New Electrical Engineering Standards: December 2025 Highlights (Part 2 of 4)

December 2025 brings a new wave of advancements and requirements in electrical engineering standards, with five major international publications setting fresh benchmarks. These documents address both high and low voltage equipment, from outdoor insulators exposed to pollution, to mission-critical emergency stop devices, to quality frameworks for telecom relays. For electrical engineers, compliance officers, and quality managers, embracing these changes is essential for operational excellence, safety, and global market access.

Overview

Electrical engineering is the backbone of today’s technology-driven industries—powering everything from complex transmission grids to smart manufacturing systems. As power systems evolve and automation deepens, updated standards are vital to:

• Ensure product and system safety
• Guarantee interoperability across borders
• Streamline compliance and certification processes

In this article, we break down the five newly released standards for December 2025 in detail, focusing on practical requirements and actionable insights for industry professionals. Whether you’re responsible for procurement, R&D, or site safety, you’ll discover what’s new and how to stay ahead.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC TS 63414:2025 – Artificial Pollution Tests on High-Voltage Polymeric Insulators

Artificial pollution tests on high-voltage polymeric insulators to be used on AC and DC systems

This technical specification is a crucial update for manufacturers and utilities using outdoor polymeric insulators in high-voltage (HV) applications (AC > 1000 V, DC > 1500 V). The standard sets out unified test methods for evaluating the flashover and withstand voltage performance of polymeric insulators under artificially induced pollution.

It addresses different test methods, such as salt fog and solid layer techniques, to simulate real-world environmental stresses on insulator surfaces. This document pays special attention to insulators with hydrophobic coatings or hydrophobicity transfer materials (HTM), reflecting recent industry advances.

Target users include transmission and distribution system operators, equipment manufacturers for HV lines, and quality assessors overseeing outdoor HV installations—especially in pollution-prone locations.

Implementing IEC TS 63414:2025 means adapting to:

• New procedures for AC and DC pollution testing
• Atmospheric correction and standard reference atmosphere requirements
• Considerations of surface hydrophobicity and ageing in design and testing

Key highlights:

• Covers both AC and DC systems above 1 kV (AC) and 1.5 kV (DC)
• Two main artificial pollution methods: salt fog and solid layer
• Integration of supplementary guidance for systems above 800 kV AC/ ±600 kV DC

Access the full standard:View IEC TS 63414:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN 62271-201:2025 – High-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear (AC Solid-Insulation)

High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 201: AC solid-insulation enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV

This comprehensive standard defines the requirements for AC switchgear and controlgear assemblies that use solid insulation, covering ratings from above 1 kV up to 52 kV. These systems are increasingly preferred in modern substations and industrial networks where compactness, minimal environmental impact, and high reliability are at a premium.

The standard includes specifications for:

• Service and environmental conditions
• Rated characteristics and insulation levels
• Constructional integrity (e.g., earthing, protection degrees, gas/vacuum management)
• Type and routine testing
• Internal arc classification (IAC) and safety protocols

FprEN 62271-201:2025 applies to switchgear OEMs, system integrators, and asset owners responsible for medium-voltage infrastructure. Notable is the increase in focus on dielectric performance, resistance to internal arcing, EMC, and environmental sustainability—reflecting contemporary best practices and regulatory drivers in electrical safety.

Key highlights:

• Ratings up to 52 kV; clear guidance for internal arc tests
• Updated EMC, fire resistance, and mechanical requirements
• Detailed guide for environmental and safety compliance

Access the full standard:View FprEN 62271-201:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025 – Low-Voltage Switchgear: Emergency Stop Devices (December Reaffirmed)

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-5: Control circuit devices and switching elements – Electrical emergency stop device with mechanical latching function

Emergency stop devices are critical for safe machinery operation and rapid hazard mitigation. The latest edition of this standard covers control circuit components such as push-button type emergency stop devices and trip-wire switches featuring mechanical latching.

FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025 is directed at OEMs of industrial control panels, machine builders, safety engineers, and plant operators. It aligns device requirements with the wider IEC 60947 series, focusing on:

• Standardized operation and reset mechanisms
• Robustness testing (durability, impact, vibration, EMC)
• New provisions for illuminated emergency stops (clear state indication for functional safety)
• Comprehensive tests for latching, actuation, and operational cycles

Applying this standard reduces the risk of unsafe machine stops, supports effective risk assessment, and assists in the implementation of global safety standards (e.g., ISO 13850 for emergency stops).

Key highlights:

• Full alignment with IEC 60947 series for interoperability
• Enhanced test protocols for reliability and robustness
• New annex on requirements for illuminated emergency stop devices

Access the full standard:View FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025 – Low-Voltage Switchgear: Emergency Stop Devices (October Edition)

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-5: Control circuit devices and switching elements – Electrical emergency stop device with mechanical latching function

This October edition, equivalent to the December version above, reconfirms all key requirements for robust emergency stop devices in industrial applications. The document presents harmonised guidance for:

• Push-button and trip wire actuation mechanisms
• Mechanical latching function construction and performance
• Environmental, EMC, and mechanical shock/vibration testing
• New functional safety considerations and illuminated device requirements

For manufacturers and integrators, strict adherence strengthens safety integrity, supports CE/UKCA marking, and demonstrates commitment to machine user safety.

Key highlights:

• Fully updated for modern manufacturing tolerances
• Rigorous cycle and latching requirements
• Special focus on visibility and recognizability of active/inactive states

Access the full standard:View FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025 (Oct) on iTeh Standards

IEC 61811-1:2015 – Electromechanical Telecom Elementary Relays

Electromechanical telecom elementary relays of assessed quality – Part 1: Generic specification and blank detail specification

IEC 61811-1:2015 is a foundational standard for assessed quality relays in telecommunications, but its coverage extends into industrial and special-purpose relays. The updated generic specification centralises previous documents, providing a single reference for:

• Relay type and contact specifications
• Mechanical and electrical performance ratings
• Standard test methods for coil voltages, dielectric withstand, insulation resistance, contact failure rates, and operational endurance
• Structure for quality conformance inspections and qualification approval

Manufacturers, systems designers, and procurement teams will benefit from the harmonization and simplification of multiple standards into one robust document, streamlining global sourcing and quality assurance.

Revisions in this edition integrate improvements in test methodologies and bring all relay performance criteria up-to-date with the latest telecom requirements.

Key highlights:

• Consolidates legacy relay specs into one, unified document
• Modernized test sequences and quality assessment protocols
• Applicable to telecom, industrial control, and mixed application relays

Access the full standard:View IEC 61811-1:2015 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Electrical engineering organizations introducing or importing products for grids, substations, or industrial automation must:

• Adapt to tighter testing and specification guidelines for insulators and switchgear
• Demonstrate enhanced safety performance through documented compliance with emergency stop protocols
• Implement quality management systems that reference unified relay assessment requirements

Compliance timelines are determined by regional authorities but early adoption ensures reduced certification risk, improved marketability, and better alignment with evolving global procurement policies.

Benefits of adoption:

• Enhanced reliability and operational safety
• Increased product credibility and global acceptance
• Streamlined procurement and reduced technical barriers to trade

Risks of non-compliance:

• Product recalls or certification delays
• Legal liabilities due to product failures
• Decreased competitiveness in regulated markets

Technical Insights

Across the five standards, industry professionals will notice recurring technical motifs:

• Pollution and environmental testing: Essential for all outdoor insulators (IEC TS 63414:2025) and medium-voltage switchgear (FprEN 62271-201:2025)
• Mechanical endurance and latching verification: Central to emergency stop device reliability (FprEN IEC 60947-5-5:2025)
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC): All new equipment must withstand RF, ESD, and surge phenomena
• Qualification and conformance inspection: Relays (IEC 61811-1) and switchgear now require harmonized documentation for batch and routine testing
• Focus on safety and user interfaces: Visibility and distinctive actuation states, especially in emergency stop devices

Best practices for implementation:

1. Integrate standards in design phase: Choose components and materials that already conform or can be easily tested to new specifications.
2. Use accredited labs: Testing per IEC or EU harmonized procedures ensures early detection of non-conformities.
3. Maintain thorough documentation: Certificates, test reports, and quality control records are essential for certification, customer audits, and ongoing compliance.
4. Plan user training: Engineers and operators must understand not just device functions, but also emergency procedures and required documentation.
5. Align with global certification programs: Compatibility with IEC, EN, and region-specific marks (CE, UKCA, etc.) guarantees broader product acceptance.

Conclusion & Next Steps

December 2025’s international electrical engineering standards solidify new safety, performance, and quality benchmarks for the industry. Whether your focus is insulator reliability under pollution, advanced switchgear, emergency stop safety, or relay quality, proactive adoption is imperative.

• Stay ahead: Regularly review and integrate new standards into procurement, design, and compliance workflows.
• Invest in training and testing: Build competency across your teams for both application and inspection of new requirements.
• Leverage iTeh Standards: For complete details, reliable updates, and authoritative document access, use iTeh Standards as your source.

Explore these standards in detail and ensure your organization is fully prepared for industry advancements. Keep your teams informed, compliant, and competitive.