Plug and Socket-Outlet Test Solution IEC60884-1

 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 VDE0620-1 Plug and socket-outlet test gauges TIS166-2549 Plug and socket-outlet test gauges SNAS164-1 plug and socket-outlet test gauges AS/NZS3112 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) Electrical indicator Test probe 11 (straight unjointed test finger) Compression test apparatus (figure 6)
10.5 shuttered socket-outlets	Gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters (figure 7) Gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters, and of live parts of socket-outlets with increased protection (figure 8) Electrical indicator
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	Test probe 1
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)	Heating cabinet Test probe 11
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 Single-pin gauges
16.2 protection provided by enclosures	IP code test probe kits (subclauses 16.2.2.2 & 16.2.2.3) Dust chamber (subclause 16.2.2.3) Test wall (figure 18) IPX3/4 oscillating tube testing equipment (figure 19)
16.3 resistance to humidity	Temperature and humidity test chamber
Clause 17 insulation resistance and electric strength
17.2 test for measuring the insulation resistance	Insulation resistance tester Test probe 11
17.3 electric strength test	withstand voltage tester
Clause 20 Breaking capacity	Plug and socket-outlet breaking capacity and normal operation testing machine (figures 22 and 23) Power load cabinet
Clause 21 Normal operation
Clause 22 Force necessary to withdraw the plug
22.2 verification of maximum withdrawal force	Maximum and minimum withdrawal force test apparatus (subclause 22.2.1 &figures 25 & 26)
22.3 Verification of the minimum withdrawal force
Clause 23 flexible cable and their connection
23.2 cord anchorage	Apparatus for cord retention testing (figure 27) Cord Anchorage Pull Force and Torque Tester
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	Pendulum hammer test apparatus
24.3 Tumble barrel test	Tumbling barrel test apparatus
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	Heating cabinet
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) Heating cabinet
Clause 27 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound
27.1 General	creepage distance caliper
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) Apparatus for testing resistance to abnormal heat of insulating sleeves (subclause 28.1.2 & figure 43)
28.2 resistance to tracking	tracking index tester
Clause 29 Resistance to rusting	Salt spray test chamber
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	Compression test apparatus
Figure 7 - gauge for checking non-accessibility of live parts, through shutters	Socket-outlet non-accessibility test probes
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	Apparatus for checking damage to conductors
Figure 14 - Information for deflection test	Test apparatus for deflection on screwless terminals
Figure 16 - Device for checking the resistance to lateral strain	Lateral strain test apparatus
Figure 17 - Device for testing pins which are not solid	Non-solid pin tester
Figure 22 - Example of apparatus for breaking capacity and normal operation test	Switch plug and socket-outlet life tester
Figure 25 - Apparatus for verification of maximum withdrawal force	Maximum and minimum withdrawal force test apparatus
Figure 26 - Gauge for the verification of minimum withdrawal force
Figure 27 - Apparatus for testing cord retention	Apparatus for cord retention testing
Figure 28 - Apparatus for flexing test	Power (supply) cord flexing test apparatus
Figure 30 - Apparatus for impact test at low temperature	Low temperature impact test apparatus
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	Test rod φ2.5mm-length 100mm
Figure 40 - Ball pressure test apparatus	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	Heat compression test apparatus
Figure 45 - Impact test apparatus on pins provided with insulating sleeves	Low temperature impact test apparatus
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