EN 60903:2003

SLOVENSKI SIST EN 60903:2004
STANDARD
februar 2004
Delo pod napetostjo – Rokavice iz izolacijskega materiala (IEC 60903:2002
(Spremenjen))
Live working - Gloves of insulating material
ICS 13.260; 13.340.40 Referenčna številka
©  Standard je založil in izdal Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje ali kopiranje celote ali delov tega dokumenta ni dovoljeno

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60903
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2003

ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.99 Supersedes EN 60903:1992 + A11:1997 & EN 50237:1997

English version
Live working -
Gloves of insulating material
(IEC 60903:2002 + corrigendum 2003, modified)

Travaux sous tension -  Arbeiten unter Spannung -
Gants en matériau isolant Handschuhe aus isolierendem Material
(CEI 60903:2002 + corrigendum 2003, (IEC 60903:2002 + Corrigendum 2003,
modifiée) modifiziert)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2003-07-01. 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 Central Secretariat 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2003 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 60903:2003 E
Foreword
The text of document 78/462A/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 60903, prepared by IEC TC 78, Live
working, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved by CENELEC as
EN 60903 on 2003-07-01.
A draft amendment, prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 78, Equipment and tools for
live working, was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC for inclusion into
EN 60903 on 2003-07-01.
This European Standard
– supersedes EN 60903:1992 + A11:1997, covering insulating gloves (and mitts) which would
normally be used in conjunction with leather protector gloves worn over the insulating gloves (and
mitts) to provide mechanical protection,
– supersedes EN 50237:1997, covering gloves (and mitts) which combine in one unique glove the
insulating properties of elastomer gloves and the mechanical properties of leather gloves. The
result of the combination is defined as a composite glove;
– includes requirements and testing for a “long composite glove" which extends protection to most of
the upper arm.
The following dates were fixed:

– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented

at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2004-07-01
national standard or by endorsement

– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2006-07-01
with the EN have to be withdrawn
This European Standard was prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association and supports the essential requirements of
Directive 89/686/EEC.
NOTE Subclauses which are additional to those in IEC 60903 are prefixed "Z".
Annexes designated "normative" are part of the body of the standard.
Annexes designated "informative" are given for information only.
In this standard, annexes A, B, C and ZA are normative and annexes D, E, F, G, H and I are
informative.
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
- 3 - EN 60903:2003
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60903:2002 and its corrigendum February 2003 was
approved by CENELEC as a European Standard with agreed common modifications as given below.
COMMON MODIFICATIONS
5.7 Marking
Modify the second indent as follows:
– number of the relevant European Standard immediately adjacent to the symbol with year
of publication (EN 60903:2003)

Add the following item after the sixth indent (class):
– serial number or batch number;

5.8 Packaging
Delete the last sentence.
Add a new Subclause 5.Z1 as follows:

5.Z1 Manufacturer’s instructions

Each pair of gloves shall come with the manufacturer’s instructions for use and care.
These instructions shall include, as a minimum, the following information:
– the significance of any marking (see 5.7);
– the type of packaging suitable for transport (see 5.8);
– the classes and categories appropriate to different levels of risks and the corresponding
limit of use (see Annex D); ;
– performance as recorded during the technical tests to check the levels or classes of
protection (see Clauses 8, 9 and 10);
– the end of life deadline or period to end of life of the product; alternatively, the conditions
of periodic inspection and electrical re-testing ensuring a safe use until the end of life of
the product (see E.5);
– storage, use, cleaning, maintenance, servicing and desinfection. Cleaning, maintenance
or disinfectant products recommended by the manufacturer and the relevant instructions;
– these gloves are intended to be used exclusively for electrical purpose.

Bibliography
Add the following references:
EN 388, Protective gloves against mechanical risks

EN 420, Protective gloves - General requirements

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any
of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including
amendments).
NOTE When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-151 2001 International Electrotechnical - -
Vocabulary (IEV)
Part 151: Electrical and magnetic
devices
IEC 60050-601 1985 Chapter 601: Generation, - -
transmission and distribution of
electricity - General
IEC 60050-651 1999 Part 651: Live working - -

IEC 60060-1 1989 High-voltage test techniques HD 588.1 S1 1991
+ corr. March 1990 Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60060-2 1994 Part 2: Measuring systems EN 60060-2 1994
A11 1998
IEC 60212 1971 Standard conditions for use prior to HD 437 S1 1984
and during the testing of solid
electrical insulating materials

IEC 60417 database Graphical symbols for use on - -
equipment
IEC 60743 2001 Live working - Terminology for tools, EN 60743 2001
equipment and devices
IEC 61318 1994 Live working - Guidelines for quality - -
assurance plans
IEC 61477 2001 Live working - Minimum requirements EN 61477 2002
for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
ISO 37 1994 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - - -
Determination of tensile stress-strain
properties
ISO 472 1999 Plastics - Vocabulary EN ISO 472 2001

- 5 - EN 60903:2003
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
ISO 2592 2000 Determination of flash and fire points - EN ISO 2592 2001
Cleveland open cup method
ISO 2859-1 1999 Sampling procedures for inspection by - -
attributes
Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-
by-lot inspection
ISO 2977 1997 Petroleum products and hydrocarbon - -
solvents - Determination of aniline
point and mixed aniline point
ISO 3104 1994 Petroleum products - Transparent and EN ISO 3104 1996
opaque liquids - Determination of
kinematic viscosity and calculation of
dynamic viscosity
ISO 9000 2000 Quality management systems - EN ISO 9000 2000
Fundamentals and vocabulary
ISO 9001 2000 Quality management systems - EN ISO 9001 2000
Requirements
ISO 9004 2000 Quality management systems - EN ISO 9004 2000
Guidelines for performance
improvements
INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD 60903
Second edition
2002-08
Live working –
Gloves of insulating material
 IEC 2002 Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
XB
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
International Electrotechnical Commission
МеждународнаяЭлектротехническаяКомиссия
For price, see current catalogue

60903 © IEC:2002 – 3 –
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 9
INTRODUCTION .13
1 Scope .15
2 Normative references.15
3 Definitions .17
4 Classification .21
5 General requirements .23
5.1 Physical requirements .23
5.1.1 Composition.23
5.1.2 Shape .23
5.1.3 Dimensions.23
5.1.4 Thickness .25
5.1.5 Workmanship and finish.27
5.2 Mechanical requirements .27
5.2.1 Tensile strength and elongation at break .27
5.2.2 Tension set.27
5.3 Electrical requirements .27
5.4 Ageing requirements.29
5.5 Thermal requirements.29
5.5.1 Low temperature resistance .29
5.5.2 Flame retardancy.31
5.6 Gloves with special properties .31
5.6.1 Acid resistance .31
5.6.2 Oil resistance.31
5.6.3 Ozone resistance.31
5.6.4 Acid, oil and ozone resistance .31
5.6.5 Extremely low temperature resistance.31
5.7 Marking .33
5.8 Packaging.35
6 Specific mechanical requirements.35
6.1 Insulating gloves – Resistance to mechanical puncture.35
6.2 Composite gloves .35
6.2.1 Resistance to mechanical puncture.35
6.2.2 Abrasion resistance .35
6.2.3 Cutting resistance.35
6.2.4 Tear resistance.35
7 Electrical requirements for long composite gloves.35
8 General testing .37
8.1 General .37
8.2 Visual inspection and measurements .37
8.2.1 Shape .37
8.2.2 Dimensions.37
8.2.3 Thickness .39
8.2.4 Workmanship and finish.39

60903 © IEC:2002 – 5 –
8.3 Mechanical tests.39
8.3.1 Tensile strength and elongation at break .39
8.3.2 Resistance to mechanical puncture.41
8.3.3 Tension set.41
8.4 Dielectric tests.43
8.4.1 General.43
8.4.2 AC test procedure.45
8.4.3 DC test procedure.47
8.5 Ageing test .49
8.6 Thermal tests.49
8.6.1 Low temperature test .49
8.6.2 Flame retardancy test .49
8.7 Tests on gloves with special properties.51
8.7.1 Category A – Acid resistance .51
8.7.2 Category H – Oil resistance .51
8.7.3 Category Z – Ozone resistance.53
8.7.4 Category C – Extremely low temperature resistance .53
8.8 Marking .53
8.9 Packaging.53
9 Specific mechanical testing.53
9.1 Abrasion resistance .53
9.2 Cutting resistance.55
9.2.1 Test on reference test piece.57
9.2.2 Test on glove test piece .57
9.3 Tear resistance.59
10 Leakage current test .61
10.1 General test conditions .61
10.2 Test arrangement .61
10.3 Test procedure .63
11 Quality assurance plan and acceptance tests .63
11.1 General .63
11.2 Categories of tests.63
11.3 Sampling procedure.63
11.4 Acceptance tests .63
Annex A (normative) List and classification of tests.95
Annex B (normative) Liquid for tests on gloves of category H – Oil resistance.101
Annex C (normative) Sampling procedure .103
Annex D (informative) Guidelines for the selection of the class of glove
in relation to nominal voltage of a system.107
Annex E (informative) In-service recommendations .109
Annex F (informative) Typical glove dimensions .113
Annex G (informative) Cotton canvas additional characteristics.115
Annex H (informative) Acceptance tests .119
Annex I (informative) Electrical limits for the use of gloves of insulating material.121
Bibliography.125

60903 © IEC:2002 – 7 –
Figure 1 – Examples of typical shapes of gloves .65
Figure 2 – Shape of mitts .67
Figure 3 – Contour of glove (see 8.2.2) .69
Figure 4 – Example of area usually in contact with energized equipment.71
Figure 5 – Marking symbols (see 5.7).73
Figure 6 – Dumb-bell test piece for mechanical tests (see 8.3.1 and 8.3.3) .75
Figure 7 – Test plates and needle for resistance to mechanical puncture (see 8.3.2) .77
Figure 8 – Distance D from open part of glove to water line (see 8.4.1.1).79
Figure 9 – Bend (fold) line for low and extremely low temperature test
(see 8.6.1 and 8.7.4).81
Figure 10 – Polyethylene plates for low and extremely low temperature test
(see 8.6.1 and 8.7.4).83
Figure 11 – Set-up for the flame retardancy test (see 8.6.2).85
Figure 12 – Abrasion resistance tester (see 9.1) .87
Figure 13 – Apparatus for testing cutting resistance (see 9.2) .89
Figure 14 – Test piece direction and location for tear resistance (see 9.3) .91
Figure 15 – Shape of test piece for tear resistance (see 9.3).91
Figure 16 – Set-up for the leakage current test (see 10.2).93
Table 1 – Special properties.23
Table 2 – Standard lengths of gloves .25
Table 3 – Maximum thickness of the gloves .25
Table 4 – Proof test and withstand test .29
Table 5 – Surface leakage current test for long composite gloves .37
Table 6 – Clearance from open part of the glove to water line .45
Table 7 – Presentation of test results on glove test piece.59
Table A.1 – General test procedure.95
Table B.1 – Characteristics of oil no. 1.101
Table C.1 – Classification of defects .103
Table C.2 – Sampling plan for minor defects .105
Table C.3 – Sampling plan for major defects .105
Table D.1 – Designation of maximum use voltage .107
Table E.1 – Distances between the cuff of the protector glove and
the top of the cuff of the insulating glove .109
Table F.1 – Details and dimensions (see Figures 1 and 2) .113
Table G.1 – Identification sheet.117
Table I.1 – Electrical limits .123

60903 © IEC:2002 – 9 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING–
GLOVES OF INSULATING MATERIAL
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the 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, the IEC publishes International Standards. 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. The 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 the 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 National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60903 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.
This second edition:
– cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60903, published in 1988, covering insulating
gloves (and mitts) which would normally be used in conjunction with leather protector
gloves worn over the insulating gloves (and mitts) to provide mechanical protection;
– includes and cancels IEC 61942, first edition, published in 1997, covering gloves (and
mitts) which combine in one unique glove the insulating properties of elastomer gloves
and the mechanical properties of leather gloves. The result of the combination is defined
as a composite glove;
– includes requirements and testing for a “long composite glove” which extends protection to
most of the upper arm.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
78/462A/FDIS 78/479/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

60903 © IEC:2002 – 11 –
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until 2007.
At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
The contents of the corrigenda of February 2003 and January 2005 have been included in this
copy.
60903 © IEC:2002 – 13 –
INTRODUCTION
In this document, the clauses on requirements and testing are reorganized in order to bring
together the common requirements and tests, then to lay down separately those which are
specific to insulating gloves for electrical protection normally worn under leather protector
gloves as opposed to those specific to insulating gloves for combined electrical and
mechanical protection. This arrangement meets the basic necessity that a same quality level
of electrical insulation is achieved for all types of insulating gloves.
This document has been prepared according to the requirements of IEC 61477 where
applicable.
60903 © IEC:2002 – 15 –
LIVE WORKING –
GLOVES OF INSULATING MATERIAL
1 Scope
This International Standard is applicable to:
– insulating gloves and mitts which should normally be used in conjunction with leather
protector gloves worn over the insulating gloves to provide mechanical protection;
– insulating gloves and mitts usable without over-gloves for mechanical protection.
Unless otherwise stated, the use of the term “glove” includes both gloves and mitts. The use
of the term “insulating gloves” designates gloves providing electrical protection only. The use
of the term “composite gloves” designates gloves providing electrical and mechanical
protection.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 60050(151):2001, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 151: Electrical
and magnetic devices
IEC 60050(601):1985, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 601:
Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity – General
IEC 60050(651):1999, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 651: Live working
IEC 60060-1:1989, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60060-2:1994, High-voltage test techniques – Part 2: Measuring systems
IEC 60212:1971, Standard conditions for use prior to and during the testing of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60417 (all parts), Graphical symbol for use on equipment
IEC 60743:2001, Live working – Terminology for tools, equipment and devices
IEC 61318:1994, Live working – Guidelines for quality assurance plans
IEC 61477:2001, Live working - Minimum requirements for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
ISO 37:1994, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Determination of tensile stress-strain
properties
60903 © IEC:2002 – 17 –
ISO 472:1999, Plastics – Vocabulary
ISO 2592:2000, Determination of flash and fire points – Cleveland open cup method
ISO 2859-1:1999, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes – Part 1: Sampling
schemes indexed by acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection
ISO 2977:1997, Petroleum products and hydrocarbon solvents – Determination of aniline
point and mixed aniline point
ISO 3104:1994, Petroleum products – Transparent and opaque liquids – Determination of
kinematic viscosity and calculation of dynamic viscosity
ISO 9000:2000, Quality management systems – Fundamentals and vocabulary
ISO 9001:2000, Quality management systems – Requirements
ISO 9004:2000, Quality management systems – Guidelines for performance improvements
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
composite gloves
insulating gloves made with integrated mechanical protection
[IEV 651-07-11 modified and definition 8.3.1 of IEC 60743]
3.2
insulating gloves
gloves made of elastomer or plastic material, used for the protection of the worker against
electrical hazards
[IEV 651-07-09 and definition 8.2.3 of IEC 60743]
3.3
long composite gloves
composite gloves used to extend the protection of the worker over the arms up to the armpits
[Definition 8.3.2 of IEC 60743]
3.4
mitt
glove with multiple fingers enclosed in one covering
3.5
bell cuff glove
glove with an enlarged shape from the wrist to the cuff in such a way as to facilitate pull-on
over a thick garment
60903 © IEC:2002 – 19 –
3.6
contour glove
glove shaped at the upper part of the gauntlet in such a way as to facilitate the bending of the
arm
3.7
curved glove
glove on which the fingers are slightly bent in a position corresponding to the position the
hand forms when while holding an object
3.8
lined glove
glove with an inside lining of textile attached to the plastic or to the elastomer
3.9
elastomer
generic term that includes rubber, latex and elastomeric compounds that may be natural or
synthetic or a mixture or a combination of both
[Definition 2.4.3 of IEC 60743]
3.10
plastic
material which contains, as an essential ingredient, a high polymer and which at some stage
in its processing into finished products can be shaped by flow
NOTE 1 Elastomeric materials which are also shaped by flow, are not considered as plastics.
NOTE 2 In some countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, it is a permitted option to use the term “plastics” as
the singular form as well as the plural form.
[ISO 472 and definition 2.4.4 of IEC 60743]
3.11
cuff
open part of a glove above the gauntlet
3.12
cuff roll
roll or reinforced edge of a glove at the cuff
3.13
fork
part of glove at the junction of two fingers, or finger and thumb
3.14
gauntlet
part of a glove from the wrist to the open part of the glove
3.15
palm
part of glove covering the face of the central inside hand
3.16
wrist
the narrowest part of the glove above the cuff

60903 © IEC:2002 – 21 –
3.17
disruptive discharge
passage of an arc following dielectric breakdown
NOTE 1 The term “sparkover” (in French “amorçage”) is used when a disruptive discharge occurs in a gaseous or
liquid dielectric.
NOTE 2 The term “flashover” (in French “contournement”) is used when a disruptive discharge occurs at least
partly along the surface of a solid dielectric surrounded by a gaseous or liquid medium.
NOTE 3 The term “puncture” (in French “perforation”) is used when a disruptive discharge occurs through a solid
dielectric producing permanent damage.
[IEV 651-01-18 and definition 2.7.7 of IEC 60743, modified]
3.18
nominal voltage (of a system)
suitable approximate value of voltage used to designate or identify a system
[IEV 601-01-21]
3.19
proof test voltage
specified voltage that is applied to a device for the time defined under specified conditions to
assure that the electrical strength of the insulation is above a specified value
3.20
withstand test voltage
voltage that the device withstands without disruptive discharge, or other electric failure when
voltage is applied under specified conditions
3.21
acceptance test
contractual test to prove to the customer that the device meets certain conditions of its
specification
[IEV 151-16-23, modified]
3.22
routine test
test to which each individual device is subjected during or after manufacture to ascertain
whether it complies with certain criteria
3.23
sampling test
test on a number of devices taken at random from a batch
3.24
type test
test on one or more devices made to a certain design to show that the design meets certain
specifications
4 Classification
The gloves covered under this standard shall be designated as follows:
− by class, as class 00, class 0, class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4;
− by special properties, by the addition of a suffix as shown in Table 1.

60903 © IEC:2002 – 23 –
For composite gloves, only classes 00, 0 and 1 are available at the present time. At higher
classes, additional data are needed. For long composite gloves, only classes 1, 2 and 3 are
available at the present time.
Guidance as to temperature range at which gloves can be used is given in Annex E.
Table 1 – Special properties
Category Resistant to
AAcid
HOil
ZOzone
R Acid, oil, ozone
C Extremely low temperature
NOTE 1 Category R combines the characteristics of categories A, H and Z.
NOTE 2 Any combination of categories may be used.
5 General requirements
5.1 Physical requirements
5.1.1 Composition
All gloves may be lined or unlined, have an exterior covering, or not, for protection against
chemical attack, or be specially compounded to reduce the effects of ozone.
Insulating gloves for electrical protection are usually made of elastomer.
Composite gloves are usually made of elastomer or plastic. In case of excessive wear or
damage on the exterior of a composite glove made up of layers of different colours, the
different colour layer underneath will appear.
5.1.2 Shape
The gloves shall be provided with a cuff. Gloves may be manufactured with or without cuff roll.
NOTE The shape of a glove is indicated in Figure 1a. The letter “h” in Figure 1a represents the curve of the finger
in curved gloves. The shape of a mitt is indicated in Figure 2. The shape of a long composite glove is indicated in
Figure 1b. The shape of a bell cuff glove is illustrated in Figure 1c.
5.1.3 Dimensions
Table 2 gives the standard lengths of gloves.

60903 © IEC:2002 – 25 –
Table 2 – Standard lengths of gloves
Standard length
Class
b
mm
00 280 360 – – –
0 280 360 410 460 –
a
1 – 360 410 460 800
a
2 – 360 410 460 800
a
3 – 360 410 460 800
4 – – 410 460 –
a
Long composite gloves.
b
The permissible variation in length shall be ±15 mm for any class, except for long composite gloves where
permissible variation shall be ±20 mm.
For contour-cuff gloves, the difference between the maximum and minimum lengths (see
Figure 3) shall be 50 mm ± 6 mm except for long composite gloves where this difference shall
be 100 mm ± 12 mm.
It is not practicable to specify other dimensions, but typical glove dimensions are suggested in
Annex F.
5.1.4 Thickness
The minimum thickness shall be determined only by the ability to pass the dielectric tests
defined in 5.3.
The maximum thickness on the flat surface of a glove (no ribbed area if present) shall be as
given in Table 3 in order to obtain the appropriate flexibility.
Table 3 – Maximum thickness of the gloves
Thickness
mm
Class
Long composite
Insulating gloves Composite gloves
gloves
00 0,50 1,8
0 1,00 2,3
a
11,50 3,1
2 2,30 4,2
32,90 – 4,2
43,60 –
a
Under consideration.
Gloves of categories A, H, Z and R may require additional thickness which shall not exceed
0,6 mm.
60903 © IEC:2002 – 27 –
5.1.5 Workmanship and finish
Gloves shall be free on both inner and outer surfaces from harmful physical irregularities that
can be detected by thorough test and inspection.
Harmful physical irregularities shall be defined as any feature that disrupts the uniform,
smooth surface contour, such as pinholes, cracks, blisters, cuts, conductive embedded
foreign matter, creases, pinch marks, voids (entrapped air), prominent ripples and prominent
mould marks.
The working area is defined as all finger and thumb forks, the palm and the palm side of the
fingers and thumb (see Figure 4).
Palm and finger surfaces designed to improve the grip shall not be considered as
irregularities.
5.2 Mechanical requirements
These requirements are applicable to the basic glove or sample material taken from the
finished glove.
5.2.1 Tensile strength and elongation at break
The average tensile strength shall not be less than 16 MPa (see 8.3.1).
The average elongation at break shall not be less than 600 % (see 8.3.1).
5.2.2 Tension set
The tension set shall not exceed 15 % (see 8.3.3).
5.3 Electrical requirements
All gloves shall pass the proof and withstand voltage tests along with the a.c. proof test
current requirements, as specified in Table 4 and Clause 8, according to their class.

60903 © IEC:2002 – 29 –
Table 4 – Proof test and withstand test
AC tests DC tests
b, c
Maximum proof test current
mA rms
Class of
Proof test Withstand Proof Withstand
d
gloves
voltage test voltage test test voltage
Glove length
voltage
mm
kV rms kV rms Avg kV Avg kV
280 360 410
≥≥≥≥ 460
a
00 2,5 12 14 N/a N/a 5 4 8
0 5 12 14 16 18 10 10 20
1 10 N/a 16 18 20 20 20 40
2 20 N/a 18 20 22 30 30 60
3 30 N/a 20 22 24 40 40 70
4 40N/a N/a24 26 50 60 90
a
N/a = Not applicable.
b
Gloves which, during tests, show proof test current values equal to or less than the values indicated in Table 4,
will during normal use, have actual leakage current values much lower than the threshold of ventricular fibrillation.
This is because the contact area with water during these tests is much greater than the contact area of the hand on
the inside of the glove and the contact area of the glove with live electrical parts of equipment handled during
normal use. Moreover, the proof test voltage is higher than the recommended maximum use voltage.
c
For routine tests, the proof test current given by Table 4 shall be reduced by 2 mA.
d
Refer to Annex D for the selection of the class of the gloves.
The proof test (see 8.4.2.1 or 8.4.3.1) is deemed successful if
− the proof test voltage is reached and maintained during the test period,
− the proof test current does not exceed the specified values during the test period. Current
measurement may be done continuously or at the end of the test period.
The withstand test (see 8.4.2.2 or 8.4.3.2) is deemed successful if the voltage at which
electrical puncture occurs equals or exceeds the specified withstand values.
5.4 Ageing requirements
Test pieces shall be submitted to high temperature tests (see 8.5) to simulate the effects of
ageing.
For dumb-bell test pieces, the lowest value of tensile strength at break shall be a value of not
less than 80 % of the unaged value. The tension set shall not exceed 15 %.
Each glove shall also pass the dielectric proof test, but without being subjected to the
moisture conditioning.
5.5 Thermal requirements
5.5.1 Low temperature resistance
No tear, break or crack shall be visible on the gloves, after being subjected to a low
temperature test (see 8.6.1).
Each glove shall also pass the dielectric proof test, but without being subjected to moisture
conditioning.
60903 © IEC:2002 – 31 –
5.5.2 Flame retardancy
Sample pieces taken from the gloves shall be flame retardant (see 8.6.2). The flame shall not
have reached the reference line located on the test piece 55 mm from its edge (e.g. from the
tip of the finger), within 55 s after withdrawal of the flame.
5.6 Gloves with special properties
5.6.1 Acid resistance
Gloves of category A shall be acid resistant (see 8.7.1). After immersion in a sulfuric acid
solution, gloves shall successfully pass the following tests:
− dielectric proof test, but without moisture conditioning;
− tensile strength and elongation at break: the values obtained shall not be less than 75 %
of the values obtained on gloves that have not been exposed to acid.
5.6.2 Oil resistance
Gloves of category H shall be oil resistant (see 8.7.2). After immersion in a oil, gloves shall
successfully pass the following tests:
− dielectric proof test, but without moisture conditioning;
− tensile strength and elongation at break: the values obtained shall not be less than 50 %
of the values obtained on gloves that have not been exposed to oil.
5.6.3 Ozone resistance
Gloves of category Z shall be ozone resistant (see 8.7.3). After conditioning, the gloves shall
exhibit no cracks under visual inspection. Each glove shall pass the dielectric proof test, but
without being subjected to moisture conditioning.
5.6.4 Acid, oil and ozone resistance
Gloves of category R shall be acid, oil and ozone resistant.
5.6.5 Extremely low temperature resistance
Gloves of category C shall be resistant to extremely low temperatures. No tear, break or crack
shall be visible on the gloves after being subjected to an extremely low temperature test
(see 8.7.4).
Each glove shall
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