Electrical Engineering Standards Summary – October 2025 Monthly Overview (Part 3)

Looking back at October 2025, the Electrical Engineering sector experienced a dynamic period of standardization with the publication of five important standards. This comprehensive overview, as part of a wider series, reviews the month's key publications and offers an in-depth analysis of trends, technical changes, and compliance considerations. For industry professionals, staying abreast of these evolving standards is essential to ensure product reliability, safety, and market readiness.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 stood out for its focus on foundational infrastructure elements: cables for overhead distribution, lighting system compatibility, battery component durability, and environmental testing. The month saw five significant standards released by European and international organizations, introducing updated methodologies, clarifying compliance requirements, and reflecting heightened expectations for robustness and harmonization.

A key pattern observed was the convergence of safety, reliability, and performance across multiple application areas:

• Enhanced testing protocols for inrush currents in lighting systems
• Rigorous mechanical requirements for battery enclosures
• Improved procedures for environmental stress testing of electrical and electronic equipment

Compared with typical publication cycles, October revealed a deliberate emphasis on revising and consolidating standards with direct market and safety implications. The breadth of topics—from distribution cables to complex environmental factors—signals an ongoing industry pivot towards more integrated and climate-resilient design.

Standards Published This Month

HD 626-S2:2025 – Overhead Distribution Cables of Rated Voltage U0/U(Um): 0.6/1 (1.2) kV

Overhead distribution cables of rated voltage U0/U(Um): 0,6/1 (1,2) kV

The HD 626-S2:2025 standard addresses the general and technical requirements for overhead power distribution cables used primarily in public electricity distribution networks. Covering voltages up to 1.2 kV, the document standardizes design, construction, and test methods for cables intended to deliver a high degree of operational reliability and safety when used within appropriate system limits.

Key requirements focus on:

• Conductor and insulation materials
• Minimum thickness and physical properties of sheaths
• Marking and identification for traceability
• Performance under mechanical and aging stress

Organizations involved in design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of public electrical distribution systems are the primary stakeholders for this standard. By establishing harmonized test procedures and recommendations for cable selection, storage, installation, and use, HD 626-S2:2025 supports both safety compliance and international interoperability.

Key highlights:

• Replaces earlier editions and consolidates recent technical improvements
• Offers robust guidance on environmental resistance and operational limits
• Specifies test methods to ensure long-term cable performance

Access the full standard:View HD 626-S2:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 63129:2020 – Determination of Inrush Current Characteristics of Lighting Products (Edition 1.0 & consolidated 1.1)

Determination of inrush current characteristics of lighting products

Published twice in updated form during October 2025—with the original 2020 edition and a new consolidated version—IEC 63129:2020 introduces a comprehensive methodology to assess the inrush current of lighting devices: light sources with integrated controlgear, external controlgear, and luminaires. Inrush current, the initial surge when a device is powered, is critical for component selection, system safety, and preventing nuisance tripping.

The standard sets out:

• Measurement and calculation procedures for peak inrush current and pulse duration
• Both default (DC) and alternative (AC) test methods for individual or multiple identical devices
• Considerations for product compatibility with electrical protection devices, such as circuit breakers or switches

Applicability extends to designers, installation planners, manufacturers, and testing laboratories who need to certify lighting products for safe connection to low-voltage (230 V AC) 50/60 Hz networks. By supporting accurate characterization, the standard aids in optimizing the number of lighting fittings on a given circuit and reduces risks of system malfunction from excessive inrush currents.

The 2025 consolidated (Edition 1.1) introduces editorial clarifications and technical refinements (such as test report requirements and updated schematic diagrams) to streamline laboratory use and regulatory compliance.

Key highlights:

• Standardizes quantification of inrush current—a growing concern with electronic lighting
• Clarifies circuit protection compatibility (matching lighting inrush to MCB/switch capacity)
• Supports correct system design, reducing costly on-site issues and rework

Access the full standard:View IEC 63129:2020 on iTeh Standards

EN 50342-5:2025 – Lead-Acid Starter Batteries – Mechanical Properties of Battery Housings and Handles

Lead-acid starter batteries – Part 5: Mechanical properties of battery housings and handles

EN 50342-5:2025 focuses on the quality and reliability of battery housings and handles, specifically for starter batteries typically found in automotive, commercial, and industrial road vehicles. The standard defines physical property requirements and unified test procedures for components constructed from polypropylene or similar materials.

It encompasses:

• Minimum mechanical strengths (tensile, heat resistance, impact resilience)
• Chemical resistance to fuels, oils, coolants, and battery acid
• Detailed test protocols for production validation—for both materials and finished assemblies

This standard targets battery manufacturers, OEMs, and component suppliers. It aids quality managers and engineers in verifying material selection, design robustness, and production consistency. Significantly, the latest revision enhances the distinction between system and component-level requirements and brings test procedures in line with real-world battery box conditions, where UV exposure is limited.

Key highlights:

• Updated separation of test requirements for materials vs. finished products
• Clearer compliance benchmarks for physical and chemical durability
• Addresses emerging safety and product longevity expectations for vehicle applications

Access the full standard:View EN 50342-5:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60068-2-78:2025 – Environmental Testing: Damp Heat, Steady State

Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat, steady state

EN IEC 60068-2-78:2025 provides rigorous methods for assessing the resistance of electrical and electronic components (from small parts to large assemblies) to steady-state damp heat environments. This is vital for products intended for markets or applications where high humidity and temperature cycles can challenge insulation, circuitry, and enclosures.

The revised edition brings several technical advancements:

• Enhanced chamber requirements and expanded severity parameters, including new dew point metrics
• Refined temperature tolerances for test accuracy
• A new preconditioning step to ensure repeatable results
• Broader application to both dissipative and non-dissipative (static) devices

Industries most impacted include manufacturers of electrical/electronic equipment for transportation, infrastructure, and critical systems subject to tropical, marine, or harsh storage/transportation conditions. The revised reporting process further supports clarity for R&D, procurement, and quality assurance teams.

Key highlights:

• Addresses growing demand for climate resilience in electronics
• Brings laboratory practices up to date with operational requirements
• Enhances preconditioning and report standardization for comparability

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60068-2-78:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Several industry trends emerged clearly across October 2025’s Electrical Engineering publication set:

• Focus on Lifecycle Durability: Whether in cables, batteries, or electronic assemblies, new standards place emphasis on resilience to environmental and operational stressors. This reflects the sector’s drive for longer-lasting, safer products with lower total lifecycle cost.

• Compatibility and System Integration: With standards like IEC 63129, the interplay between components—such as lighting products and protective devices—is formalized. This responds to increased system complexity and the proliferation of smart, electronically controlled devices.

• Strengthened Test Procedures: Across the board, test methods have been clarified, expanded, or updated to be more reflective of field conditions. From overhead cable testing to verification of mechanical properties in battery housings, these changes help ensure that compliance aligns with real safety and performance outcomes.

• Revisions to Harmonize Practice: By superseding older standards or consolidating methods, the new publications support easier cross-border trade and harmonization across the global supply chain—a critical factor as both regulatory oversight and international collaboration expand.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these October 2025 publications, timely adaptation is crucial:

• Gap Assessment: Identify existing products, systems, and processes that diverge from new requirements—especially in material sourcing, product markings, and environmental qualification.
• Prioritize High-Impact Standards: As some standards carry mandatory compliance windows (with older standards withdrawn by 2028), planning a phased implementation is essential, particularly for products still in design or early production.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Involve procurement, quality, engineering, and compliance staff early to ensure supply chain readiness and minimize retrofitting or nonconformance risks.
• Leverage Updated Test Protocols: Familiarize testing and certification labs with the revised procedures to avoid delays in conformity marking or market access.

Timeline Considerations:

• Some standards specify no later than October 2028 for full transition; however, early adoption is recommended for market competitiveness and to avoid end-of-life risk for older designs.

Getting Started:

• Access standards via reputable sources such as iTeh Standards
• Engage with national committees or technical bodies for clarifications and implementation support
• Monitor sector updates for further amendments or published interpretations

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025 marked an important inflection point in the Electrical Engineering sector’s standardization landscape. The month’s standards—which touched on overhead cables, lighting inrush currents, vehicle battery housings, and environmental durability—signal a clear drive toward high reliability, greater interoperability, and fit-for-purpose design under evolving environmental and performance requirements.

For industry professionals:

• Review each standard’s requirements in detail, as missed compliance can have downstream implications for safety, warranty, and market access
• Factor new and revised test protocols into development and QA plans
• Anticipate regulator and client interest in lifecycle robustness, component compatibility, and harmonized approaches

Remaining current with these standards is not just a matter of regulatory obligation; it is key to maintaining market leadership and operational excellence in a globally competitive, rapidly changing field.

Explore all the referenced standards and more at iTeh Standards to ensure your organization stays ahead in compliance and innovation.