IEC 60884-1 is a standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for Part 1: General Requirements of plug-in devices and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes. The following is a detailed introduction.
Scope of Application
It applies to plug-in devices and fixed / movable socket-outlets for household and similar purposes, used indoors or outdoors. This standard applies plugs and fixed or portable socket-
outlets for AC only, with or without earthing contact, with a rated voltage greater than 50V but not exceeding 440V, and a rated current not exceeding 32A.
Key Content
1. Safety Performance
This section specifies safety performance requirements for plugs and socket-outlets, including:
· Electrical strength
· Insulation resistance
· Heat resistance
· Flame resistance
Purpose: To ensure user safety.
2. Structure and Dimensions
Requirements for the structure and dimensions of plugs and socket-outlets aim to:
· Ensure correct matching and connection.
· Prevent incorrect insertion or accidental disconnection.
Specifics:
· Clear specifications for pin sizes and shapes of plugs.
· Precise definitions for socket hole positions and spacing.
· Ensures compatibility of products from different manufacturers.
3. Materials
Materials used must have:
· Sufficient mechanical strength
· Reliable electrical performance
· Heat resistance
Examples:
· Housing materials must withstand impact and high temperatures, resisting deformation/cracking while maintaining good insulation.
· Conductive components must use metals with excellent conductivity to reduce resistance and heat generation.
4. Marking
Plugs and socket-outlets must bear clear markings, including:
· Rated voltage
· Rated current
· Manufacturer information
Purpose: Facilitates correct selection and use by users.
5. Environmental Adaptability
The standard considers product performance under varying environmental conditions, such as:
· Temperature
· Humidity
· Salt spray
Purpose: Ensure stable and reliable operation in different environments.
The IEC 60884-1 standard involves many testing equipment. The following table lists the testing equipment corresponding to the relevant clauses.
IEC60884-1:2022 Clauses and figures | Corresponding testing equipment from Pego |
Clause 9 Checking of dimension | BS1361 Plug and socket-outlet test gauges |
Clause 10 Protection against electric shock | |
10.2 accessibility of live parts during normal use | Test probe B (standard test finger) |
10.5 shuttered socket-outlets | Gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters (figure 7) |
Clause 12 Terminal and terminations | |
12.2 Terminals with screw clamps for external copper conductors | Apparatus for checking damage to conductors (subclauses 12.2.5 & 13.3.10 & figure 13) |
12.3 Screwless-type terminals for external copper conductors | Test apparatus for deflection on screwless terminals (subclause 12.3.12 & figure 14) |
Clause 13 Construction of fixed socket-outlets | |
13.4 connection of conductors | |
13.7 Protection against electric shock provided by covers, cover-plates | Standard test finger (subclause 13.7.3) |
13.14 lateral strain imposed by equipment | Lateral strain test apparatus (figure 16) |
13.22 fixing of membranes (grommets) | |
Clause 14 Construction of plugs and portable socket-outlets | |
14.2 mechanical strength of pins of portable accessories | Non-solid pin tester (figure 17) |
Clause 16 resistance to ageing, protection provided by enclosures, and resistance to humidity | |
16.1 resistance to ageing | Heating cabinet |
16.2 protection provided by enclosures | IP code test probe kits (subclauses 16.2.2.2 & 16.2.2.3) |
16.3 resistance to humidity | |
Clause 17 insulation resistance and electric strength | |
17.2 test for measuring the insulation resistance | |
17.3 electric strength test | |
Clause 20 Breaking capacity | Plug and socket-outlet breaking capacity and normal operation testing machine (figures 22 and 23) |
Clause 21 Normal operation | |
Clause 22 Force necessary to withdraw the plug | |
22.2 verification of maximum withdrawal for22.3 Verification of the minimum withdrawal force | Maximum and minimum withdrawal force test apparatus (subclause 22.2.1 &figures 25 & 26) |
Clause 23 flexible cable and their connection | |
23.2 cord anchorage | Apparatus for cord retention testing (figure 27) |
23.4 protection of cable entrance in the accessories | Power (supply) cord flexing test apparatus (figure 28) |
Clause 24 Mechanical strength | |
24.2 Impact test with pendulum hammer | |
24.3 Tumble barrel test | |
24.5 Impact test at low temperature | Apparatus for impact test at low temperature (figure 30) |
24.6 Compression test | Compression test apparatus (figure 6) |
24.8 Abrasion test on insulating sleeves of plug pins | Apparatus for abrasion test on insulating sleeves of plug pin (figure 31) |
24.11 Retention test for pins | Plug pins fixation verifying test apparatus (figure 33) |
24.12 Mechanical test for means for suspension of portable socket-outlets | Cylindrical steel rod (φ3mm-R1.5mm hemispherical end) (subclauses 24.12.1&24.12.2) |
24.17 Verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers | Test rod φ2.5mm-length 100mm (figure 38) |
24.18 Compression test on shrouds of portable socket-outlets | Heat compression test apparatus (figure 41) |
Clause 25 resistance to heat | |
25.2 basic heating test | |
25.3 Ball pressure test at 125℃ | Ball pressure test apparatus (figure 40) |
25.4 Ball-pressure test at 70℃ or higher | |
25.5 compression test | Heat compression test apparatus (figure 41) |
Clause 27 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound | |
27.1 General | |
Clause 28 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat, to fire and to tracking | |
28.1 resistance to abnormal heat and to fire | Glow-wire tester (subclause 28.1.2) |
28.2 resistance to tracking | |
Clause 29 Resistance to rusting | |
Clause 30 additional tests on pins provided with insulating sleeves | |
30.2 pressure test at high temperature | High temperature pressure test apparatus (figure 44) |
30.5 Impact test at low temperature | Low temperature impact test apparatus (figure 45) |
Annex B alternative gripping tests | Test apparatus for plug gripping test (figure B.2) |
Figures | |
Figure 6 - arrangement for compression test | |
Figure 7 - gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters | |
figure 8 - gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters, and of live parts of socket-outlets with increased protection | |
Figure 13 - Arrangement for checking damage to conductors | |
Figure 14 - Information for deflection test | |
Figure 16 - Device for checking the resistance to lateral strain | |
Figure 17 - Device for testing pins which are not solid | |
Figure 22 - Example of apparatus for breaking capacity and normal operation test | |
Figure 25 - Apparatus for verification of maximum withdrawal force | |
Figure 26 - Gauge for the verification of minimum withdrawal force | |
Figure 27 - Apparatus for testing cord retention | |
Figure 28 - Apparatus for flexing test | |
Figure 30 - Apparatus for impact test at low temperature | |
Figure 31 - Apparatus for abrasion test on insulating sleeves of plug pins | Apparatus for abrasion test on insulating sleeves of plug pin |
Figure 38 - Gauge for verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers | |
Figure 40 - Ball pressure test apparatus | |
Figure 41 - Apparatus for compression test for the verification of resistance to heat | |
Figure 43 - Apparatus for testing resistance to abnormal heat of insulating sleeves of plug pins | Apparatus for testing resistance to abnormal heat of insulating sleeves |
Figure 44 - Apparatus for pressure test at high temperature | |
Figure 45 - Impact test apparatus on pins provided with insulating sleeves | |
Figure B.1 - Reference plug for gripping test | Reference plug |
Figure B.2 - Example of the test apparatus for plug gripping test | Test apparatus for plug gripping test |