electric shock .................................................................. 15

7.8 Isolation of the welding circuit from the workpiece and earth when not in use ......... 16

7.9 Voltage between electrode holders or torches ........................................................ 16

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IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018 – 3 –

7.10 Welding in an environment with increased risk of electric shock ............................. 18

7.11 Use of shoulder slings ........................................................................................... 18

7.12 Welding at elevated positions ................................................................................ 19

7.13 Welding with suspended welding equipment .......................................................... 19

8 Battery-powered welding power sources ......................................................................... 19

8.1 Safety recommendations ....................................................................................... 19

8.2 Transportation ....................................................................................................... 19

Annex A (informative) Hazards associated with arc welding .................................................. 20

A.1 General ................................................................................................................. 20

A.2 Equipment condition and maintenance ................................................................... 20

A.3 Operation .............................................................................................................. 20

A.4 Training ................................................................................................................ 20

A.5 Arc radiation.......................................................................................................... 20

A.5.1 General ........................................................................................................ 20

A.5.2 Eye and face protection (see also A.9) ......................................................... 21

A.5.3 Body protection (see also A.9) ...................................................................... 21

A.5.4 Protection of persons in the vicinity of an arc ................................................ 21

A.6 EMF ...................................................................................................................... 21

A.6.1 General ........................................................................................................ 21

A.6.2 Body protection ............................................................................................ 21

A.6.3 Protection of persons in the vicinity of the welding operation ......................... 21

A.7 Welding fume ........................................................................................................ 21

A.8 Noise .................................................................................................................... 22

A.9 Fire and explosion ................................................................................................. 24

A.9.1 General ........................................................................................................ 24

A.9.2 Fire .............................................................................................................. 24

A.9.3 Explosion ..................................................................................................... 24

A.10 General protective clothing .................................................................................... 24

A.11 Confined spaces ................................................................................................... 24

Annex B (informative) Voltage drops in the welding circuit .................................................... 26

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 28

Figure 1 – Example of DC voltage between electrode holders or torches ................................ 17

Figure 2 – Example of AC voltage between electrode holders or torches – Single-phase

supply from the same pair of lines of a three-phase mains supply .......................................... 17

Figure 3 – Example of AC voltage between electrode holders or torches – Single-phase

supply from different pairs of lines of a three-phase mains supply .......................................... 17

Figure 4 – Example of AC voltage between electrode holders connected between

different lines of output .......................................................................................................... 18

Figure A.1 – Steps for the control of welding fumes ............................................................... 23

Figure A.2 – Example steps of operation for work in confined spaces .................................... 25

Figure B.1 – Example of MIG/MAG equipment ....................................................................... 26

Table 1 – Current ratings for copper welding cables ............................................................... 10

Table B.1 – Voltage drop in copper and aluminium welding cables at normal and

elevated temperatures ........................................................................................................... 27

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– 4 – IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ARC WELDING EQUIPMENT –
Part 9: Installation and use
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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2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international

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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National

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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.

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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 60974-9 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 26: Electric

welding.

This standard cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes

a technical revision.

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous

edition:
a) addition of a new Clause 8;
b) addition of interpolation details in Table 1.
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IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018 – 5 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
26/648/FDIS 26/649/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the

report on voting indicated in the above table.

This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

In this standard, the following print types are used:
– terms defined in Clause 3: in bold type.

A list of all the parts of the IEC 60974 series can be found, under the general title Arc welding

equipment, on the IEC website.

The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the

stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to

the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018
ARC WELDING EQUIPMENT –
Part 9: Installation and use
1 Scope

This document is applicable to requirements for installation and instructions for use of

equipment for arc welding and allied processes designed in accordance with safety

requirements of IEC 60974-1, IEC 60974-6 or equivalent.

This document is applicable for the guidance of instructors, operators, welders, managers, and

supervisors in the safe installation and use of equipment for arc welding and allied processes

and the safe performance of welding and cutting operations.
National and local regulations take precedence over this document.
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 60245-6, Rubber insulated cables – Rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 6:

Arc welding electrode cables
IEC 60755, General requirements for residual current operated protective devices
IEC 60974-1, Arc welding equipment – Part 1: Welding power sources
IEC 60974-4, Arc welding equipment – Part 4: Periodic inspection and testing
IEC 60974-11, Arc welding equipment – Part 11: Electrode holders

IEC 60974-12, Arc welding equipment – Part 12: Coupling devices for welding cables

IEC 60974-13, Arc welding equipment – Part 13: Welding clamp
3 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
3.1
welding circuit
conductive material through which the welding current is intended to flow
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IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018 – 7 –
Note 1 to entry: In arc welding, the arc is a part of the welding circuit.

Note 2 to entry: In certain arc welding processes, the arc can be established between two electrodes. In such a

case, the workpiece is not necessarily a part of the welding circuit.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-14-10]
3.2
extraneous conductive part

conductive part not forming part of the electrical installation and liable to introduce an electric

potential, generally the earth potential
Note 1 to entry: Electrical installation includes the welding circuit.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-14-57]
3.3
workpiece
metal piece or pieces on which welding or allied processes are performed
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-11-19]
3.4
protective clothing
protective accessories

protective clothing and accessories (e.g. gloves, hand shields, head masks and filter lenses)

used in order to diminish electric shock risks and the effects of fume and spatter and to protect

the skin and eyes against arc radiation
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-11-18]
3.5
environment with increased risk of electric shock

environment where the hazard of electric shock by arc welding is increased in relation to

normal arc welding conditions
Note 1 to entry: Such environments are found for example

a) locations in which freedom of movement is restricted, so that the operator is forced to perform the welding in a

cramped (for example kneeling, sitting, lying) position with physical contact with conductive parts;

b) in locations which are fully or partially limited by conductive elements and in which there is a high risk of

unavoidable or accidental contact by the operator;

c) in wet, damp or hot locations where humidity or perspiration considerably reduces the skin resistance of the

human body and the insulating properties of protective accessories.

Note 2 to entry: Environments with increased risk of electric shock are not meant to include places where

electrically conductive parts in the near vicinity of the operator which can cause increased hazard have been

insulated.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-15-09]
3.6
expert
competent person
skilled person

person who can judge the work assigned and recognize possible hazards on the basis of

professional training, knowledge, experience and knowledge of the relevant equipment

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– 8 – IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018

Note 1 to entry: Several years of practice in the relevant technical field can be taken into consideration in

assessment of professional training.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-11-10]
3.7
wire feeder

equipment that delivers filler wire to the arc or weld zone which includes means to apply motion

to the filler wire

Note 1 to entry: The wire feeder may also include the wire-feed control, the filler wire supply, devices for gas

control, indicators and remote connectors.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-851:2008, 851-14-39]
4 Installation
4.1 General

Welding equipment used in arc welding installations shall be intended for the purpose as given

on the rating plate.

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements shall be taken into consideration during

installation, see Clause 5.

The requirements of national and local regulations shall be taken into consideration during

installation, including grounding or protective earth connections, fuses, supply disconnecting

device, type of supply circuit, etc.

Read the manufacturer's instruction manual before installing the equipment. Full use shall be

made of the technical information relevant to the welding equipment.

Specific advice may be obtained from the welding equipment manufacturer, if necessary.

4.2 Supply circuit
4.2.1 Selection of supply cables

Supply cables for welding equipment and their overload protection, if not provided by the

manufacturer, shall be selected in accordance with the information given in the manufacturer's

instruction manual.

NOTE Examples of local regulations are given in the Bibliography, e.g. EN 50525-2-21, Electrical code NFPA 70

(SE, SO, ST, STO or other extra hard usage cable) or CSA C22.1. PVC insulation has been proven not suitable for

the application.

Supply cables shall be placed so that they cannot be damaged in use. If that cannot be

achieved, a residual current device (RCD), capable of operating at a leakage current not

exceeding 30 mA in accordance with IEC 60755, shall be used to reduce the risk of electric

shock.
4.2.2 Supply disconnecting device

The installer shall ensure that a supply disconnecting device is fitted at the point of supply.

NOTE A plug can be used as supply disconnecting device in accordance with national or local regulation.

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IEC 60974-9:2018 © IEC 2018 – 9 –
4.2.3 Emergency stopping device

When an emergency stopping device is required by a national regulation (e.g. automatic

welding equipment), it shall conform to the relevant IEC standard.
For welding in an environment with increased risk of electric shock, see 7.10.
4.3 Welding circuit
4.3.1 Isolation from the input supply

The welding circuit and circuits electrically connected to the welding circuit shall be

electrically isolated from the mains supply.
Verification shall be carried out by an expert.
4.3.2 Summation of no-load voltages

If more than one welding power source is in use at the same time, their no-load voltages can

be cumulative and could create an increased hazard of electric shock. Welding power sources

shall be installed so as to minimize this risk. Guidance is given in 7.9.

NOTE In the case of two welding transformers connected to the same lines, the resulting output voltage can be

the sum of both no-load voltages. This can be avoided by using a suitable input or output connection (see 7.9).

Where more than one welding power source is installed
...