EN IEC 60352-6:2023

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2023
Spoji brez spajke - 6. del: Spoji, ki prebadajo izolacijo - Splošne zahteve,
preskusne metode in praktični napotki (IEC 60352-6:2022)
Solderless connections - Part 6: Insulation piercing connections - General requirements,
test methods and practical guidance (IEC 60352-6:2022)
Lötfreie Verbindungen - Teil 6: Durchdringverbindungen - Allgemeine Anforderungen,
Prüfverfahren und Anwendungshinweise (IEC 60352-6:2022)
Connexions sans soudure - Partie 6: Connexions à percement d'isolant - Règles
générales, méthodes d'essai et guide pratique (IEC 60352-6:2022)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60352-6:2023
ICS:
29.120.20 Spojni elementi Connecting devices
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60352-6

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM January 2023
ICS 29.120.20 Supersedes EN 60352-6:1997
English Version
Solderless connections - Part 6: Insulation piercing connections -
General requirements, test methods and practical guidance
(IEC 60352-6:2022)
Connexions sans soudure - Partie 6: Connexions à Lötfreie Verbindungen - Teil 6: Durchdringverbindungen -
percement d'isolant - Exigences générales, méthodes Allgemeine Anforderungen, Prüfverfahren und
d'essai et guide pratique Anwendungshinweise
(IEC 60352-6:2022) (IEC 60352-6:2022)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2023-01-11. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60352-6:2023 E

European foreword
The text of document 48B/3001/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 60352-6, prepared by SC 48B "Electrical
connectors" of IEC/TC 48 "Electrical connectors and mechanical structures for electrical and electronic
equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2023-10-11
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2026-01-11
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60352-6:1997 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60352-6:2022 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60228:2004 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60228:2005 (not modified)
IEC 60512-5-2:2002 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60512-5-2:2002 (not modified)
IEC 60603-7:2020 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 60603-7:2020 (not modified)
IEC 61984:2008 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61984:2009 (not modified)
IEC 62430:2019 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62430:2019 (not modified)
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the
relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60068-1 2013 Environmental testing - Part 1: General EN 60068-1 2014
and guidance
IEC 60512-1 2018 Connectors for electrical and electronic EN IEC 60512-1 2018
equipment - Tests and measurements -
Part 1: Generic specification
IEC 60512-1-1 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-1-1 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 1-1:
General examination - Test 1a: Visual
examination
IEC 60512-1-2 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-1-2 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 1-2:
General examination - Test 1b:
Examination of dimension and mass
IEC 60512-2-1 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-2-1 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 2-1:
Electrical continuity and contact resistance
tests - Test 2a: Contact resistance -
Millivolt level method
IEC 60512-2-2 2003 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-2-2 2003
Tests and measurements - Part 2-2:
Electrical continuity and contact resistance
tests - Test 2b: Contact resistance -
Specified test current method
IEC 60512-2-5 2003 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-2-5 2003
Tests and measurements - Part 2-5:
Electrical continuity and contact resistance
tests - Test 2e: Contact disturbance
IEC 60512-6-4 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-6-4 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 6-4:
Dynamic stress tests - Test 6d: Vibration
(sinusoidal)
IEC 60512-9-2 2011 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-9-2 2012
Tests and measurements - Part 9-2:
Endurance tests - Test 9b: Electrical load
and temperature
IEC 60512-11-1 2019 Connectors for electrical and electronic EN IEC 60512-11-1 2019
equipment - Tests and measurements -
Part 11-1: Climatic tests - Test 11a -
Climatic sequence
IEC 60512-11-4 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-11-4 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 11-4:
Climatic tests - Test 11d: Rapid change of
temperature
IEC 60512-11-7 2003 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-11-7 2003
Tests and measurements - Part 11-7:
Climatic tests - Test 11g: Flowing mixed
gas corrosion test
IEC 60512-11-9 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-11-9 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 11-9:
Climatic tests - Test 11i: Dry heat
IEC 60512-11-10 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-11-10 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 11-10:
Climatic tests - Test 11j: Cold
IEC 60512-11-12 2002 Connectors for electronic equipment - EN 60512-11-12 2002
Tests and measurements - Part 11-12:
Climatic tests - Test 11m: Damp heat,
cyclic
IEC 60512-16-20 1996 Electromechanical components for EN 60512-16-20 1996
electronic equipment - Basic testing
procedures and measuring methods - Part
16: Mechanical tests on contacts and
terminations - Section 20: Test 16t:
Mechanical strength (wired termination of
solderless connections)
IEC 60352-6 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Solderless connections –
Part 6: Insulation piercing connections – General requirements, test methods

and practical guidance
Connexions sans soudure –
Partie 6: Connexions à percement d’isolant – Exigences générales, méthodes

d’essai et guide pratique
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-6085-2

– 2 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Requirements . 12
4.1 Workmanship . 12
4.2 Tools . 12
5 Pre-requisites for the qualification test schedule . 12
5.1 Insulation piercing terminations . 12
5.1.1 Materials . 12
5.1.2 Dimensions . 12
5.1.3 Surface finishes . 13
5.1.4 Design features . 13
5.2 Insulated conductors . 13
5.2.1 General . 13
5.2.2 Materials . 13
5.2.3 Dimensions . 13
5.2.4 Surface finishes . 13
5.2.5 Insulation . 13
5.3 Insulation piercing connections . 14
6 Testing . 14
6.1 Overview. 14
6.2 General . 14
6.3 Standard conditions for testing . 14
6.4 Preconditioning . 14
6.5 Recovery . 15
6.6 Mounting of the specimen . 15
7 Tests . 15
7.1 General examination . 15
7.2 Mechanical tests . 15
7.2.1 Tensile strength . 15
7.2.2 Bending of the wire/cable . 15
7.2.3 Vibration . 17
7.3 Electrical tests . 18
7.3.1 General . 18
7.3.2 Contact resistance . 18
7.3.3 Electrical load and temperature . 20
7.4 Climatic tests . 20
7.4.1 General . 20
7.4.2 Rapid change of temperature . 21
7.4.3 Climatic sequence . 21
7.4.4 Flowing mixed gas corrosion test . 21
7.4.5 Damp heat cyclic . 21
8 Test schedules . 22
8.1 General . 22

IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 3 –
8.1.1 Overview . 22
8.1.2 Insulation piercing connections with terminations suitable for a range of
wire diameters . 22
8.1.3 Multipole components . 22
8.2 Qualification test schedule . 23
8.2.1 General . 23
8.2.2 Initial examination . 23
8.2.3 Testing of insulation piercing connections . 23
8.3 Application test schedule . 25
8.3.1 General . 25
8.3.2 Initial examination . 25
8.3.3 Testing of insulation piercing connections . 25
8.4 Flow charts . 26
Annex A (informative) Practical guidance . 29
A.1 General information on insulation piercing terminations . 29
A.2 Current-carrying capacity . 29
A.3 Tool information . 29
A.4 Termination information . 30
A.4.1 General . 30
A.4.2 Materials . 31
A.4.3 Surface finishes . 31
A.4.4 Dimensions . 31
A.5 Conductor information . 31
A.5.1 General . 31
A.5.2 Material . 31
A.5.3 Dimensions . 31
A.5.4 Surface finishes . 31
A.5.5 Insulation . 31
A.5.6 Stripping information for cables (cords) and wires . 31
A.6 Connection information . 32
A.7 Axial load . 33
Bibliography . 34

Figure 1 – Example of an integrated insulation piercing connection (one connection
shown) . 10
Figure 2 – Example of an insulation piercing connection with insulated flat conductor . 11
Figure 3 – Example of an insulation piercing connection in a barrel with stranded wires . 11
Figure 4 – Test arrangement, bending of single wire . 16
Figure 5 – Test arrangement, bending of flat conductor, flat flexible circuitry . 17
Figure 6 – Test arrangement, vibration . 17
Figure 7 – Test arrangement, contact resistance (measuring method for tinsel wire,

flat conductor, flat flexible circuitry) . 19
Figure 8 – Test arrangement, contact resistance (measuring method for stranded
wires). 19
Figure 9 – Qualification test schedule (see 8.2) . 27
Figure 10 – Application test schedule (see 8.3) . 28
Figure A.1 – Example of an insulation piercing termination as an integral part of a
component . 30

– 4 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
Figure A.2 – Example of an insulation piercing termination for flat conductor . 30
Figure A.3 – Example of an insulation piercing termination for stranded wires . 30
Figure A.4 – Examples of round, flat and flat oval sheath cable . 32
Figure A.5 – Example of a flexible circuitry . 32
Figure A.6 – Example of an integrated insulation piercing connection . 32
Figure A.7 – Example of an integrated insulation piercing connection in a barrel with
stranded wires . 33

Table 1 – Vibration, preferred test severities . 18
Table 2 – Contact resistance of insulation piercing connections, maximum permitted
values . 20
Table 3 – Number of specimens required . 22
Table 4 – Qualification test schedule – Test group A . 23
Table 5 – Qualification test schedule – Test group B . 23
Table 6 – Qualification test schedule – Test group C . 24
Table 7 – Qualification test schedule – Test group D . 25
Table 8 – Application test schedule – Test group 1 . 26
Table 9 – Application test schedule – Test group 2 . 26
Table A.1 – Axial load F . 33

IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SOLDERLESS CONNECTIONS –
Part 6: Insulation piercing connections –
General requirements, test methods and practical guidance

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60352-6 has been prepared by subcommittee 48B: Electrical connectors, of IEC technical
committee 48: Electrical connectors and mechanical structures for electrical and electronic
equipment. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1997. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) axial load in 7.2.2 provided in a table in Annex A rather than as percentage of breaking load
of the wire;
b) different approach to measure contact resistance provided in 7.3.2.3.

– 6 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
48B/3001/FDIS 48B/3009/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60352 series, published under the general title Solderless
connections, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
This part of IEC 60352 applies to solderless connections made by insulation piercing (IP) and
includes requirements, tests and practical guidance information for such connection technology.
Two test schedules are provided:
– a qualification test schedule that applies to insulation piercing connections which conform
to all pre-requisites of Clause 5, which are derived from experience with successful
applications of such insulation piercing connections;
– an application test schedule that applies to insulation piercing connections made with
suitable IP termination which are integral part of a component and are already fulfilling the
pre-requisites of Clause 5.
IEC Guide 109 advocates the need to minimize the impact of a product on the natural
environment throughout the product life cycle. IEC 62430 provides principles, requirements and
guidance to implement environmentally conscious design.
It is understood that some of the materials permitted in this document may have a negative
environmental impact. As technological advances lead to acceptable alternatives to these
materials, they will be eliminated from this document.

– 8 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
SOLDERLESS CONNECTIONS –
Part 6: Insulation piercing connections –
General requirements, test methods and practical guidance

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60352 is applicable to insulation piercing connections made with stranded wires
and tinsel wires, insulated flat conductors and flat flexible circuitries for use in electrical and
electronic equipment.
Information on materials and data from industrial experience is included in addition to the test
procedures to provide electrically stable connections under prescribed environmental
conditions.
The object of this document is to:
– determine the suitability of insulation piercing connections under specified mechanical,
electrical, and atmospheric conditions;
– provide a means of comparing test results when the tools used to make the connections, if
any, are of different designs or manufacture.
There are different designs and materials for insulation piercing terminations in use. For this
reason, only fundamental parameters of the termination, the performance requirements of the
conductor and the complete connection are specified in this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60068‑1:2013, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60512‑1:2018, Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment – Tests and
measurements – Part 1: Generic specification
IEC 60512‑1‑1:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 1‑1: General examination – Test 1a: Visual examination
IEC 60512‑1‑2:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 1‑2: General examination – Test 1b: Examination of dimension and mass
IEC 60512‑2‑1:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 2‑1: Electrical continuity and contact resistance tests – Test 2a: Contact resistance –
Millivolt level method
IEC 60512‑2‑2:2003, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 2‑2: Electrical continuity and contact resistance tests – Test 2b: Contact resistance –
Specified test current method
IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 9 –
IEC 60512‑2‑5:2003, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 2‑5: Electrical continuity and contact resistance tests – Test 2e: Contact disturbance
IEC 60512‑6‑4:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 6‑4: Dynamic stress tests – Test 6d: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60512‑9‑2:2011, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 9‑2: Endurance tests – Test 9b: Electrical load and temperature
IEC 60512-11-1:2019, Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment – Tests and
measurements – Part 11‑1: Climatic tests – Test 11a ‑ Climatic sequence
IEC 60512‑11‑4:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 11‑4: Climatic tests – Test 11d: Rapid change of temperature
IEC 60512‑11‑7:2003, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 11‑7: Climatic tests – Test 11g: Flowing mixed gas corrosion test
IEC 60512‑11‑9:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 11‑9: Climatic tests – Test 11i: Dry heat
IEC 60512‑11‑10:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 11‑10: Climatic tests – Test 11j: Cold
IEC 60512‑11‑12:2002, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements –
Part 11‑12: Climatic tests – Test 11m: Damp heat, cyclic
IEC 60512‑16‑20:1996, Electromechanical components for electronic equipment – Basic testing
procedures and measuring methods – Part 16: Mechanical tests on contacts and terminations
– Section 20: Test 16t: Mechanical strength (wired termination of solderless connections)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
conductor
part of the cable or wire intended to carry electric current
Note 1 to entry: The conductor may be
a) solid – made of a single strand of circular cross-section;
b) stranded – made of several strands of circular cross-section assembled either by laying up concentrically or by
bunching, and without insulation between them.
Note 2 to entry: The properties of the copper are in accordance with IEC 60228.
[SOURCE: IEC 60189-1:2018, 3.1]

– 10 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
3.2
wire
insulated conductor or assembly of several insulated conductors, laid up together and which
may be provided with a screen
Note 1 to entry: The wire may be
a) single – consists of a single insulated conductor;
b) multiple – consists of several insulated conductors.
[SOURCE: IEC 60189-1:2018, 3.2 modified by deleting "low frequency" in the title and the
NOTE listing designations.]
3.3
insulation piercing (IP) connection
solderless connection made by metallic protruding elements, which pierce the insulation and
are intended to provide contact with the conductor by deforming or penetrating it
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-23-34, modified by adding “(IP)” (as abbreviation) and
deleting “(for electronic equipment)”.]
3.3.1
integrated insulation piercing (IP) termination for stranded wire or tinsel wire
insulation piercing termination which is integral part of a multipole connector, deemed to be
used for IP connection with stranded wire or tinsel wire (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 – Example of an integrated insulation piercing connection
(one connection shown)
Note 1 to entry: Usually, all IP connections of a connector with integrated IP terminations are made in one step.
Note 2 to entry: An example for the application is the free connector according to IEC 60603-7.
3.3.2
insulation piercing connection with insulated flat conductor or flat flexible circuitry
insulation piercing connection formed by lances which pierce and penetrate the insulated flat
conductor or flexible circuitry (see Figure 2)

IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 11 –

Figure 2 – Example of an insulation piercing
connection with insulated flat conductor
3.3.3
insulation piercing barrel connection with stranded wire or tinsel wire
insulation piercing connection made by lances in a barrel which pierce the insulation, and make
contact with the conductor strands (see Figure 3)

Figure 3 – Example of an insulation piercing
connection in a barrel with stranded wires
3.4
insulation piercing termination
termination to accept different types of insulated conductors for the purpose of establishing an
insulation piercing connection
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-23-54]
3.5
insulation piercing zone
portion of the contact designed and intended to effect the piercing of the insulation and provide
contact with the conductor
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-23-44]
3.6
tinsel conductor
conductor comprising one or more elements stranded together, each element consisting of one
or more thin metal tapes helically wound on, and supported by a textile thread
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-461:2008, 461-01-18]

– 12 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
3.7
tinsel wire
tinsel conductor jacketed with an insulating layer
4 Requirements
4.1 Workmanship
The manufacturer of insulation piercing connections or of a component using such connections
shall provide an instruction for the assembly of insulation piercing connections.
The insulation piercing connections shall be processed in a careful and workmanlike manner,
in accordance with good current practice.
Annex A (informative) provides practical guidance and may constitute a benchmark for the
assessment of workmanship.
4.2 Tools
Tools shall be used and inspected according to the instructions given by the manufacturer(s) of
the tool and/or the connector.
The tools shall be able to make uniformly reliable insulation piercing connections during their
lifetime.
The tools shall be designed to operate in such a manner that unacceptable damage to the
insulation piercing termination and/or conductors is avoided.
Hand tools shall be provided with a full cycle mechanism.
Automatic tools shall be provided with a full cycle mechanism or equivalent safeguard. Tools
are evaluated by testing insulation piercing connections made with the tools to be evaluated.
5 Pre-requisites for the qualification test schedule
5.1 Insulation piercing terminations
5.1.1 Materials
– Metallic parts
Suitable grades of copper or copper alloy such as copper-tin (bronze), copper-zinc (brass)
or beryllium copper shall be used.
– Insulating parts
For integrated insulation piercing connections according to 3.3.1 the component housing
material shall be polycarbonate or similar plastic material.
For insulation piercing barrel connections according to 3.3.3 the wire insulation shall be
PVC or another material appropriate for this connecting technique.
5.1.2 Dimensions
The quality of an insulation piercing connection depends on the dimensions of the insulation
piercing termination. The dimensions shall be suitable for stranded wires including tinsel wires,
insulated flat conductors or flat flexible circuitries, as specified in 5.2.

IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022 – 13 –
5.1.3 Surface finishes
The contact area of the termination shall be unplated or plated with tin or tin-lead or silver, gold,
palladium or their alloys.
The surface shall be free of contamination or corrosion which degrades performance.
5.1.4 Design features
Insulation piercing terminations shall be designed such that lances, peaks or sharp edges of
the insulation piercing zones penetrate the insulation of insulated conductor(s) and establish a
connection by penetration or controlled deformation of the conductor(s). The insulation piercing
zones and termination body shall deform around the conductor(s) to maintain the connection.
For integrated insulation piercing connections according to 3.3.1 the guiding function of the
component housing for the inserted insulated wires is important.
5.2 Insulated conductors
5.2.1 General
Wires with stranded wires, tinsel wires, flat conductors or flat flexible circuitries shall be used.
5.2.2 Materials
The conductors used shall be annealed copper.
5.2.3 Dimensions
5.2.3.1 Dimensions for insulated conductors used for integrated insulation piercing
terminations according to 3.3.1
Specified in the detail specification.
5.2.3.2 Dimensions for insulated conductors used for insulation piercing
connections with flat conductors or flat flexible circuitries according to 3.3.2
Specified in the detail specification.
5.2.3.3 Dimensions for insulated conductors used for insulation piercing barrel
connections with stranded wires or tinsel wires according to 3.3.3
Specified in the detail specification.
5.2.4 Surface finishes
Conductors shall be unplated or plated with tin, tin-lead or silver.
5.2.5 Insulation
The specification for the components using the insulation piercing termination shall specify:
– the insulation thickness of the wires, and
– the outer diameters or the outer dimensions of the wires that shall be accommodated.
The insulation material shall have properties compatible with the insulation piercing process,
i.e. the insulation material shall be capable of being readily pierced by the piercing zones. In
case of stranded conductors or tinsel wires the insulation shall additionally be capable of
keeping the strands in place so that they are not unduly moved when making the connection.

– 14 – IEC 60352-6:2022 © IEC 2022
For flat cables the insulation between the conductors, including any additional insulation
forming the cable, shall additionally be capable of being readily pierced by the piercing zones.
5.3 Insulation piercing connections
a) The combination of insulated conductors, termination and connection tools shall be
compatible.
b) During the connection process the insulation piercing termination of the component shall
– pierce the insulation without detrimental effect;
– deform or pierce the conductor so as to produce an electrical connection without
detrimental effect to the conductor, for example cracking.
c) The termination design shall control the relative position of the insulated conductor and the
piercing zone.
d) A conductor shall be correctly located in the insulation piercing termination as specified by
the detail specification. There shall be a sufficient distance between the termination and the
conductor end. The minimum value of the distance depends on the conductor used and shall
be as specified by the detail specification.
e) Where the termination is equipped with an insulation support or insulation grip, the insulation
shall be correctly located in the support or grip.
6 Testing
6.1 Overview
All tests shall be carried out with insulation piercing connections being in their normal operating
position, for example in their housings (e.g.: the connector insulating body).
Where an insulation piercing connecting device is designed to accommodate more than one
insulation piercing termination, each connection shall be tested individually.
6.2 General
As explained in the introduction to this document, there are two test schedules which shall be
applied according to the following conditions:
– insulation piercing connections which conform to all the pre-requisites of Clause 5 shall be
tested and shall meet the requirements of the qualification test schedule of 8.2;
– insulation piercing connections which are part of a component and are already qualified to
all the pre-requisites of Clause 5 shall be tested in accordance with and
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