IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015

Amendment 1 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating appliances

Amendement 1 - Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues - Sécurité - Partie 2-17: Exigences particulières pour les couvertures, coussins, vêtements et appareils chauffants souples analogues

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Jul-2015
• ICS: 13.120 - Domestic safety
• ICS: 97.040.50 - Small kitchen appliances
• Technical Committee: TC 61 - Safety of household and similar electrical appliances
• Drafting Committee: MT 15 - TC 61/MT 15
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 12-Oct-2022
• Completion Date: 26-Oct-2025

Relations

• Amends: IEC 60335-2-17:2012 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating appliances
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60335-2-17:2022 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating appliances
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015 is an essential international amendment developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances. Specifically, this amendment addresses particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing, and flexible heating appliances. The document updates the existing standards by setting stringent safety protocols and testing procedures to ensure the reliability and user safety of flexible heating products that utilize electrically conductive textiles and heating elements.

This amendment aims to enhance product safety in household flexible heating devices by adjusting marking instructions, improving testing conditions, and updating definitions and classifications. Compliance with IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015 is critical for manufacturers, testing organizations, and regulatory authorities dealing with electric heating appliances in textiles.

Key Topics

• Specific Requirements for Flexible Heating Appliances
  The amendment refines requirements for electrical blankets, heating pads, and clothing incorporating heating elements such as electro-conductive textiles. It clarifies definitions and sets forth uniform criteria for electrical and mechanical safety, usability, and endurance.

• Enhanced Safety Testing Procedures
  The document introduces updates to leakage current tests, abnormal operation simulations, and mechanical strength assessments specifically tailored for flexible parts that include electro-conductive textiles. These tests cover normal and worst-case scenarios, including folding, bunching of heating elements, and thermal insulation conditions.

• Marking and Instructions Updates
  The amendment mandates the use of ISO 7000 graphical symbols for care instructions such as "Do not wash," "Do not bleach," and "Do not dry clean." It also requires clear explanations of symbols in user manuals to promote consumer safety and proper appliance handling.

• Thermal and Electrical Performance Limits
  It stipulates limits on surface temperatures and temperature rise during operation and prolonged endurance testing to prevent overheating and ensure durability of heating elements, especially those with special characteristics like PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient).

• Material and Construction Considerations
  The amendment addresses the behavior and testing of insulation materials and electro-conductive textiles under elevated temperatures (up to 125 °C in specific cases). Flexibility and integrity of the insulation over the appliance’s lifecycle are key criteria.

• Voltage Classification and Testing Scope
  Differentiates testing procedures based on appliance class and voltage levels, particularly exempting some Class III appliances operating below 24 V from certain test requirements.

Applications

• Manufacturers of Electric Heating Blankets and Pads
  Ensuring compliance with this amendment assists product designers and manufacturers in meeting international safety norms, reducing risk of electrical hazards, and gaining market access worldwide.

• Testing Laboratories and Certification Bodies
  This standard serves as a technical reference for performing rigorous safety and reliability tests, validating product safety claims, and issuing certifications.

• Consumer Safety and Product Compliance
  Helps retailers and consumers identify products that meet recognized safety standards, enhancing confidence in electric heating textiles used for home comfort and therapeutic applications.

• Regulatory Agencies
  Provides an authoritative source for import controls and mandate enforcement on household flexible heating appliances.

Related Standards

• IEC 60335-1: Household and Similar Electrical Appliances - General Requirements
  Sets the basic safety requirements applicable to all household appliances, complementing Part 2-17's specific criteria.

• ISO 7000: Graphical Symbols for Use on Equipment
  Supplies the mandatory symbols referenced in this amendment for marking care instructions and warnings.

• IEC 60335-2-35: Particular Requirements for Motors and Controls of Household Appliances
  Relevant for heating pads and similar products using motor-driven components along with flexible heating elements.

• National Adoption and Modifications
  Many countries adopt IEC standards with region-specific adaptations; this amendment is intended for broad implementation within 12 to 36 months post-publication to allow smooth transition and compliance integration.

---

Adhering to IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015 ensures that household flexible heating appliances operate safely, efficiently, and reliably while providing clear labeling for proper use and care. The standard is indispensable for industry stakeholders committed to the highest international safety benchmarks in electrically heated textiles.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60335-2-17 ®
Edition 3.0 2015-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
A MENDMENT 1
AM ENDEMENT 1
Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety –
Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar
flexible heating appliances
Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues – Sécurité –
Partie 2-17: Exigences particulières pour les couvertures, coussins, vêtements
et appareils chauffants souples analogues

IEC 60335-2-17:2012-03/AMD1:2015-07(en-fr)

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 l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland 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.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in 15
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and additional languages. Also known as the International
iPad. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a More than 60 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical English and French extracted from the Terms and Definitions
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced clause of IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries
and withdrawn publications. have been collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37,

77, 86 and CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) 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 IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Catalogue IEC - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Application autonome pour consulter tous les renseignements
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne de termes électroniques et
bibliographiques sur les Normes internationales,
électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000 termes et définitions en
Spécifications techniques, Rapports techniques et autres
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
documents de l'IEC. Disponible pour PC, Mac OS, tablettes
15 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
Android et iPad.
Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

Recherche de publications IEC - www.iec.ch/searchpub
Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
Plus de 60 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, anglais et en français, extraites des articles Termes et
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les Définitions des publications IEC parues depuis 2002. Plus
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. certaines entrées antérieures extraites des publications des

CE 37, 77, 86 et CISPR de l'IEC.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
[e-mail].
IEC 60335-2-17 ®
Edition 3.0 2015-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
A MENDMENT 1
AM ENDEMENT 1
Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety –

Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar

flexible heating appliances
Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues – Sécurité –

Partie 2-17: Exigences particulières pour les couvertures, coussins, vêtements

et appareils chauffants souples analogues

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 13.120, 97.040.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-2782-4

– 2 – IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015
© IEC 2015
FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by IEC technical committee 61: Safety of household and
similar electrical appliances.
The text of this amendment is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
61/4834/CDV 61/4910/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the report
on voting indicated in the above table.
The committee has decided that the contents of this amendment and the base publication will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC website 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.
NOTE The attention of National Committees is drawn to the fact that equipment manufacturers and testing
organizations may need a transitional period following publication of a new, amended or revised IEC publication in
which to make products in accordance with the new requirements and to equip themselves for conducting new or
revised tests.
It is the recommendation of the committee that the content of this publication be adopted for implementation
nationally not earlier than 12 months or later than 36 months from the date of publication.
_____________
2 Normative references
Replace the reference to ISO 3758 by the following:
ISO 7000:2014, Graphical symbols for use on equipment – Registered symbols
3 Terms and definitions
3.101 Add "electro-conductive textile," after "heating element,".
3.104 Replace the existing text by the following:
3.104 Void
3.106 Add "electro-conductive textile," after "heating element,".
3.108 Replace the term definition by the following:
appliance for supporting the human body and which incorporates an upholstered flexible part
for heating the bed
Add the following Note 1 to entry:

© IEC 2015
Note 1 to entry: The appliance may be placed on the floor and referred to as a mat.
3.110 Replace the term definition by the following
heating conductor, including any core and insulation, together with any other integrated
conductor
3.116 Replace the term definition by the following:
material incorporating carbon or other conductive substance, together with any associated
insulation, which is connected to a pair of electrodes for the purpose of providing a heated
surface
5 General conditions for the tests
5.2 Add the following to the addition:
For appliances having a flexible part incorporating electro-conductive textile and a
working voltage above 24 V, an additional sample may be required for the test of 21.113.2
and a 1 m length of sheet insulation will be required for the test of 21.113.1.
5.3 Add the following to the replacement as a new second sentence to the paragraph
starting with “Appliance A…….”:
The tests of Clauses 13, 15 and 16 are not carried out on class III appliances having a rated
voltage not exceeding 24 V or on class III constructions having a working voltage not
exceeding 24 V.
5.5 Add the following after the first paragraph of the addition:
If the construction of a mattress incorporates a separate flexible part that is detachable, the
detachable flexible part is tested as an underblanket.
6 Classification
6.1 Delete the second sentence of the modification.
7 Marking and instructions
7.1 Add the following as a new fourth dashed item to the fifth paragraph of the addition:
– symbol ISO 7000-3114 (2012-04) and symbol ISO 7000-3124 (2012-04);

– 4 – IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015
© IEC 2015
7.6 Replace the symbols in the addition by the following:
[symbol ISO 7000-3114 (2012-04)] Do not dry clean

[symbol ISO 7000-3123 (2012-04)] Do not wash

[symbol ISO 7000-3124 (2012-04)] Do not bleach

[symbol ISO 7000-3125 (2012-04)] Wash by hand

Not to be used by very young children (0-3 years)

7.12 Replace the first sentence and the second sentence of the third paragraph of the
addition starting “The instructions shall contain …” by "When the symbols of Figure 101,
Figure 102 or those in the addition to 7.6 are used, they shall be explained".
Delete the fifth paragraph of the addition starting with “The instructions for
underblankets.”.
In the third to last paragraph of the addition replace "guardian, or unless the child" by
"guardian, and unless the child".
11 Heating
11.2 In the second paragraph of the addition, replace "Wraps" by "Wraps, other than those
having heating elements with PTC characteristics,".
11.3 Replace the second paragraph by the following:
Thermocouples used for determining the temperature of the surface of electro-conductive
textiles are fixed by means of thin adhesive tape.
11.8 Replace the second sentence by the following:
If the flexible part is comprised of electro-conductive textile, the values specified for
heating elements are applicable to the surface of supplementary insulation or reinforced
insulation, or to the conductive surface if there is no insulation.

© IEC 2015
13 Leakage current and electric strength at operating temperature
13.1 Delete the modification.
15 Moisture resistance
15.1 Delete the second paragraph of the addition.
16 Leakage current and electric strength
16.1 Delete the addition.
19 Abnormal operation
19.1 Replace the second, third, fourth and fifth paragraphs of the modification by the
following:
Blankets are subjected to the tests of 19.102 and 19.108.
Pads are subjected to the tests of 19.108, and 19.110. Controlled pads are also subjected to
the tests of 19.109.
Mattresses are subjected to the tests of 19.108 and 19.113
19.13 In the fourth paragraph, add "or electro-conductive textiles" after "heating
elements".
19.101 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.101 Void
19.102 Replace the existing text by the following:
Blankets are operated under normal operation except that the flexible part is uncovered
and folded at the most unfavourable place with a five-thickness fold having the most
unfavourable dimensions. A sheet of thermal insulation as specified in Annex AA, having
dimensions of 300 m × 450 mm × 72 mm, is placed on the folded blanket at the most
unfavourable location. An evenly distributed mass of 5 kg is placed on the sheet of thermal
insulation.
The widths of each fold may be different and a sandbag may be used as the mass.
If the blanket cannot be folded with five thicknesses, it is tested as a mattress.
The appliance is supplied with a voltage at the upper limit of the range specified in 19.1.

– 6 – IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015
© IEC 2015
19.103 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.103 Void
19.104 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.104 Void
19.105 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.105 Void
19.106 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.106 Void
19.107 In the first sentence replace "19.101 to 19.106" by "19.102, 19.110 and 19.113".
Delete "of the fold" at the end of the first sentence.
19.109 In the first line replace "Pads" by "Controlled pads".
19.110 Replace this subclause by the following:
19.110 Pads are operated under normal operation except that the flexible part is
uncovered and folded at the most unfavourable place with a three-thickness fold having the
most unfavourable dimensions. A sheet of thermal insulation as specified in Annex AA, having
dimensions of 300 mm × 450 mm × 72 mm, is placed on the folded pad at the most
unfavourable location. An evenly distributed mass of 5 kg is placed on the sheet of thermal
insulation.
The widths of each fold may be different and a sandbag may be used as the mass.
Add the following new subclause:
19.113 Mattresses are operated under normal operation except that the flexible part is
uncovered and five runs of the heating element are bunched together in the most
unfavourable way. Sufficient material of the permanent enclosure of the flexible part is
removed at the most unfavourable location to get access to the heating element runs. The
heating element runs are bunched over a length of 150 mm and secured by thin high-
temperature tape which is not to be overlapped more than once. A sheet of thermal insulation
as specified in Annex AA, having dimensions of 300 mm × 450 mm × 72 mm, is placed on the
bunched heating element at the most unfavourable location. An evenly distributed mass of
5 kg is placed on the sheet of thermal insulation. A sandbag may be used as the mass.
If the construction does not allow the heating element runs to be bunched together, the
heating element assembly is removed from the mattress and subjected to the test of 19.102.
21 Mechanical strength
21.1 In the first dashed item of the third paragraph of the addition, replace "busbars" by
"electrodes" (in 2 places) and replace "material" by "textile".

© IEC 2015
In the third paragraph of the addition, add the following after the first dashed item:
– breakage of any conductive thread of electro-conductive textiles;
In the existing first dashed item of the third paragraph of the addition replace the 2 dot items
by dashed items and print in italics.
21.2 Add the following to the addition:
except those incorporating electro-conductive textile having a working voltage above 24 V.
21.105 Replace the subclause by the following:
21.105 Appliances are operated continuously under the conditions specified in Clause 11.
Non-controlled appliances and controlled appliances having a metallic temperature sensor
are tested for 500 h. Other appliances are operated for 1 000 h. The surface temperature of
the flexible part of controlled appliances is measured under steady conditions at the
beginning and at the end of this period. It shall not have increased by more than 5 K.
For appliances with heating elements with PTC characteristics, the test is carried out with
the flexible part fully covered with a sheet of thermal insulation, as specified in Annex AA,
having a thickness of 90 mm. However, the temperature of the heating element with PTC
characteristic is measured after 100 h and at the end of the test under the conditions
specified in Clause 11. It shall not have increased by more than 5 K.
21.111 Add the following to the requirement:
The requirement does not apply to Class III appliances having a rated voltage not
exceeding 24 V or to Class III constructions having a working voltage not exceeding 24 V.
21.111.1 Add the following as a new third paragraph:
The diameter of the pulley is increased to 60 mm and the initial load to 0,5 kg for heating
elements with PTC characteristics used in mattresses. The width and form of the groove of
the pulley are to be appropriate for the sample under test.
21.111.2 At the end of the first paragraph, replace "only the outer layer is removed." by "only
the outer layer is pulled off and tested."
Add the following subclauses:
21.113 The insulation of flexible parts incorporating electro-conductive textile shall retain
adequate flexibility and insulating characteristics throughout the life of the appliance. The
requirement does not apply to Class III appliances having a rated voltage not exceeding
24 V or to Class III constructions having a working voltage not exceeding 24 V.
Compliance is checked by the tests of 21.113.1 and 21.113.2 when the insulation exceeds
– a temperature of 75 °C for controlled appliances or a temperature rise of 50 K for other
appliances during the test of Clause 11; or
– a temperature of 135 °C for controlled appliances or a temperature rise of 110 K for
other appliances during the tests of Clause 19.
The tests are carried out on new samples of the flexible part.

– 8 – IEC 60335-2-17:2012/AMD1:2015
© IEC 2015
21.113.1 Twelve samples having the shape as shown in Figure 114 are stamped from the
supplementary insulation or reinforced insulation, six from the longitudinal direction and
six from the lateral direction. If the insulation is integrated with the fabric supporting the
conductive threads, the test is not carried out.
Three samples from each direction are conditioned by suspending them vertically so that they
hang freely in a heating cabinet, having forced air circulation, at a temperature of
125 °C ± 2 °C for 336 h. The samples are removed from the cabinet and allowed to cool down
to room temperature. When the material has stabilized, the length of the samples is measured
and shall not be less than 90 % of the original length.
The 12 samples are placed in a tensile machine in turn. The machine is operated at a uniform
speed of 500 mm/min ± 50 mm/min. The force and elongation at the instant of rupture are
determined.
The elongation of each of the unconditioned samples shall not be less than 100 % and their
tensile strength shall not be less than 8,75 MPa.
The average value of both the elongation and the tensile strength of the conditioned samples
shall not be less than 75 % of the average value determined for the unconditioned samples.
21.113.2 Twelve samples having dimensions 200 mm × 100 mm are cut from the electro-
conductive textile, any other covering being removed. At least one sample is to include a
portion of electrode. The samples are then tightly rolled on a metal mandrel having a diameter
of 25 mm along the line of the conductive threads, if any. The roll may be held together by
suitable tape.
They are then placed in a heating cabinet having forced air circulation at a temperature of
125 °C ± 2 °C for 336 h. The samples are removed from the cabinet and allowed to cool down
to room temperature. They are then unwound and removed from the mandrel.
A sample is then placed centrally on a metal plate having dimensions of 180 mm × 80 mm and
a similar plate placed on top and weighted so that the applied mass is 5 kg. The sample is
then subjected to the electric strength test of 16.3. The other 11 samples are then tested in
the same way in turn.
Inspection shall show th
...