IEC 61587-1:2016

IEC 61587-1 ®
Edition 4.0 2016-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 series –
Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety aspects for cabinets,
racks, subracks and chassis under indoor condition use and transportation

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour les séries
IEC 60917 et IEC 60297 –
Partie 1: Exigences environnementales, montage d’essai et aspects liés à la
sécurité des baies, bâtis, bacs à cartes et châssis dans des conditions
d’utilisation intérieure ou de transport
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IEC 61587-1 ®
Edition 4.0 2016-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and

IEC 60297 series –
Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety aspects for cabinets,

racks, subracks and chassis under indoor condition use and transportation

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour les séries

IEC 60917 et IEC 60297 –
Partie 1: Exigences environnementales, montage d’essai et aspects liés à la

sécurité des baies, bâtis, bacs à cartes et châssis dans des conditions

d’utilisation intérieure ou de transport

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 31.240 ISBN 978-2-8322-3790-8

– 2 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Classification of environmental conditions . 9
5 General . 10
6 Climatic tests . 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Cold, dry heat and damp heat (cyclic) . 11
6.3 Industrial atmosphere . 12
7 Mechanical tests . 13
7.1 General . 13
7.2 Tests for subracks or chassis with an integrated subrack and associated
plug-in units according to IEC 60917 or IEC 60297 . 13
7.2.1 Static mechanical load tests of a subrack or a chassis with an
integrated subrack . 13
7.2.2 Dynamic mechanical load tests for a subrack or a chassis with an
integrated subrack . 17
7.2.3 Vibration and shock test of a mass loaded plug-in unit . 22
7.3 Static and dynamic mechanical load tests for cabinets or racks . 30
7.3.1 General . 30
7.3.2 Cabinet and rack – Static load tests . 30
7.3.3 Cabinet or rack – Vibration and shock tests . 37
7.3.4 Cabinet – Impact tests . 40
8 Safety aspects . 41
8.1 Safety aspects – General . 41
8.2 Earth bond . 41
8.2.1 Earth bond – General . 41
8.2.2 Test procedure – Earth bond . 42
8.3 Flammability . 42
8.4 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) . 42
Bibliography . 43

Figure 1 – Static mechanical load test fixture for a subrack or a chassis with an
integrated subrack . 13
Figure 2 – Single point (P3) load test for a subrack . 14
Figure 3 – Single point (P3) load test for a chassis with an integrated subrack . 15
Figure 4 – Single point (P4) load test for a subrack or a chassis with an integrated
subrack . 16
Figure 5 – Test fixture with a subrack under test . 18
Figure 6 – Test fixture with a chassis with an integrated subrack under test . 18
Figure 7 – Test setup and measurement point . 20
Figure 8 – Overview of a typical plug-in unit and test fixture. 23
Figure 9 – Overview of a typical plug-in unit test fixture – Sectional views . 24

Figure 10 – Typical mass loaded plug-in unit . 25
Figure 11 – Typical mass loaded host plug-in unit assembled with a mass loaded
mezzanine plug-in unit . 26
Figure 12 – Lifting test for cabinets or racks . 32
Figure 13 – Stiffness test for cabinets or racks . 33
Figure 14 – Test set up for cabinets and racks – Nominal load test . 35
Figure 15 – Test set up for cabinets or racks – Vibration and shock tests . 38

Table 1 – Examples showing references to tests . 10
Table 2 – Classifications for cold, dry heat and damp heat . 11
Table 3 – Classifications for industrial atmosphere . 12
Table 4 – Static mechanical load performance levels for subracks – Vertical mounted
plug-in units . 15
Table 5 – Typical test report of the mechanical P3 load test . 15
Table 6 – Static mechanical load performance levels for subracks – Horizontal
mounted plug-in units . 16
Table 7 – Typical test report of the mechanical P4 load test . 17
Table 8 – IEC 60297 series subracks with mass loaded plug-in units . 21
Table 9 – IEC 60917 series subracks with mass loaded plug-in units . 21
Table 10 – Subrack or chassis with integrated subrack – Total mass test categories . 22
Table 11 – Typical shock test report of subrack or chassis with an integrated subrack . 22
Table 12 – Typical vibration test report of subrack or chassis with an integrated
subrack . 22
Table 13 – IEC 60297 series mass loaded plug-in units . 27
Table 14 – IEC 60917 series mass loaded plug-in units . 27
Table 15 – Typical shock test report of a plug-in unit . 28
Table 16 – Typical vibration test report of a plug-in unit . 28
Table 17 – Vibration and shock classifications for subracks, chassis with integrated
subracks and associated plug-in units . 29
Table 18 – Combined classification levels for cabinet or rack nominal load, lifting, and
stiffness tests . 30
Table 19 – Classification levels for individually reported cabinet or rack nominal load
tests . 31
Table 20 – Classification levels for individually reported cabinet or rack lift tests . 31
Table 21 – Classification levels for individually reported cabinet or rack stiffness test . 31
Table 22 – Typical test report of a cabinet or rack lifting test . 32
Table 23 – Typical test report of the cabinet or rack stiffness test . 33
Table 24 – Cabinet or rack, nominal load test values . 36
Table 25 – Typical test report of the cabinet or rack nominal load test . 37
Table 26 – Typical test report of the cabinet or rack combined static load test . 37
Table 27 – Static load distribution within the cabinet or rack . 38
Table 28 – Vibration and shock classifications for cabinets or racks . 39
Table 29 – Impact classifications for cabinets . 40
Table 30 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) . 42

– 4 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 SERIES –

Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety
aspects for cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis under
indoor condition use and transportation

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,
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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 61587-1 has been prepared by IEC subcommittee 48D:
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment, of IEC technical committee 48: Electrical
connectors and mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2011. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) total overhaul of Clause 7 “Mechanical tests”;
b) compatibility with IEC 61587-5.

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
48D/623/FDIS 48D/628/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.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61587 series, under the general title Mechanical structures for
electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 series, 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.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 6 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this standard is to provide a common methodology to perform and report
conformance tests of IEC 60917 or IEC 60297 compliant cabinets, racks, subracks, chassis
with integrated subracks and associated plug-in units under indoor condition use and
transportation. Based upon the most recent specification/standard developments in the
industry (such as PICMG, ANSI/VITA, ATIS, etc.) and to address new requirements, this
edition 4 of IEC 61587-1 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
the previous edition:
a) Document title change to read: IEC 61587-1: Mechanical structures for electronic
equipment – Tests for the IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 series – Part 1: Environmental
requirements, test set-up and safety aspects for cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis
under indoor condition use and transportation.
b) Total overhaul of Clause 7 “Mechanical tests” so as to make it compatible with legacy
equipment (i.e., equipment commercially available prior to the publication of the standard).
In particular:
1) Subclause 7.2 “Tests for subracks or chassis with an integrated subrack and
associated plug-in units” has been considerably expanded and provides for a more
realistic intended use test environment (simulation of service condition).
2) Subclause 7.2.1 “Static mechanical load tests of a subrack or a chassis with an
integrated subrack” cabinet or rack static load test categories such as cabinets or
racks with lifting eye test only and cabinets or racks without the use of lifting eyes have
been added.
3) Subclause 7.2.3 “Vibration and shock test of a mass loaded plug-in unit” has been
updated to be in line with IEC 62262, which defines the way cabinets should be
mounted when impact tests are carried out, the atmospheric conditions that should
prevail, the number of impacts, and their distribution, and the physical size,
dimensions, etc. of the various styles of hammers designed to produce the test energy
level required.
c) Compatibility with IEC 61587-5.

MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 SERIES –

Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety
aspects for cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis under
indoor condition use and transportation

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61587 specifies environmental requirements, test set-up, as well as safety
aspects for empty enclosures, i.e., cabinets, racks, subracks, chassis with an integrated
subrack, and associated plug-in units under indoor condition use and transportation.
The purpose of this standard is to establish defined levels of physical performance in order to
meet certain requirements of storage, transport and final location conditions. It applies in
whole or part only to the mechanical structures of cabinets, racks, subracks, chassis with an
integrated subrack, and associated plug-in units, but it does not apply to electronic
equipment.
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, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-1, Environmental testing – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
IEC 60068-2-2, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-6, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-11, Environmental testing – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka: Salt mist
IEC 60068-2-27, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests– Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60068-2-30, Environmental testing – Part 2-30: Tests – Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic
(12 h + 12 h cycle)
IEC 60068-2-42, Environmental testing – Part 2-42: Tests – Test Kc: Sulphur dioxide test for
contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-43, Environmental testing – Part 2-43: Tests – Test Kd: Hydrogen sulphide test
for contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-49, Environmental testing – Part 2-49: Tests – Guidance to test Kc: Sulphur
dioxide test for contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-52, Environmental testing – Part 2-52: Tests – Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic
(sodium, chloride solution)
– 8 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
IEC 60068-2-64, Environmental testing – Part 2-64: Tests – Test Fh: Vibration, broadband
random and guidance
IEC 60297 (all parts), Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series
IEC 60297-3-100, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series – Part 3-100: Basic dimensions of front
panels, subracks, chassis, racks and cabinets
IEC 60297-3-101, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series – Part 3-101: Subracks and associated
plug-in units
IEC 60297-3-107:2012, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment - Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series - Part 3-107: Dimensions of subracks
and plug-in units, small form factor
IEC 60297-3-107, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series – Part 3-107: Dimensions of subracks
and plug-in units, small form factor
IEC 60297-3-108, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series – Part 3-108: Dimensions of R-type
subracks and plug-in units
IEC 60512-1-1, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements – Part 1-1:
General examination – Test 1a: Visual examination
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60654-4, Operating conditions for industrial-process measurement and control
equipment – Part 4: Corrosive and erosive influences
IEC 60695-11-10, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-10: Test flames – 50 W horizontal and
vertical flame test methods
IEC 60721-3-3, Classification of environmental conditions – Part 3-3: Classification of
groups of environmental parameters and their severities – Stationary use at weather protected
locations
IEC 60917, (all parts), Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for
electronic equipment practices
IEC 60917-2-1, Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for electronic
equipment practices – Part 2-1: Sectional specification – Interface co-ordination dimensions
for the 25 mm equipment practice – Detail specification – Dimensions for cabinets and racks
IEC 60917-2-2, Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for electronic
equipment practices – Part 2-2: Sectional specification – Interface co-ordination dimensions
for the 25 mm equipment practice – Detail specification – Dimensions for subracks, chassis,
backplanes, front panels and plug-in units
IEC 60917-2-3, Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for electronic
equipment practices – Part 2-3: Sectional specification – Interface co-ordination dimensions
for the 25 mm equipment practice – Extended detail specification – Dimensions for subracks,
chassis, backplanes, front panels and plug-in units

IEC 60950-1:2005, Information technology equipment – Safety – Part 1: General
requirements
IEC 60950-1:2005/AMD1:2009
IEC 60950-1:2005/AMD2:2013
IEC 61010-1, Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 61373, Railway applications – Rolling stock equipment – Shock and vibration tests
IEC 61587-2, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 2: Seismic tests for cabinets and racks
IEC 61587-3, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks
IEC 61587-5, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 5: Seismic tests for chassis, subracks, and associated plug-in units
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
indoor condition
location at which the product is protected from weather influences
3.2
mezzanine plug-in unit
module installed in a plug-in unit that can be removed from a subrack without removing its
host plug-in unit
3.3
test sample
unit under test, dummy loaded where necessary in order to achieve repeatable results
4 Classification of environmental conditions
The climatic conditions are derived from IEC 60721-3-3 and IEC 60654-4.
The shock and vibration conditions are derived from IEC 60721-3-3.
The shock and vibration severity classes per Table 17 have been separated permitting the
user to choose either the shock (DLxS) or vibration (DLxV) severity class or any combination
thereof. The existing DLx severity classes are maintained. For example: DL1
(IEC 61587-1:2011) = DL1V and DL1S (IEC 61587-1/Ed4).

– 10 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
5 General
The purpose of the mechanical tests is to ensure that cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis
will survive the normal handling during manufacture, storage, transportation, installation and
in the service environment.
In order to have, for the enclosure itself, some safety margin built-in, all classification
parameters are higher than parameters for the overall application itself. This should ensure
proper working of a complete unit in an application.
Unless otherwise specified all tests shall be done at an ambient (room) temperature range of
nominal +20 °C to +25 °C.
The specified classifications of performance and kinds of tests of this standard can be
combined as required. Compliance to individual subclauses and levels is permissible.
Individual tests and severities are referred to by letters and numbers (see Table 1 for
examples which show a selection of representative values from each subclause and relevant
table).
The various tests should be performed using the same sample wherever it is possible.
Experience has shown that the sequence of tests listed in this standard (see also
IEC 60068-1) enables the test sequence to be performed using the same test sample except
where the individual test results preclude further testing of the same sample, i.e., the test has
damaged (destroyed) the sample.
Table 1 – Examples showing references to tests
Test Subrack, chassis IEC 60917 Plug-in unit Plug-in unit Cabinet, rack
or IEC 60297 series IEC 60917 series IEC 60297 series IEC 60917 or
IEC 60297 series
Climatic C1 C2 C3
Industrial A1 A2 A3
atmosphere
Static load SL1 SL2 SL3 SL7 SL8 SL4 SL5 SL6
SL9 SL10 – SL11 SL12 –
SLH1 SLH2 SLH3 SLH4 LT1 LT2 LT3
SLH5 SLH6 SLH7 SLH8 LT4 LT5 –
–
SLH9
ST1 ST2 ST3
ST4 ST5 –
NL1 NL2 NL3
NL4 NL5
Dynamic DL1V DL2V DL3V DL4V DL5V
PA11 PA12 PA13
load DL11V DL12V DL6V
PA12 PA21
(vibration) PA21 PA22
PA31 PA32
PA31 PA32
Dynamic DL1S DL2S DL3S DL11S DL4S DL5S
PA41
load DL6S
PA41
(shock)
Impact – IK04 IK07 IK08
Protection IP20 IP20 IP30 IP42
(IP)
IP54
Seismic Reference
Reference IEC 61587-5
performance IEC 61587-2
Shielding
Reference IEC 61587-3
performance
Application example:
A subrack in accordance with IEC 60917-2-3 complies with the following test requirements:
• climatic: C2 (see Table 2);
• industrial atmosphere: A1 (see Table 3);
• static load: SL2 (see Table 4);
• vibration: DL1V (see Table 17);
• shock: DL1S (see Table 17);
• safety aspects: 8.2.1;
• protection to: IP30 (see Table 30).
6 Climatic tests
6.1 General
It is the objective of the climatic tests to ensure that cabinets, racks, subracks, chassis with
an integrated subrack and associated plug-in units will survive the particular environment in
which they will normally operate without degradation or creating a hazard.
Climatic tests shall be selected by reference to the application examples given in Table 2 for
cabinets, racks, subracks or chassis with an integrated subrack and associated plug-in units.
In order to claim compliance at a given level, all test criteria for that requirement level shall be
met.
6.2 Cold, dry heat and damp heat (cyclic)
Table 2 – Classifications for cold, dry heat and damp heat
Classification Application examples Dry heat Damp heat according
Cold
according to according to to IEC 60068-2-30
IEC 60068-2-1 IEC 60068-2-2 (cyclic 2×), variant 2,
upper limit
a a
Temper- Duration Temper- Duration
ature ature
°C h °C h °C
C1 −10 16 55 16 55
Enclosed spaces without
particular stresses (for
example office, laboratory)
with temperatures between
−10 °C and +55 °C, 20 %
to 80 % RH: non-
condensing
C2
Enclosed spaces subject to −25 16 70 16 55
climatic stress (for example
production halls) with
temperatures between
−25 °C and +70 °C, 20 %
to 80 % RH: non-
condensing
C3 Extreme climatic stresses −40 16 85 16 55
(for example open air,
tropical climate) with
temperatures between
−40 °C and +85 °C, 20 %
to 95 % RH: non-
condensing
a
The duration shall be measured from the moment temperature stability of the test sample is reached.

– 12 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
Assessment following the tests:
a) Visual examination (see IEC 60512-1-1, test 1a).
b) Earth bond continuity check to be carried out in accordance with 8.2.
c) For shielding performance examination, see IEC 61587-3:2013 (Table 1).
6.3 Industrial atmosphere
Table 3 – Classifications for industrial atmosphere
Classification Application examples Test conditions Assessment
following the test
Sulphur dioxide test Salt mist test
and hydrogen sulphide Ka according
test, at 25 °C and 75 % to IEC 60068-
RH (extended range at 2-11
40 °C and 80 % RH) at 35 °C
according to (extended
IEC 60068-2-42, range as
IEC 60068-2-43 and IEC 60068-2-
IEC 60068-2-49 52)
SO H S NaCl
2 2
3 3 3 3
A1 Moderate concentration of 10 cm /m 1 cm /m – Visual examination
harmful substances, general (for example
4 days 4 days
industrial use with low alteration in surface
chemical emissions (for finish, traces of
example enclosed spaces) corrosion, colour,
and concentrations degree of lustre)
according to IEC 60654-4,
For shielding gasket
namely;
performance
3 3
SO : mean 0,1 cm /m examination see
maximum IEC 61587-3
3 3
0,5 cm /m
3 3 3 3
A2 Heavy concentration of 25 cm /m 10 cm /m – Visual examination
harmful substances, with (for example
to
4 days
considerable chemical
alteration in surface
3 3
15 cm /m
emissions (for example finish, traces of
chemical industry, field corrosion, colour,
4 days
work) and concentrations degree of lustre).
according to IEC 60654-4
Variation in
namely:
resistance of
3 3
SO : mean 5 cm /m earthing conductor
maximum junctions, see 8.2
3 3
15 cm /m
For shielding gasket
3 3
H S: mean 10 cm /m performance
maximum examination see
3 3
50 cm /m IEC 61587-3
3 3 3 3
A3 25 cm /m 10 cm /m
Heavy concentration of 5 % Visual examination
harmful substances 96 h at 35°C (for example
to
4 days
combined with stress due to alteration in surface
Extended
3 3
15 cm /m
maritime climate (for finish, traces of
range:
example seaborne chemical corrosion, colour,
4 days
5%
processing technology, degree of lustre)
drilling rigs) and
1 cycle: 146 h
Variation in
concentrations according to
at 35 °C
resistance of
IEC 60654-4, namely:
earthing conductor
3 3
SO : mean 5 cm /m junctions, see 8.2
maximum
For shielding gasket
3 3
15 cm /m
performance
3 3
H S: mean 10 cm /m examination see
maximum IEC 61587-3
3 3
50 cm /m
NOTE The tests can be performed on individual components and sample units or component assemblies instead
of the original units (cabinets, racks and subracks, chassis) if the replacement items and the original sample
share the same materials and surface treatments.

7 Mechanical tests
7.1 General
Mechanical tests shall be selected from the following subclauses according to the required
application. Compliance to a given subclause is only achieved when all test criteria from that
subclause are met.
7.2 Tests for subracks or chassis with an integrated subrack and associated plug-in
units according to IEC 60917 or IEC 60297
7.2.1 Static mechanical load tests of a subrack or a chassis with an integrated
subrack
7.2.1.1 Load bearing – General
The purpose of the test is to evaluate the load bearing capability of the structural parts of the
IEC 60917 or IEC 60297 series of subracks or chassis with an integrated subrack. This
includes subracks per IEC 60297-3-101 (conventional 19 in subrack), IEC 60297-3-107 (small
form factor 19 in subrack), and IEC 60297-3-108 (R-type 19 in subrack).
7.2.1.2 Static mechanical load test fixture for subracks or chassis with an integrated
subrack
An IEC 60917 or IEC 60297 series compliant subrack or chassis with an integrated subrack
shall be mounted in a rigid test fixture via the standard mounting flanges as shown in
Figure 1. This applies to subracks designed for either vertically or horizontally oriented plug-in
units.
Subrack or chassis
with integrated subrack
Top view
Front view
Chassis with
Subrack
integrated
subrack
Mounting flange
Test fixture
IEC
Figure 1 – Static mechanical load test fixture for a subrack
or a chassis with an integrated subrack

– 14 – IEC 61587-1:2016 © IEC 2016
7.2.1.3 Subrack mechanical load test and assessment – Vertical mounted plug-in
units
7.2.1.3.1 General
The minimum definition of the subrack for the mechanical load test is shown in Figure 2 and
consists of 2 end plates connected by 2 front horizontal members and 2 rear horizontal
members or combinations thereof. The deflection of the lower front/rear subrack load bearing
horizontal members is used as an indirect measure of the load bearing capability of the
subrack and deflection shall be less than the defined value. Thus the front subrack horizontal
members will prevent disengagement of the plug-in units from the guide rails, misalignment
with plug-in unit front panel alignment pins and plug-in unit front panel retention devices. The
rear horizontal members may be braced by an application specific component such as a
backplane, a backpanel or a direct mounted fixed connector system warranting application
specific rear horizontal members. It shall be reported if the subrack under test is assembled
with such a component. If the subrack is an integral part of a chassis the same subrack/plug-
in unit interfaces are tested.
A single point load P3 shall be applied equally to all lower horizontal members along the
centre line of the subrack as outlined in Figure 2 and Table 4.
Rear horizontal
members
D1 or Ds
End plate (2×)
P3
n × U
n × SU
Maximum deflection
Center line
front-rear less than
Front horizontal
0,4 mm
members
IEC
Key
For U see IEC 60297-3-100
For D1 see IEC 60297-3-101
For SU see IEC 60917-2-2
For Ds see IEC 60917-2-2
Figure 2 – Single point (P3) load test for a subrack
7.2.1.3.2 Chassis with an integrated subrack mechanical load test – Vertical
mounted plug-in units
The maximum deflection of the subrack load bearing members as an integral part of the
chassis and the deflection of the chassis under load shall be less than the defined value. See
Figure 3 and Table 4. The performance levels chosen are based on industry specifications for
the intended applications.
D1 or Ds
P3
n × U
n × SU
Maximum
deflection
less than
0,4 mm
Maximum deflection
less than 0,4 mm
Center position
Typical additional
support
IEC
Key
For U see IEC 60297-3-100
For D1 see IEC 60297-3-101
For SU see IEC 60917-2-2
For Ds see IEC 60917-2-2
Figure 3 – Single point (P3) load test for a chassis with an integrated subrack
Table 4 – Static mechanical load performance levels for subracks –
Vertical mounted plug-in units
Performance level Single point load P3
N
SL1 46
SL2 69
SL3 92
SL7 120
SL8 156
SL9 200
SL10 260
7.2.1.3.3 Assessment following the vertical plug-in unit P3 load test
The acceptance criteria are the following.
a) The maximum deflection of the lower subrack members or the underside of the chassis
shall be less than 0,4 mm.
b) There shall be no structural deformation affecting form, fit and function.
c) If the load P3 cannot be applied at the location specified in Figure 2 or Figure 3 the
location used for testing shall be reported.
d) A typical report of the test results for the subrack is shown in Table 5.
Table 5 – Typical test report of the mechanical P3 load test
Subrack per IEC Subrack width Performance level
IEC 60297-3-101 84HP SL3
...