Electrical Engineering Standards Summary – October 2025 (Part 2/5)

Looking back at October 2025, the Electrical Engineering sector continued its robust pace of standardization with a clear focus on updating safety measures, harmonizing equipment dimensions, and responding to evolving operational risks. This detailed overview—the second in our five-part series for the month—covers five impactful standards published across rotating machinery, surge protection for telecommunications, and electrical equipment used in hazardous environments. For busy professionals, this retrospective synthesis offers a valuable opportunity to catch up on critical releases, understand their implications, and prioritize compliance strategies moving forward.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 reflected sustained momentum in the Electrical Engineering domain’s standards development. The month’s portfolio notably reinforced harmonization among component dimensions for rotating machinery, expanded encapsulation and ignition protection in explosive atmospheres, and addressed the upsurge in interconnected telecom infrastructure with advanced surge requirements. Compared to previous publication cycles, October’s emphasis on detailed technical revisions, especially for larger-scale machines and hazardous area equipment, underscores an industry-wide drive for both operational resilience and regulatory alignment.

Noteworthy was the revision of standards last updated in the 1990s and 2000s, now modernized to tackle today’s scale, complexity, and digital integration. New or substantially revised editions hint at a maturing regulatory environment where legacy approaches are replaced by data-driven tolerancing, precise risk compartmentalization, and forward-compatible test frameworks. For engineers and compliance managers, this equivalently signals an increasing need for in-depth standard literacy and rapid implementation.

Standards Published This Month

EN IEC 60072-2:2025 – Dimensions and Output Series for Rotating Electrical Machines (Frame numbers 355 to 1000 & Flange numbers 1180 to 2360)

Dimensions and output series for rotating electrical machines – Part 2: Frame numbers 355 to 1 000 and flange numbers 1 180 to 2 360

EN IEC 60072-2:2025 brought a long-awaited overhaul to dimensional standardization for large rotating electrical machines used in industrial settings. Covering foot-mounted machines (shaft heights 355–1,000mm) and flange-mounted variants (flange diameter 1,180–2,360mm), it provides comprehensive tables and tolerances for fixing dimensions and shaft extensions. Major changes over the 1990 edition include alignment with EN IEC 60072-1 and additional tolerances/measurements referencing DIN SPEC 42955.

The standard addresses the broad diversity in construction and application for large machines, establishing a wide catalogue of values to encompass virtually all design types. For organizations involved in industrial drives, power generation, and heavy manufacturing, adherence supports both international procurement and internal design consistency. Equipment builders, OEMs, and utilities now gain a more detailed and unified framework, reducing interoperability risks and bolstering maintainability across fleets.

Key highlights:

• Replaces and extends previous dimensional limits for shaft heights and flange sizes
• Incorporates revised tolerance requirements drawn from DIN SPEC 42955
• Allows for greater design flexibility while ensuring standardized fitment and maintenance

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60072-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60079-18:2025 – Explosive Atmospheres, Equipment Protection by Encapsulation "m"

Explosive atmospheres – Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"

EN IEC 60079-18:2025 specifies the construction, testing, and marking requirements for electrical equipment—along with parts and components—protected by encapsulation "m" for use in explosive gas or dust atmospheres. New in this fifth edition is an alignment with general requirements of IEC 60079-0, plus notable technical revisions and updated interpretations. This edition supersedes the 2014 release and Amendment 1:2017.

In practice, encapsulation "m" entails embedding live parts in resinous compounds to isolate ignition sources from hazardous atmospheres. The standard’s scope includes "mb" and "mc" protection levels (up to 11kV) and "ma" (up to 1kV). Its detailed compound requirements, type-tests for temperature and dielectric strength, and robust safety verifications reinforce explosion protection for wide-ranging industrial applications—spanning petrochemical, process automation, and mining sectors. Equipment and component suppliers, as well as integrators, must transition to these updated protocols for certification and ongoing market access.

Key highlights:

• Expanded test and construction criteria for encapsulation levels "ma", "mb", and "mc"
• Reference to and precedence over IEC 60079-0 general provisions where conflicting
• New compound performance and dielectric strength verification requirements

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60079-18:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61643-21:2025 – Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices for Telecommunications and Signalling Networks

Low voltage surge protective devices – Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and signalling networks – Requirements and test methods

IEC 61643-21:2025, now in its second edition, addresses the growing need for robust protection of telecommunications and signalling networks against surges induced by lightning and other transients. It applies to surge protective devices (SPDs) installed in lines carrying up to 1,000V RMS (or 1,500V DC)—including dual-purpose power/data networks such as Power over Ethernet (PoE).

The standard mandates performance and safety criteria, including type testing, material resistance, dielectric withstand, and mechanical robustness. Key advancements include structural alignment with IEC 61643-01:2024, introduction of new safety requirements, and a broadened scope to cover increasingly digitized and critical infrastructure.

Providers of telecom equipment, data network architects, and facility engineers must now factor in these enhanced SPD requirements at the point of deployment, while also preparing for stricter audit and compliance verification. This marks a significant evolution in how communication networks are protected at the interface with harsh external events.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive update in line with the latest IEC 61643-01 family
• Enhanced safety requirements and new structural organization
• Broader applicability for modern data, telecom, and signalling networks

Access the full standard:View IEC 61643-21:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61643-21:2025 – Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices for Telecommunications and Signalling Networks (Duplicate)

The standard above appears twice among October 2025 publications, underscoring its critical relevance to the communications, infrastructure, and controls sector. For analysis, see the previous entry; refer to your organization’s documentation practices for duplicate citations in compliance lists.

Access the full standard:View IEC 61643-21:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60079-45:2025 – Explosive Atmospheres, Electrical Ignition Systems for Internal Combustion Engines

Explosive atmospheres – Part 45: Electrical ignition systems for internal combustion engines

EN IEC 60079-45:2025 introduces clear and rigorous requirements for the construction and testing of electrical ignition systems used in stationary and mobile spark-ignited reciprocating internal combustion engines operating in hazardous (explosive) atmospheres. This standard enhances personnel and operational safety by defining Equipment Protection Levels (EPL) Gc for equipment groups IIB+H2, IIB, and IIA.

It provides detailed construction and test procedures for ignition systems, including voltage limits (≤60kV secondary), protective components, connections, spark prevention, and marking requirements. Exclusions cover breaker/magneto type systems, conventional road vehicles, and unrelated low-voltage parts. For engine and equipment OEMs, petrochemical site managers, and mobile machinery operators, adopting these protocols is imperative for ongoing operations in regulated environments.

Key highlights:

• Minimum construction and test requirements for safe operation in explosive areas
• Covers ignition systems/components for stationary and mobile non-road engines
• Supplements and overrides previous general and sector-specific requirements when in conflict

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60079-45:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Several significant patterns emerge from October 2025’s standards publications:

• Explosion Protection as a Top Priority: Two advanced standards in the EN IEC 60079 series expand the protection envelope for both equipment encapsulation (electrical/electronic) and ignition systems. This follows the global uptick in regulatory demands for hazardous locations across oil & gas, chemicals, and process industries. Expect further cross-pollination of best practices between Europe and international frameworks.

• Surge Protection for Next-Generation Networks: As power and signals increasingly share infrastructure (notably PoE and IoT applications), surge events present heightened risks. IEC 61643-21’s update tightens safety and compatibility, particularly for hybrid networks crucial to smart factories, critical utilities, and connected facilities.

• Dimensional Harmonization for Increased Scale: The revision of EN IEC 60072-2 for rotating machinery reflects industry scale-ups and the complexity of global supply chains. Interoperability and maintainability hinge on precise, cross-border dimensioning—vital for asset managers and international procurement teams.

• Revitalization of Legacy Standards: The systematic update and expansion of previously established documents is evident, accommodating digital controls, modularity, and diversified operational demands not envisioned in legacy standards.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations impacted by October 2025’s standards:

• Prioritize Standards Transition: Early assessment and implementation of revised construction, test, and certification practices—especially for explosion protection and surge resilience—should be prioritized. Inventory existing compliant and non-compliant components, and engage suppliers proactively.

• Cross-Disciplinary Training: Engage design, maintenance, and procurement teams in cross-training on new requirements, particularly where revised tolerances or safety procedures necessitate updates to documentation or processes.

• Integration with Digital Asset Management: Update digital records (CMMS, asset registries) to reflect dimensional standardization changes from EN IEC 60072-2, and SPD requirements for all relevant telecom and signalling infrastructure points as per IEC 61643-21:2025.

• Stay Alert for Implementation Deadlines: Many standards specify transition or withdrawal dates for older regulations—monitor these closely (e.g., 2026-2028 implementation/withdrawal windows noted by CENELEC) to avoid compliance gaps.

• Resource Centralization: Leverage platforms like iTeh Standards for the latest official documents, interpretation sheets, and technical support. This ensures sustained conformity as interpretation evolves post-publication.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025 was distinguished by a blend of substantial technical revisions, harmonization efforts, and heightened safety protocols, with far-reaching impacts on rotating machinery, hazardous area installations, and modern networked infrastructures. Organizations in the Electrical Engineering sector should recognize:

• The need to swiftly align with new explosion protection requirements for both encapsulation and ignition systems.
• The imperative to update designs and documentation for large rotating machinery based on new dimensional standards.
• The criticality of implementing state-of-the-art surge protection with expanded test and performance criteria for all telecommunication and signalling interfaces.

For industry professionals, remaining current with these evolving benchmarks is vital—not just for legal compliance but for future-proofing operational integrity and innovation. To explore these publications in depth or incorporate them into your organization’s compliance roadmap, visit iTeh Standards for authoritative resources and up-to-date guidance.