Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations - Part 1: General requirements

To cover requirements and tests for Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations

Dosen und Gehäuse für Installationsgeräte für Haushalt und ähnliche ortsfeste elektrische Installationen - Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen

Boîtes et enveloppes pour appareillage électrique pour installations électriques fixes pour usages domestiques et analogues - Partie 1: Exigences générales

L'IEC 60670-1:2015 s'applique aux boîtes, parties d'enveloppes et enveloppes (ci-après désignées par les termes "boîtes" et "enveloppes") destinées à des appareillages électriques ayant une tension assignée ne dépassant pas 1 000 V en courant alternatif et 1 500 V en courant continu prévus pour des installations électriques fixes à usages domestiques ou analogues, pour l'intérieur ou pour l'extérieur. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2002 et son Amendement 1:2011. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: révision du Tableau 1 - Classification.

Škatle in ohišja za električno opremo za gospodinjstvo in podobne nepremične električne inštalacije - 1. del: Splošne zahteve

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
15-Apr-2021
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
6060 - Document made available - Publishing
Start Date
16-Apr-2021
Due Date
13-Sep-2020
Completion Date
16-Apr-2021

Relations

Standard
EN IEC 60670-1:2021
English language
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Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 60670-1:2006
SIST EN 60670-1:2006/A1:2013
SIST EN 60670-1:2006/IS1:2009
Škatle in ohišja za električno opremo za gospodinjstvo in podobne nepremične
električne inštalacije - 1. del: Splošne zahteve
Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical
installations - Part 1: General requirements
Dosen und Gehäuse für Installationsgeräte für Haushalt und ähnliche ortsfeste
elektrische Installationen - Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen
Boîtes et enveloppes pour appareillage électrique pour installations électriques fixes
pour usages domestiques et analogues - Partie 1: Exigences générales
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60670-1:2021
ICS:
29.120.99 Druga električna dodatna Other electrical accessories
oprema
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60670-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2021
ICS 29.120.10 Supersedes EN 60670-1:2005, EN 60670-
1:2005/IS1:2009 and all of its amendments and corrigenda
(if any)
English Version
Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household
and similar fixed electrical installations - Part 1: General
requirements
(IEC 60670-1:2015)
Boîtes et enveloppes pour appareillage électrique pour Dosen und Gehäuse für Installationsgeräte für Haushalt
installations électriques fixes pour usages domestiques et und ähnliche ortsfeste elektrische Installationen - Teil 1:
analogues - Partie 1: Exigences générales Allgemeine Anforderungen
(IEC 60670-1:2015) (IEC 60670-1:2015)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-11-09. 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,
Turkey 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
© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60670-1:2021 E

European foreword
This document (EN IEC 60670-1:2021) consists of the text of IEC 60670-1:2015 prepared by SC 23B
"Plugs, socket-outlets and switches" of IEC/TC 23 "Electrical accessories".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at (dop) 2021-10-16
national level by publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with (dow) 2023-04-09
the document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60670-1:2005 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.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For the relationship with EU Directive(s) see informative Annex ZZ, which is an integral part of
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60670-1:2015 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 standards
indicated:
IEC 60670 (series) NOTE Harmonized as EN 60670 (series)
IEC 60670-21 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60670-21
IEC 60670-22 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60670-22
IEC 60670-23 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60670-23
IEC 60670-24 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60670-24
IEC 62444 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62444
ISO 1456 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 1456
ISO 2081 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 2081

IEC 60670-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed

electrical installations –
Part 1: General requirements
Boîtes et enveloppes pour appareillage électrique pour installations électriques

fixes pour usages domestiques et analogues –

Partie 1: Exigences générales
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-2337-6

– 2 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General requirements . 11
5 General notes on tests . 11
6 Ratings . 11
7 Classification . 12
8 Marking . 13
9 Dimensions. 14
10 Protection against electric shock . 14
11 Provision for earthing . 15
11.1 Boxes and enclosures with exposed conductive parts . 15
11.2 Boxes and enclosures of insulating material classified according to 7.2.2.2
and 7.2.2.3 . 16
11.3 Boxes or enclosures with removable sides according to 7.1.2 . 17
11.4 Earthing terminal threads . 17
12 Construction . 18
12.1 General . 18
12.2 Lids, covers or cover-plates or parts of them . 18
12.2.1 General . 18
12.2.2 Screw-type fixing . 18
12.2.3 Non-screw-type fixing operable without the use of a tool or a key . 18
12.2.4 Non screw-type fixing operable with the use of a tool or a key . 24
12.3 Drain holes . 25
12.4 Mounting of enclosures . 25
12.5 Boxes and enclosures with inlets for flexible cables . 25
12.6 Boxes and enclosures with inlets for applications other than flexible cables . 25
12.7 Boxes and enclosures with a cable anchorage(s) . 26
12.8 Boxes and enclosures with cable retention means . 27
12.9 Knock-outs intended to be removed by mechanical impact . 28
12.9.1 General . 28
12.9.2 Knock-out retention . 28
12.9.3 Knock-out removal . 28
12.9.4 Flat surfaces surrounding knock-outs . 29
12.10 Screw fixings . 29
12.11 Fixing of boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.1 . 30
12.12 Fixing of flush type and semi-flush type boxes and enclosures classified
according to 7.2.2.1 . 33
12.13 Boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3 . 34
12.13.1 General . 34
12.13.2 Boxes intended for mounting on a wood structural member of a wall . 35
12.13.3 Boxes intended for mounting to a wooden structural member of a ceiling . 35
12.13.4 Boxes intended for mounting to a steel-stud structural member of a wall . 35

IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 3 –
12.13.5 Internal volume of boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.2.2
and 7.2.2.3 . 36
12.13.6 Boxes intended for mounting in a finished structure . 37
12.14 Cable gland entry . 37
12.15 Boxes and enclosures with inlets (outlets) or spouts (hubs) for conduits . 38
12.16 Internal volume of boxes and enclosures . 38
13 Resistance to ageing, protection against ingress of solid objects and against
harmful ingress of water . 39
13.1 Resistance to ageing . 39
13.2 Protection against the ingress of solid objects . 41
13.3 Protection against harmful ingress of water . 42
14 Insulation resistance and electric strength . 47
15 Mechanical strength . 49
15.1 General . 49
15.2 Impact test at low temperature . 49
15.3 Compression test . 50
15.4 Impact test for boxes and enclosures . 51
15.5 Compression test for enclosures made of natural or synthetic rubber or a
mixture of both . 56
16 Resistance to heat . 58
16.1 Parts of insulating material necessary to retain current-carrying parts . 58
16.2 Parts of insulating material not necessary to retain current-carrying parts . 59
16.3 Boxes and enclosures of insulating materials classified according to 7.2.2.2
or 7.2.2.3 . 59
16.3.1 Mechanical strength. 59
16.3.2 Parts of insulating material necessary to retain parts of the earthing
circuit . 60
17 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound . 60
18 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat and fire . 61
19 Resistance to tracking . 63
20 Resistance to corrosion . 63
21 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 63
Annex A (informative) Examples of enclosures and parts thereof . 64
Bibliography . 65

Figure 1 – Examples of membranes and grommets . 10
Figure 2 – Demonstration of the non-penetration of the internal volume . 15
Figure 3 – Earthing strap . 16
Figure 4 – Test strap . 17
Figure 5 – Arrangement for test on covers or cover-plates (see 12.2.3.2 and 12.2.3.3) . 20
Figure 6 – Gauge for the verification of the outline of lids, covers or cover-plates . 21
Figure 7 – Examples of application of the gauge of Figure 6 on covers fixed without
screws on a mounting surface or supporting surface . 22
Figure 8 – Compliance criteria of application of the gauge of Figure 6 . 23
Figure 9 – Gauge for verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers . 24
Figure 10 – Sketch showing the direction of application of the gauge of Figure 9 . 24
Figure 11 – Apparatus for testing the cable anchorage . 27

– 4 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

Figure 12 – Example of mounting block for boxes to be embedded in masonry (flush
type and semi-flush type) . 32
Figure 13 – Example of the fixing of the auxiliary device mounted on a specimen . 32
Figure 14 – Example of test apparatus for the test . 33
Figure 15 – Verification of fixing means for boxes and enclosures classified according
to 7.2.2.1 . 34
Figure 16 – Test of the force and measurement of the displacement . 36
Figure 17 – Volume measurement. 39
Figure 18 – Reference surfaces for boxes and enclosures . 43
Figure 19 – Test wall . 45
Figure 20 – Example of the protected volume . 47
Figure 21 – Apparatus for impact test at low temperature. 50
Figure 22 – Mounting block for flush-type boxes and enclosures in order to apply
blows on the rear surface . 52
Figure 23 – Sequence of blows for parts A, B, C, D, E, F and G . 55
Figure 24 – Test devices for load compression test for enclosures made of natural or
synthetic rubber or a mixture of both. . 58
Figure 25 – Rigid crossbar . 60
Figure 26 – Diagrammatic representation of the glow-wire test . 62
Figure A.1 – Examples of enclosures and parts thereof. 64

Table 1 – Classification of boxes and enclosures (1 of 2) . 12
Table 2 – Forces to be applied to lids, covers, cover-plates or actuating members
whose fixing is not dependent on screws . 19
Table 3 – Forces and torques to be applied to cable anchorages . 26
Table 4 – Tightening torques for the verification of the mechanical strength of screws . 30
Table 5 – Torque test values for cable glands . 38
Table 6 – Test voltage for electric strength test . 48
Table 7 – Determination of parts A, B, C, D E, F and G . 52
Table 8 – Height of fall for impact test . 53

IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
BOXES AND ENCLOSURES FOR ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES FOR
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS –

Part 1: General requirements
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.
International Standard IEC 60670-1 has been prepared by subcommittee SC 23B: Plugs,
socket-outlets and switches, of IEC technical committee 23: Electrical accessories.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2002 and its
Amendment 1:2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition: Review of classification Table 1.

– 6 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
23B/1176/FDIS 23B/1184/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.
In this publication, the following print types are used:
In this standard, the following print types are used:
– requirements proper: in roman type;
– test specifications: in italic type;
– explanatory matter: in smaller roman type.

A list of all parts in the IEC 60670 series, published under the general title Boxes and
enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations
can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 7 –
BOXES AND ENCLOSURES FOR ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES FOR
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS –

Part 1: General requirements
1 Scope
This part of IEC 60670 applies to boxes, enclosures and parts of enclosures (hereafter called
“boxes” and “enclosures”) for electrical accessories with a rated voltage not exceeding
1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c. intended for household or similar fixed electrical installations,
either indoors or outdoors.
Boxes and enclosures complying with this standard are suitable for use at ambient
temperatures not normally exceeding +40 °C, but their average over a period of 24 h does not
exceed +35 °C, with a lower limit of the ambient air temperature of −5 °C.
During the installation the temperature may be outside the above temperature range
according to the classification of the boxes and the enclosures.
This International Standard is intended to apply to boxes and enclosures for electrical
accessories within the scope of IEC technical committee 23.
This standard may be used as a reference document for other IEC technical committees and
subcommittees.
A box or an enclosure which is an integral part of an electrical accessory and provides
protection for that accessory against external influences (for example mechanical impact,
ingress of solid objects or water, etc.) is covered by the relevant standard for such an
accessory.
This standard does not apply to
– ceiling roses;
– luminaire supporting couplers;
– boxes, enclosures and parts of enclosures specifically designed to be used for cable
trunking and ducting systems complying with IEC 61084 and which are not intended to be
installed outside of these systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-2-75:1997 , Environmental testing – Part 2-75: Tests – Test Eh: Hammer tests
___________
First edition. This edition has been replaced in 2014 by IEC 60068-2-75:2014, Environmental testing – Part 2-
75: Tests – Test Eh: Hammer tests

– 8 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

IEC 60112:2003, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking
indices of solid insulating materials
IEC 60423:2007, Conduit systems for cable management – Outside diameters of conduits for
electrical installations and threads for conduits and fittings
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60529:1989/AMD1:1999/AMD2:2013, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP
Code)
IEC 60695-2-11:2000 , Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods
– Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
IEC 60695-10-2:2003 , Fire hazard testing – Part 10-2: Abnormal heat – Ball pressure test
IEC 60981:2004, Extra-heavy duty rigid steel conduits
IEC 61032:1997, Protection of persons and equipment by enclosures – Probes for verification
IEC 61140:2001, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61140:2001/AMD1:2004, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for
installation and equipment
ISO/IEC Guide 51, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
enclosure
combination of parts, such as boxes, covers, cover-plates, lids, box extensions, accessories,
etc., providing after assembly and installation as in normal use, an appropriate protection
against external influences, and a defined protection against contact with enclosed live parts
from any accessible direction
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A.
3.2
box
part of an enclosure provided with means for fixing a cover, cover-plate, accessory, etc., and
intended to receive accessories (such as socket-outlets, switches, etc.)
3.3
box extension
part of an enclosure which is intended to extend a box for the purpose of either increasing the
internal volume of the box or enclosure or to adjust for mounting the box flush or semi-flush
with the finished surface of a wall or the like
___________
First edition. This edition has been replaced in 2014 by IEC 60695-2-11:2014, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11:
Glowing/hot-wire based test methods – Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products (GWEPT)
Second edition. This edition has been replaced in 2014 by IEC 60695-10-2:2014, Fire hazard testing – Part 10-
2: Abnormal heat – Ball pressure test method

IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 9 –
3.4
lid
cover
cover-plate
part of an enclosure, not integral with or part of an accessory, which may either retain an
accessory in position or enclose it
3.5
raised cover
cover intended for mounting directly onto a box to provide for the attachment of accessories
and to increase the internal volume of the enclosure
Note 1 to entry: The centre portion of the cover is raised to accommodate a specific wall or ceiling thickness and
to permit the mounting of the accessory on it, flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling.
3.6
exposed conductive part
conductive part of electrical equipment, which can be touched and which is not normally live,
but which can become live when basic insulation fails
3.7
surface mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended for mounting on a surface
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A.
3.8
flush-mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended for mounting flush with the surface
Note 1 to entry: See Annex A.
3.9
semi-flush mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended to fit within a mounting surface and partially projects from
the mounting surface
3.10
cable gland
device designed to permit the entry of a cable, flexible cable or insulated conductor into an
enclosure, and which provides sealing and retention and eventually may also provide other
functions such as earthing, bonding, insulation, cable guarding, strain relief or a combination
of these
3.11
seal
material used to fill up the space between the inside of a gland and the cable passing
through, usually compressed by the gland and thereby forming a joint
3.12
gasket
material introduced between mating surfaces of an enclosure which in compression forms a
joint
3.13
grommet
component used to support and protect the cable or conduit at the point of entry, which may
also prevent the ingress of moisture or contaminants
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-581:2008, 581-27-19, modified]

– 10 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

IEC
Key
1 box
2 entry membrane
3 enclosure
4 protective membrane
5 grommet
Figure 1 – Examples of membranes and grommets
3.14
entry membrane
component or an integral part of an enclosure used to protect the cable which may be used to
support the cable or conduit at the point of entry
Note 1 to entry: An entry membrane may also prevent the ingress of moisture or contaminants and may be part of
a grommet (see Figure 1).
3.15
protecting membrane
component or an integral part of an enclosure that is not intended to be penetrated in normal
use and is intended to provide protection against ingress of water or solid objects and/or to
allow the operation of an accessory
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
3.16
composite material
combination of metal and insulating material
3.17
spout
hub
open entry of a box permitting the insertion and containment of a conduit
3.18
cable retention
ability to limit the displacement of a fitted cable against pull forces

IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 11 –
3.19
cable anchorage
ability to limit the displacement of a fitted flexible cable against pull and push forces and
torques
3.20
blanking-plug
component used to close an open inlet or an open knock out
4 General requirements
Boxes and enclosures shall be so designed and constructed that, in normal use, their
performance is reliable and safety is achieved by reducing risk to a tolerable level, as defined
in ISO/IEC Guide 51.
Compliance is checked by meeting all the relevant requirements and tests specified.
5 General notes on tests
5.1 Tests according to this standard are type tests.
Unless otherwise specified, boxes and enclosures are tested as delivered.
Accessories complying with other standards are not tested again.
Tests on boxes and enclosures of insulating material shall be performed after a
preconditioning of at least 10 days at ambient temperature and relative air humidity of
between 45 % and 85 %.
Unless otherwise specified, the tests are carried out in the order of the clauses, at an ambient
temperature between +15 °C and +35 °C on a set of three specimens.
In case of doubt, the tests are made at an ambient temperature of +(20 ± 5) °C on a set of
three new specimens.
5.2 The specimens are submitted to all the relevant tests and the requirements are
satisfied if all the tests are met.
If one of the specimens does not satisfy a test due to an assembly or a manufacturing fault,
that test and any preceding ones which may have influenced the results of the test shall be
repeated and also the tests which follow shall be made in the required sequence on another
full set of specimens, all of which shall comply with the requirements.
NOTE When submitting the first set of specimens, the applicant can also submit the additional set of specimens
which may be necessary, should one specimen fail. The testing station will then, without further request, test the
additional set of specimens and will only reject if a further failure occurs. If the additional set of specimens is not
submitted at the same time, the failure of one specimen will entail rejection.
6 Ratings
See the relevant part of Parts 21 to 24 of the IEC 60670 series.

– 12 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

7 Classification
Boxes and enclosures are classified according to Table 1. (All classification references used
in this document, directly refer to this table).
Table 1 – Classification of boxes and enclosures (1 of 2)
Classification criteria
7.1 The nature of their material 7.1.1 Insulating
7.1.2 Metallic
7.1.3 Composite
7.1.4 Natural or synthetic rubber
or a mixture of both
7.2 The type of installation 7.2.1 Flush, semi-flush in solid 7.2.1.1 Not suitable for installation
walls, ceilings or floors into concrete
7.2.1.2 Suitable for installation into
concrete with a maximum
temperature during the casting
process of +60 °C
7.2.1.3 Suitable for installation into
concrete with a maximum
temperature during the casting
process of +90 °C
7.2.2 Flush or semi-flush in hollow 7.2.2.1 Class Ha
walls, hollow ceilings, hollow floors
or furniture
7.2.2.2 Class Hb for walls
7.2.2.3 Class Hb for ceilings
7.2.3 Surface mounting on walls,
ceilings, floors or furniture
a
7.3 The type(s) of inlets (outlets) 7.3.1 With inlets for sheathed
cables for fixed installations
7.3.2 With inlets for flexible cables
7.3.3 With inlets for plain or
corrugated conduits
7.3.4 With inlets for threaded
conduits
7.3.5 With inlets for other types of
conductors/cables or conduits
7.3.6 With spouts (hub)
7.3.7 Without inlets. Inlet openings
will be made during installation
7.4 The clamping means 7.4.1 With cable retention
7.4.2 With cable anchorage
7.4.3 With clamping means for
flexible conduit
7.4.4 Without clamping means
7.5 The minimum temperature 7.5.1 –5 °C
during installation
7.5.2 –15 °C
7.5.3 –25 °C
IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 13 –
Table 1 (2 of 2)
Classification criteria
7.6 The degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against harmful effects due to the ingress
of solid foreign objects according to IEC 60529 with a minimum degree of IP 2X
7.7 The degree of protection against harmful effects due to the ingress of water according to IEC 60529
7.8 The degree of protection of the 7.8.1 IP 2X
part mounted inside the hollow

7.8.2 > IP2X
walls of the boxes classified
according to 7.2.2.1
7.9 The provision for fixing 7.9.1 Boxes supplied with screws
accessories to boxes
7.9.2 Boxes intended to receive
screws
7.9.3 Boxes intended to receive
claws
7.9.4 Boxes intended to receive
other means
a
Boxes and enclosures may have more than one type of inlet.
NOTE In the following countries the class Ha boxes and enclosures are used: BR, CH, DE, FR, IT, NO, PT, SE,
UK
8 Marking
8.1 Boxes and enclosures shall be marked with
a) the name, trade mark or identification mark of the manufacturer or the responsible vendor.
In addition enclosures shall be marked with:
b) the first characteristic numeral for the degree of protection against access to hazardous
parts and against harmful effects due to ingress of solid foreign objects, if declared to be
higher than 4 in which case the second characteristic numeral shall also be marked;
c) the second characteristic numeral for the degree of protection against harmful effects due
to ingress of water, if declared to be higher than 2 in which case the first characteristic
numeral shall also be marked;
IPXX
d) the following marking on the cover of flush enclosures intended to be mounted
on rough surfaces and where the IP is dependent on the surface (see Figure 5).
The IP code, if applicable, shall be marked on the outside of the enclosure so as to be
easily discernible when the enclosure is mounted and wired as for normal use;
e) the type reference, which may be a catalogue number;
NOTE In the following country the marking of the type reference is not used: UK.
f) for boxes and enclosures classified as in 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3, the minimum internal volume
in cm as determined by the test in 12.16. The internal volume shall be marked on the
inside of the box or enclosure. The marking on a box or enclosure shall be such that the
value can be read after installation of the box in the normal manner but before the
installation of the wiring devices and wiring;
The following information shall be marked on the boxes and enclosures or provided by the
manufacturer on the smallest package unit or in the manufacturer’s instructions which need
not be provided with the product:
g) +90 °C for boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.1.3;

– 14 – IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015

h) the necessary information concerning the openings which can be made during installation
in the case of boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.3.7;
i) the minimum temperature during installation for boxes classified according to 7.5.2
and 7.5.3;
j) the symbol Ha for boxes classified according to 7.2.2.1 and the symbol Hb for boxes
classified according to 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3.
Unless self-evident, further information for the correct use of the enclosure shall be given in
the manufacturer’s instructions which need not be provided with the product.
In special cases, in order to achieve a higher degree of protection by the use of special parts
an instruction sheet should be provided and should indicate the higher degree of protection.
In such a case, the marking covers the initial degree of protection.
8.2 The marking on the boxes and enclosures shall be durable and easily legible.
Compliance with 8.1 and 8.2 is checked by inspection and by the following test.
The test is made by rubbing the marking by hand for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with
water and again for 15 s with a piece of cloth soaked with petroleum spirit.
NOTE Marking made by moulding, pressing or engraving is considered durable and is therefore not subjected to
this test.
It is recommended that the petroleum spirit used consist of a solvent hexane with an aromatic
content of maximum 0,1 % by volume, a kauributanol value of approximately 29, an initial
boiling-point of approximately +65 °C, a dry point of approximately +69 °C and a density of
approximately 0,68 g/cm .
After the test the marking shall still be legible.
9 Dimensions
Boxes and enclosures shall comply with the appropriate standard sheets, if any.
Compliance is checked by inspection and measurement.
10 Protection against electric shock
Boxes and enclosures shall be so designed that, when they are assembled, equipped and
installed as for normal use in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, live parts are
not accessible.
Where enclosures are supplied without a cover, cover-plate or an accessory they are tested
with the appropriate parts fitted according to the information given in the manufacturer's
instructions.
Compliance is checked by inspection and in case of doubt by the following test.
Enclosures shall be tested with test probe 11 according to IEC 61032 applied for 1 min with a
force of 20 N, and the test probe shall not penetrate in the internal volume of the enclosure,
as shown in Figure 2.
IEC 60670-1:2015 © IEC 2015 – 15 –
∅12
IEC
Figure 2 – Demonstration of the non-penetration of the internal volume
Tests shall be carried out on parts which are accessible after installation.
In addition, all enclosures according to 7.1.1, 7.1.3 and 7.1.4 with parts made of thermoplastic
or elastomeric material shall be subjected for 1 min to a force applied through the tip of test
probe 11 of IEC 61032 but at an ambient temperature of +(35 ± 2) °C, the enclosure being at
this temperature.
The probe is applied to all places where yielding of insulating material could impair the safety
with a force of 75 N except to membranes, grommets and knock-outs or the like.
Knock-outs are tested according to 12.9.2.
11 Provision for earthing
11.1 Boxes and enclosures with exposed conductive parts
Boxes and enclosures with exposed conductive parts shall be provided with an earthing
means of low resistance or have provision for the fitting of such an earthing means. For the
purpose of this requirement, small screws and the like, for fixing bases, covers or coverplates,
etc. isolated from live parts, are not considered as exposed conductive parts.
Exposed conductive parts of covers or cover-plates shall be connected through a low
resistance connection to the earthing means when fitted as for normal use.
Compliance is checked by the following test.
A current derived from an a.c. source
...

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