IEC 60900:2012

IEC 60900


®


Edition 3.0 2012-06



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Live working – Hand tools for use up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.

Travaux sous tension – Outils à main pour usage jusqu’à 1 000 V en courant
alternatif et 1 500 V en courant continu


IEC 60900:2012

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IEC 60900



®



Edition 3.0 2012-06







INTERNATIONAL





STANDARD







NORME



INTERNATIONALE











Live working – Hand tools for use up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.



Travaux sous tension – Outils à main pour usage jusqu’à 1 000 V en courant


alternatif et 1 500 V en courant continu


















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE

PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE

XA
CODE PRIX


ICS 13.260; 29.240.20; 29.260.99 ISBN 978-2-83220-135-0



Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – 60900 © IEC:2012



CONTENTS




FOREWORD . 5

INTRODUCTION . 7

1 Scope . 8

2 Normative references . 8


3 Terms and definitions . 8

4 Requirements . 9
4.1 General requirements . 9
4.1.1 Safety . 9
4.1.2 Performance under load . 9
4.1.3 Multiple-ended hand tools . 10
4.1.4 Marking . 10
4.1.5 Separating of covers . 11
4.1.6 Instructions for correct adjustment and assembly . 11
4.2 Requirements concerning insulating materials . 11
4.2.1 General . 11
4.2.2 Thermal stability . 11
4.3 Additional requirements . 11
4.3.1 Hand tools capable of being assembled . 11
4.3.2 Screwdrivers . 14
4.3.3 Wrenches – uninsulated areas . 15
4.3.4 Adjustable wrenches. 15
4.3.5 Pliers, strippers, cable scissors, cable-cutting hand tools . 16
4.3.6 Scissors . 19
4.3.7 Knives . 20
4.3.8 Tweezers . 21
5 Tests . 22
5.1 General . 22
5.2 Visual check . 23
5.3 Dimensional check . 23
5.4 Impact tests. 23

5.4.1 Type test . 23
5.4.2 Alternative means in case of insulated and insulating hand tools
having completed the production phase . 26
5.5 Dielectric tests . 26
5.5.1 General requirements . 26
5.5.2 Conditioning (for type test only) . 26
5.5.3 Dielectric testing of insulated hand tools . 27
5.5.4 Dielectric testing of insulating hand tools . 30
5.6 Indentation test (for insulated hand tools) . 31
5.6.1 Type test . 31
5.6.2 Alternative means in case of insulated hand tools having completed
the production phase . 32
5.7 Test for adhesion of the insulating material coating (for insulated hand tools) . 32
5.7.1 Conditioning . 32

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60900 © IEC:2012 – 3 –


5.7.2 Type test . 33

5.7.3 Alternative means in case of insulated hand tools having completed

the production phase . 38

5.7.4 Test of adhesion of insulating covers of conductive adjusting or

switching elements . 39

5.8 Mechanical tests . 39

5.8.1 Insulated hand tools . 39

5.8.2 Insulating hand tools . 40

5.8.3 Tweezers . 40

5.8.4 Retaining force test . 40

5.9 Durability of marking . 42
5.10 Flame retardancy test . 42
5.10.1 Type test . 42
5.10.2 Alternative means in case of hand tools having completed the
production phase . 43
6 Conformity assessment of hand tools having completed the production phase . 44
7 Modifications . 44
Annex A (informative) Mechanical strength of insulating hand tools . 45
Annex B (normative) Suitable for live working; double triangle
(IEC 60417-5216:2002-10) . 47
Annex C (informative) Recommendation for use and in-service care . 48
Annex D (normative) General type test procedure . 49
Annex E (normative) Examples of calculation of the unwinded length of coating and
acceptable leakage current . 50
Annex F (normative) Classification of defects and tests to be allocated . 51
Bibliography . 52

Figure 1 – Marking of the electrical working limit adjacent to the symbol double triangle . 10
Figure 2 – Description of the insulating overlapping element and different assembly
configurations for hand tools capable of being assembled with square drives . 12
Figure 3 – Marking symbol for hand tools capable of being assembled and designed to
be interchangeable between different manufacturers . 13
Figure 4 – Illustration of insulation of typical hand tools . 14
Figure 5 – Insulated adjustable wrench . 16

Figure 6 – Insulation of pliers . 17
Figure 7 – Insulation of multiple slip joint pliers . 17
Figure 8 – Insulation of pliers with a functional area below the joint . 18
Figure 9 – Illustration of insulation of pliers and nippers for electronics . 19
Figure 10 – Insulation of scissors . 20
Figure 11 – Insulation of knives . 21
Figure 12 – Example of insulation of the handles of tweezers . 22
Figure 13 – Example of test arrangement for the impact test – Method A . 24
Figure 14 – Example of test arrangement for the impact test – Method B . 25
Figure 15 – Dielectric testing arrangement for insulated hand tools . 28
Figure 16 – Description of dummies for dielectric tests for hand tools capable of being
assembled with square drives . 29
Figure 17 – Dielectric testing arrangement for insulating hand tools . 30

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– 4 – 60900 © IEC:2012


Figure 18 – Indentation test . 32

Figure 19 – Principle of the testing device for checking adhesion of the insulating

coating on conductive parts of the insulated hand tools – Test on the working head –

Method A . 34


Figure 20 – Principle of the testing device for checking adhesion of the insulating
coating on conductive parts of the insulated hand tools – Test on the working head –

Method B . 35


Figure 21 – Testing device for checking adhesion of the insulating coating of

screwdrivers on conductive parts and the handle . 36

Figure 22 – Example of mountings for checking stability of adhesion of the insulation

of the entire hand tool . 38
Figure 23 – Dummies for testing locking systems used with square drives nominal size
12,5 mm of ISO 1174 . 41
Figure 24 – Dummies for testing locking systems used with square drives nominal size
10 mm of ISO 1174 . 41
Figure 25 – Example of a flame retardancy test arrangement . 43

Table 1 – Dimensions and tolerances of the insulating overlapping element . 13
Table 2 – Dimensions and tolerances for dummies to be used for dielectric tests . 29
Table A.1 – Torque values for insulating screwdrivers . 45
a
Table D.1 – Sequential order for performing type tests . 49
Table F.1 – Classification of defects and associated requirements and tests . 51

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60900 © IEC:2012 – 5 –


INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________



LIVE WORKING –

HAND TOOLS FOR USE UP

TO 1 000 V AC AND 1 500 V DC



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 60900 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2004. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
It includes the following significant technical changes with regard to the previous edition:
• general review of the requirements and test provisions;
• preparation of the elements of evaluation of defects, and general application of
IEC 61318:2007 (Ed.3);
• deletion of Annexes D and E, not applicable according to IEC 61318 Ed.3;
• introduction of a new normative Annex D on chronology of type tests;
• introduction of a new normative Annex F on classification of defects.

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The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting


78/947/FDIS 78/953/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.


The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site 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.

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60900 © IEC:2012 – 7 –


INTRODUCTION


This International Standard has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of

IEC 61477 where applicable.


The product covered by this standard may have an impact on the environment during some or

all stages of its life cycle. These impacts can range from slight to significant, be of short-term

or long-term, and occur at the global, regional or local level.


This standard does not include requirements and test provisions for the manufacturers of the

product, or recommendations to the users of the product for environmental improvement.

However, all parties intervening in its design, manufacture, packaging, distribution, use,
maintenance, repair, reuse, recovery and disposal are invited to take account of
environmental considerations.

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– 8 – 60900 © IEC:2012


LIVE WORKING –

HAND TOOLS FOR USE UP

TO 1 000 V AC AND 1 500 V DC








1 Scope


This International Standard is applicable to insulated and insulating hand tools used for

working live or close to live parts at nominal voltages up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.
The products designed and manufactured according to this standard contribute to the safety
of the users provided they are used by skilled persons, in accordance with safe methods of
work and the instructions for use (where appropriate).
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 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements
IEC 60212, Standard conditions for use prior to and during the testing of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 61318, Live working – Conformity assessment applicable to tools, devices and equipment
IEC 61477, Live working – Minimum requirements for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
ISO 1174-1, Assembly tools for screw and nuts – Driving squares – Part 1: Driving squares for
hand socket tools
ISO 9654, Pliers and nippers for electronics – Single-purpose nippers – Cutting nippers

ISO 9655, Pliers and nippers for electronics – Single-purpose pliers – Pliers for gripping and
manipulating
ISO 9656, Pliers and nippers for electronics – Test methods
ISO 9657, Pliers and nippers for electronics – General technical requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61318 and the
following apply.

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60900 © IEC:2012 – 9 –


NOTE For the definitions of general terms in this document, reference should be made to the IEC 60050 series or

to special definitions laid down in IEC 60743. Nomenclature of hand tools are found in the relevant ISO standards
such as ISO 1703, ISO 5742 and ISO 8979.


3.1

hand tool (for live working)

hand held insulated or insulating tool


Note 1 to entry: Hand tools are normally tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches or knives.

[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:1999, 651-01-27, modified – The scope of the definition has been
enlarged.]


3.2
insulated hand tool
hand tool made of conductive materials, fully or partially covered by insulating materials
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:1999, 651-01-25, modified – The definition has been changed to
refer specifically to hand tools.]
3.3
insulating hand tool
hand tool made totally or essentially from insulating materials except for inserts made from
conductive materials used for reinforcement, but with no exposed conductive parts
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-651:1999, 651-01-26, modified - The definition has been changed to
refer specifically to hand tools and its scope has been narrowed. ]
4 Requirements
4.1 General requirements
4.1.1 Safety
Insulated and insulating hand tools shall be manufactured and dimensioned in such a way
that they protect the user from electric shock.
NOTE Insulated hand tools completely covered by insulating materials and insulating tools minimize the risk of
short circuits between two parts at different potentials when they are used in the correct manner.
The following requirements have been prepared in order that the hand tools covered by this
standard are designed and manufactured to contribute to the safety of the users, provided
they are used by persons skilled for live working, in accordance with safe methods of work

and the instructions for use (where appropriate).
4.1.2 Performance under load
The mechanical specifications for insulated hand tools shall comply with the corresponding
ISO standards, or, where no ISO standard exists, with a standard specified by the
manufacturer or the customer, (for example a national standard). The mechanical
specifications for the working parts of the hand tools shall be retained even after application
of an insulating layer.
Insulating hand tools specially designed for live working may have lower stress resistance
than insulated hand tools, but they shall withstand the expected workloads without failing due
to remaining deformation or breaking. These hand tools can be equipped with devices that
limit the workloads that can be applied with them, for example by overload slipping clutches
(see also Annex A).

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4.1.3 Multiple-ended hand tools


Multiple-ended hand tools, such as box wrenches, keys for hexagonal socket screws, double-

ended socket-wrenches, double-head open-end wrenches, etc., are not allowed for insulated

hand tools but are allowed for insulating hand tools if the design assures that there is no

conductive connection between two of the working heads.


4.1.4 Marking

The marking shall be clearly identifiable by persons with normal or corrected sight without

further magnification. Each hand tool and/or tool component shall be legibly and permanently

marked with the following items of marking:

• on the insulating material or on the metal part:
– marking of the origin (manufacturer’s name or trade mark);
• on the insulating material:
– model/type reference;
– year of manufactu
...