IEC 61482-2:2018
(Main)Live working - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc - Part 2: Requirements
Live working - Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc - Part 2: Requirements
IEC 61482-2:2018 is applicable to protective clothing used in work where there is the risk of exposure to an electric arc hazard. This document specifies requirements and test methods applicable to materials and garments for protective clothing for electrical workers against the thermal hazards of an electric arc. Electric shock hazard is not covered by this document, which is applicable in combination with standards covering such hazards. Other effects than the thermal effects of an electric arc like noise, light emissions, pressure rise, hot oil, electric shock, the consequences of physical and mental shock or toxic influences are not covered by this document. Protection of eyes, face, head, hands and feet against electric arc hazard is not covered by this document. Requirements and tests to cover electric arc hazards to these parts of the body are under development. Protective clothing for work intentionally using an electric arc, e.g. arc welding, plasma torch, is not covered by this document. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: new definition for ELIM, ATPV and EBT as used in accordance with IEC 61482-1-1:–; new requirements for the thermal stability of the intermediate layers; additional material requirement for volume resistance; new test procedure for the thermal resistance of sewing threads and a new symbol for marking.
Key words: Electric Arc, Protective Clothing, Arc Thermal Protection
Travaux sous tension - Vêtements de protection contre les dangers thermiques d'un arc électrique - Partie 2: Exigences
IEC 61482-2:2018est applicable aux vętements de protection utilisés pour réaliser des travaux lorsqu’il y a un risque d’exposition à un danger d’arc électrique. Le présent document spécifie les exigences et les méthodes d’essai applicables aux matériaux et aux articles d’habillement utilisés pour les vętements de protection des travailleurs du domaine électrique contre les dangers thermiques d’un arc électrique. Les dangers de chocs électriques ne sont pas couverts par le présent document, qui est applicable en combinaison avec les normes couvrant ce type de dangers. Le présent document ne couvre que les effets thermiques d’un arc électrique, et ne couvre pas les effets comme le bruit, les émissions lumineuses, l’augmentation de la pression, l’huile chaude, le choc électrique, les conséquences d’un choc physique ou mental ou des effets toxiques lors d’un arc électrique. Le présent document ne couvre pas la protection des yeux, du visage, de la tęte, des mains et des pieds contre le danger d’arc électrique. Les exigences et les essais applicables aux dangers d’arc électrique concernant ces parties du corps sont en cours d’élaboration. Le présent document ne couvre pas les vętements de protection portés pour réaliser des travaux utilisant intentionnellement un arc électrique, par exemple le soudage à l’arc, l'usage d'une torche à plasma. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2009. La présente édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: nouvelle définition des valeurs d’ELIM, d’ATPV et d’EBT, telles qu’utilisées conformément à l’IEC 61482-1-1:
- nouvelles exigences relatives à la stabilité thermique des couches intermédiaires;
- exigence supplémentaire du matériau concernant la résistance électrique;
- nouvelle procédure d’essai pour la résistance thermique des fils de couture;
- nouveau symbole de marquage.
Mots-clés: arc électrique, vętements de protection, protection thermique contre l’arc
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IEC 61482-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of
an electric arc –
Part 2: Requirements
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IEC 61482-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of
an electric arc –
Part 2: Requirements
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.220.40; 29.260.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-5757-9
– 2 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and units . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Symbols and units. 12
4 Requirements . 12
4.1 General . 12
4.2 Design requirements for protective clothing . 12
4.3 General material requirements . 14
4.3.1 Heat resistance . 14
4.3.2 Volume resistance . 14
4.3.3 Limited flame spread of material . 14
4.3.4 Mechanical properties of woven outer material . 16
4.3.5 Dimensional change of material due to laundering and/or dry cleaning
of outer material . 16
4.4 Arc thermal resistance protection requirements . 16
4.4.1 General . 17
4.4.2 Arc rating . 18
4.4.3 Arc protection classes . 18
4.5 Marking . 18
4.6 Instructions for use . 18
5 Tests . 19
5.1 General . 19
5.1.1 Overview . 19
5.1.2 Test conditions . 19
5.1.3 Pre-treatment - Laundering and/or dry by cleaning . 19
5.2 Tests of design requirements for protective clothing . 19
5.2.1 General . 19
5.2.2 Garment construction and workmanship . 20
5.2.3 Size designation and ergonomics . 20
5.2.4 Ageing . 20
5.2.5 Threads, accessories and closures . 20
5.3 Tests of general material requirements . 21
5.3.1 Heat resistance . 21
5.3.2 Volume resistance . 21
5.3.3 Limited flame spread of material . 21
5.3.4 Mechanical properties of woven outer material . 21
5.3.5 Dimensional change due to laundering and/or dry cleaning of outer
material . 22
5.4 Tests of arc thermal resistance protection requirements . 22
5.4.1 Type tests . 22
5.4.2 Alternative means to arc thermal resistance protection test to fulfil
conformity assessment of protective clothing having completed the
production phase . 22
5.5 Marking . 23
5.5.1 Visual inspection . 23
5.5.2 Durability of marking . 23
5.6 Instructions for use . 23
6 Conformity assessment of protective clothing having completed the production
phase . 23
7 Modifications . 23
Annex A (normative) Marking and instructions for use . 24
A.1 Marking . 24
A.2 Instructions for use . 25
Annex (informative) Use and maintenance .
Annex B (normative) Type tests . 27
Annex C (normative) Classification of defects . 28
Annex D (informative) Rationale for the classification of defects . 31
Bibliography . 33
Table 1 – Single-layer material . 15
Table 2 – Outer and innermost layer materials . 15
Table 3 – Intermediate layer material not intended for arc thermal protection . 15
Table 4 – Intermediate layer material intended for arc thermal protection . 16
Table B.1 – List of type tests . 27
Table C.1 – Classification of defects and associated requirements and tests . 28
Table D.1 – Justification for the type of defect . 31
– 4 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING –
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST
THE THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –
Part 2: Requirements
FOREWORD
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This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.
International Standard IEC 61482-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) new definition for ELIM, ATPV and EBT as used in accordance with IEC 61482-1-1:–;
b) new requirements for the thermal stability of the intermediate layers;
c) additional material requirement for volume resistance;
d) new test procedure for the thermal resistance of sewing threads;
e) new symbol for marking.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
78/1205/FDIS 78/1228/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 document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
Terms defined in Clause 3 are given in italic print throughout this standard.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61482 series, published under the general title Live working –
Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, 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 publication using a colour printer.
– 6 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
INTRODUCTION
This document has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of IEC 61477.
The products designed and manufactured according to this document 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.
The product covered by this document 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 duration, and occur at the global, regional or local level.
This document 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.
LIVE WORKING –
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST
THE THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –
Part 2: Requirements
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61482 is applicable to protective clothing used in work where there is the risk
of exposure to an electric arc hazard.
This document specifies requirements and test methods applicable to materials and garments
for protective clothing for electrical workers against the thermal hazards of an electric arc
based on.
– relevant general properties of the textiles, tested with selected textile test methods, and
– arc thermal resistance properties, such as
• the arc rating of materials (ATPV or E ), when tested with an open electric arc
BT50
under defined laboratory conditions according to IEC 61482-1-1, or
• the arc protection class of materials and garments (Class 1 or Class 2), when tested
with a directed and constrained electric arc under defined laboratory conditions
according to IEC 61482-1-2.
Requirements of this standard do not address electric shock hazards. The present standard is
applicable in combination with standards covering such hazards.
NOTE 1 If conductive fibres are used in the construction of the garments the risk for electric shock hazard should
be considered.
This standard does not contain requirements for the protection of head, hands and feet.
NOTE 2 Requirements and tests to cover these hazards are under development.
Requirements of this standard do not cover the electric arc hazards of electric shock, noise,
UV emissions, pressure shrapnel, hot oil, the consequences of physical and mental shock and
the toxic influences.
NOTE 3 The standard is applicable in combination with standards covering such hazards.
Electric shock hazard is not covered by this document, which is applicable in combination with
standards covering such hazards.
Other effects than the thermal effects of an electric arc like noise, light emissions, pressure
rise, hot oil, electric shock, the consequences of physical and mental shock or toxic
influences are not covered by this document.
Protection of eyes, face, head, hands and feet against electric arc hazard is not covered by
this document.
NOTE Requirements and tests to cover electric arc hazards to these parts of the body are under development.
Protective clothing for work intentionally using an electric arc, e.g. arc welding, plasma torch,
is not covered by this document.
– 8 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
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 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment (available at: http://www.graphical-
symbols.info/equipment)
IEC 61318:2007, Live working – Conformity assessment applicable to tools, devices and
equipment
IEC 61340-2-3:2016, Electrostatics – Part 2-3: Methods of test for determining the resistance
and resistivity of solid materials used to avoid electrostatic charge accumulation
IEC 61477, Live working – Minimum requirements for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
, Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an
IEC 61482-1-1:–
electric arc – Part 1-1: Test methods – Method 1: Determination of the arc rating (ELIM, ATPV
and/or E EBT) of flame resistant materials for clothing materials and of protective clothing
BT50
using an open arc
IEC 61482-1-2:2007, Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an
electric arc – Part 1-2: Test methods – Method 2: Determination of arc protection class of
material and clothing by using a constrained and directed arc (box test)
ISO 3175-2, Textiles – Professional care, drycleaning and wetcleaning of fabrics and
garments – Part 2: Procedure for testing performance when cleaning and finishing using
tetrachloroethene
ISO 3146, Plastics – Determination of melting behaviour (melting temperature or melting
range) of semi-crystalline polymers by capillary tube and polarizing-microscope methods
ISO 3758, Textiles – Care labelling code using symbols
ISO 5077, Textiles – Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying
ISO 6330, Textiles – Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
ISO 13688:1998 2013, Protective clothing – General requirements
ISO 13934-1, Textiles – Tensile properties of fabrics – Part 1: Determination of maximum
force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method
ISO 13937-2, Textiles – Tear properties of fabrics – Part 2: Determination of tear force of
trouser-shaped test specimens (Single tear method)
ISO 13938-1, Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – Part 1: Hydraulic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension
___________
Under preparation. Stage at time of publication: IEC CDV 61482-1-1:2017.
ISO 13938-2, Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – Part 2: Pneumatic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 14116:2007, Protective clothing – Protection against heat and flame – Limited flame
spread materials, material assemblies and clothing
ISO 15025:2000, Protective clothing – Protection against heat and flame – Method of test for
limited flame spread
ISO 17493:2016, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat – Test method for
convective heat resistance using a hot air circulating oven
ISO 30023, Textiles – Qualification symbols for labelling workwear to be industrially laundered
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and units
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61318 and the
following 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
3.1.1
arc protection class
APC
category of arc thermal protection of a material and/or product tested in
accordance with the box test (APC 1 or APC 2)
Note 1 to entry: The arc protection class is characterized by the test energy level of arc exposure (arc energy and
incident energy).
Note 2 to entry: Tested material and/or products show arc thermal protection at minimum up to the class energy
level but, in general, the actual exposure energy limit up to which the material and/or product provide protection is
higher.
3.1.2
arc rating
numerical value attributed to a product, that describes its protective
performance when exposed to an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The arc rating can be the arc thermal performance value (ATPV), the breakopen threshold energy
(EBT) or the incident energy limit (ELIM).
2 2
Note 2 to entry: The arc rating is expressed in kJ/m (cal/cm ).
3.1.3
arc thermal protection
degree of thermal protection offered against electric arc under specific
arc testing conditions indicated by either arc rating or arc protection class
Note 1 to entry: For materials, the arc thermal performance protection is obtained from the measurement of the
transmitted energy and by evaluation of other thermal parameters (burning time, hole formation, melting).
Note 2 to entry: For garments, the arc thermal performance protection is obtained by evaluation of thermal
parameters (burning time, hole formation, melting) of the material(s) from which the garment is made and of the
functioning of fasteners the closures and accessories.
– 10 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
[Definition 3.5 of IEC 61482-1-2:2007]
3.1.4
arc thermal performance value
ATPV
in arc testing, the incident energy on a material or a multilayer system of materials that results
in a 50 % probability that sufficient heat transfer through the tested specimen is predicted to
cause the onset of a second degree skin burn injury based on the Stoll curve, without
breakopen
2 2 2 )
NOTE ATPV is expressed in kJ/m or kW·s/m (cal/cm ).
[Definition 3.1.4 of IEC 61482-1-1]
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product that describes
its thermal properties of attenuating (reducing) a heat flux generated by an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The ATPV of a material or material assembly is calculated using logistic regression analysis
applied to the data points obtained from testing a set of test specimens. It is the value of incident energy at which
the heat transfer through the test specimens is enough to reach the Stoll criteria with 50 % probability.
Note 2 to entry: The ATPV attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the ATPV
of the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
3.1.5
breakopen threshold energy
E EBT
BT50
incident energy on a fabric or material that results in a 50 % probability that sufficient heat
transfer through the tested specimen is predicted to cause the tested specimen to break open
2 2 2 )
NOTE The breakopen threshold energy is expressed in kJ/m or kW·s/m (cal/cm ).
[Definition 3.1.8 of IEC 61482-1-1, modified]
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product that describes
its breakopen properties when exposed to heat flux generated by an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The EBT of a material or material assembly is calculated using logistic regression analysis
applied to the data points obtained from testing a set of test specimens. It is the value of incident energy at which
breakopen occurs with 50 % probability.
Note 2 to entry: The EBT attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the EBT of
the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
3.4
clothing
assembly of garments worn by workers
3.1.6
electric arc
self-maintained gas conduction for which most of the charge carriers are electrons supplied
by primary-electron emission
Note 1 to entry: During live working, the electric arc is generated by gas ionization arising from an unintentional
electrical conducting connection or breakdown between live parts or a live part and the earth path of an electrical
installation or an electrical device. During testing, the electric arc is initiated by the blowing of a fuse wire.
___________
2) 2 2 2 2
Correlation 1 cal/cm = 41,868 kJ/m ; 1 kJ/m = 0,023885 cal/cm .
3) 2 2 2 2
Correlation 1 cal/cm = 41,868 kJ/m ; 1 kJ/m = 0,023885 cal/cm .
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-121:1998, 121-13-12, modified – Note 1 to entry has been added to
refer specifically to live working and arc testing.]
3.1.7
electric arc hazard
potential harm from an energy release from an electric arc usually caused by a short circuit or
equipment failure in electrotechnical work
Note 1 to entry: An electric arc hazard exists when live electrical conductors or parts are exposed and when they
are inside an item of equipment, even when guarded or enclosed, if a worker is interacting with the equipment in a
way which could cause an electric arc. Under normal operating conditions, enclosed energized equipment that has
been properly designed, installed and maintained is not likely to pose an electric arc hazard.
Note 2 to entry: Documents such as NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, ISSA Guide, and DGUV-I 203-77 help to assess
hazards from the practical perspective.
Note 3 to entry: The hazards may include thermal effects, noise, pressure wave effects, ejected parts effects,
molten metal, optical and other effects. Different PPE (personal protective equipment) may be required to protect
from different effects. It is important that the risk assessment consider all the potential effects.
3.1.8
garment
single item of clothing which may can consist of single or multiple layers of material
3.1.9
garment system
garment assembly for which a specific arc rating or arc protection class is attributed after
having performed an arc test
3.1.10
hardware
non-fabric items forming part of or optional extras in a garment
3.1.11
incident energy limit
ELIM
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product, below which
there is no data point with the amount of heat transmitted through the product reaching the
Stoll criteria or with the product exhibiting breakopen
Note 1 to entry: The ELIM of a material or material assembly is calculated from data points obtained from testing
a set of test specimens, which are also used for the determination of the ATPV and/or EBT.
Note 2 to entry: The ELIM attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the ELIM
of the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
3.1.12
material
fabric or other substances of which the garment is made, this may consist of single or multiple
layers
substances, excluding hardware, of which an item of clothing is made
[SOURCE ISO 11612:2015, 3.13]
3.1.13
open arc
electric arc between two vertically opposing electrodes intended to
provide an equal distribution of emitted energy around the centre line formed by the
electrodes and where the emitted energy is not directed by means of any physical constraints
(e.g. enclosure, wall)
– 12 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
3.1.14
protective clothing
clothing which covers or replaces personal clothing, and which is designed to provide clothing
which covers or replaces personal clothing and which is designed to provide protection
against one or more hazards
[Definition 3.4 of ISO 13688:1998 SOURCE: ISO/TR 11610:2004, 3.178]
3.9
Stoll curve
curve of thermal energy and time produced from data on human tissue tolerance to heat and
used to predict the onset of second-degree burn injury
[Definition 3.29 of IEC 61482-1-2:2007]
3.10
test current
I ,
arc class
prospective short-circuit current of the electric test circuit (predicted current), characterising a
test class, r.m.s. value (symmetrical AC component)
NOTE Test current is expressed in A.
[Definition 3.30 of IEC 61482-1-2:2007]
3.2 Symbols and units
APC arc protection class 1 or 2
2 2
ATPV arc thermal performance value kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2
EBT breakopen threshold energy kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2
ELIM incident energy limit kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2 2 2
NOTE 1 kJ/m = 1 kW·s/m = 0,1 J/cm = 0,023 885 cal/cm
2 2 2
1 cal/cm = 41,840 kJ/m = 41,840 kW·s/m
4 Requirements
4.1 General
General requirements for protective clothing against the thermal hazard of an electric arc
which are not specifically covered in this document shall be in accordance with ISO 13688.
4.2 Design requirements for protective clothing
The garment shall be designed in a way, that they do not influence or hinder the wearer
performing work.
Garments protecting the upper part of the body shall have long sleeves.
Fasteners of the garment shall be designed in a way that the opening function is still present
after being exposed to an accidental arc.
Thread, accessories and closures used in garment construction shall not contribute to the
severity of the injuries to the wearer in the event of a momentary electric arc and related
thermal exposure.
No exposed external metal shall be permitted in the clothing. If internal metal and/or melting
parts (e.g. fasteners, buttons, and accessories) are used they shall be covered to the inside
to avoid skin contact.
All parts of a garment shall be made of arc thermal resistant materials. In case different
materials are used e.g. for the front and back the exact information shall be given where the
weaker area is located (e.g. by means of a drawing of the garment including dimensions and
warning indication).
The front side of the garment and the complete sleeves (all around the arms and over the
complete length of the arms) of the garment (e.g. jackets) shall fulfil the same arc thermal
resistance requirements. If due to comfort requirements the garment is not produced of the
same materials in all areas then this shall be clearly stated in the instructions for use.
NOTE 1 These requirements are also valid for garments protecting the lower part of the body (e.g. trousers,
chaps, leggings).
Sewing thread utilized in the construction of garments shall be made of an inherently flame-
resistant fibre and shall not melt when tested at a temperature of 260 °C in accordance with
ISO 17493. There are many seams in a garment that have no influence on protection, e.g.
hems, pocket seams, etc. The sewing thread there need not be flame resistant.
During its service life, protective clothing shall keep its arc thermal properties when cleaned
according to the instructions for use.
If a single manufacturer makes claims for a garment system as arc thermal protective
clothing, then this garment system shall be tested and shall fulfil the requirements of this
standard.
NOTE 2 If the user is wearing a garment system (e.g. jacket + shirt) from different manufacturers as arc thermal
protective clothing, then this garment system should be tested to determine how the system fulfils the requirements
of this standard.
Garments protecting the upper part of the body shall have sleeves which extend to provide full
coverage to the wrists and shall provide coverage up to the neck. Garments protecting the
lower part of the body shall provide full coverage from the waist to the ankles.
Closures of the garment shall be designed in a way that the opening function is still present
after being exposed to an arc when tested according to 5.2.5.
Accessories (e.g. labels, badges, retro-reflective material) and closures used in garment
construction shall not contribute to the severity of the injuries to the wearer in the event of an
electric arc and related thermal exposure when the clothing is tested according to the garment
test in 5.4. Separation of the closure shall not occur.
Sewing thread utilized in the construction of garments shall be made of an inherently flame-
resistant fibre and shall not melt when tested according to 5.2.5. Threads in seams that have
no influence on protection, e.g. hems, pocket seams, need not be flame resistant.
No uncovered outside metal parts shall be permitted in the clothing. Hardware penetrating the
outer material of the garment shall not be exposed to the innermost surface of the garment.
All exposed parts of a garment shall be made of arc thermal protection materials. In case
different materials are used for the front and back of the garment, the exact information shall
be given in the instructions for use where the weakest area is located (e.g. by means of a
drawing of the garment including dimensions and warning indication).
– 14 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
NOTE 1 The user can carry out a hazard risk assessment to determine the level of protection needed. Documents
such as NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, ISSA Guide, and DGUV-I 203-77 help to assess hazards from the practical
perspective.
For garments covering torso and arms, the front side and the sleeves all around the arms and
over their complete length shall fulfil the same arc thermal protection.
For garments covering legs, the front over the complete length shall fulfil the same arc
thermal protection.
For coveralls, both requirements for garments covering torso and arms and garments covering
legs shall be fulfilled.
Where protection is provided by an outer two-piece suit, it shall be determined that, when
correctly sized for the wearer, an overlap between the jacket and trousers remains when one
standing wearer firstly fully extends both arms above the head and then bends over until the
fingertips touch the ground when tested according to 5.2.1.
If a manufacturer makes claims for a garment system as arc thermal protective clothing, then
this garment system shall be tested and shall fulfil the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 If the user is wearing garments from different manufacturers as arc thermal protective clothing, he is
responsible for assessing how the assembly fulfils the requirements of this document.
4.3 General material requirements
4.3.1 Heat resistance
Materials shall not ignite, melt or shrink by more than 5 % when tested according to 5.3.1.
4.3.2 Volume resistance
Materials of the garment using electrically conductive fibres, except for garments meeting
IEC 60895, when tested according to 5.3.2, shall have a volume resistance of at least 10 Ω.
4.3.3 Limited flame spread of material
4.3.3.1 Classification of limited flame spread index
All materials claiming compliance with this standard shall achieve a specified limited flame
spread index when tested in accordance with ISO 15025 Procedure A (see 5.3.1) and
classified according to ISO 14116.
All materials shall achieve a specified limited flame spread index when tested according to
5.3.3 and shall be classified according to Tables 1 to 4.
4.3.3.2 Single-layer material
If a single-layer material is used in the garment, this material shall fulfil the limited flame
spread index 3 requirements given in Table 1.
Table 1 – Single-layer material
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.2, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
4.3.3.3 Multi-layer material
If a multi-layer material is used in the garment, the following requirements shall be fulfilled:
– all outer layer and innermost layer materials shall fulfil the limited flame spread index 3,
– all middle layers shall fulfil in minimum the flame spread index 1.
If the garment consists of multiple layers, all outer-layer and innermost-layer materials shall
fulfil the requirements given in Table 2.
Table 2 – Outer and innermost layer materials
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
In addition, if the garment consists of more than two layers, each intermediate layer,
depending on the intention declared by the manufacturer to contribute either to the arc
thermal protection or not, shall fulfil Table 4 or Table 3, respectively.
Table 3 – Intermediate layer material not intended for arc thermal protection
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame or hole to reach the
upper or either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
NOTE Such intermediate layers are only used for specific protection other than arc thermal protection, for
example protection against liquid penetration and/or wind.
– 16 – IEC 61482-2:2018 RLV © IEC 2018
Table 4 – Intermediate layer material intended for arc thermal protection
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
NOTE Such intermediate layers are designated to increase the arc thermal protection.
4.3.4 Mechanical properties of woven outer material
4.3.4.1 Tear resistance
Woven and laminated outer material shall have a tear resistance of at least 15 N for weight
2 2 2
higher than 220 g/m or at least 10 N for weight within 150 g/m and of 220 g/m or below in
the machine and the cross directions when tested according to ISO 13937-2 5.3.4.1.
4.3.4.2 Tensile strength
Woven and laminated outer material shall have a tensile strength of at least 400 N for weight
2 2 2
higher than 220 g/m or at least 250 N for weight within 150 g/m and of 220 g/m or below in
the machine and the cr
...
IEC 61482-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric
arc –
Part 2: Requirements
Travaux sous tension – Vêtements de protection contre les dangers thermiques
d'un arc électrique –
Partie 2: Exigences
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IEC 61482-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric
arc –
Part 2: Requirements
Travaux sous tension – Vêtements de protection contre les dangers thermiques
d'un arc électrique –
Partie 2: Exigences
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 13.220.40; 29.260.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-5717-3
– 2 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and units . 8
3.1 Terms and definitions . 8
3.2 Symbols and units. 11
4 Requirements . 11
4.1 General . 11
4.2 Design requirements for protective clothing . 11
4.3 General material requirements . 12
4.3.1 Heat resistance . 12
4.3.2 Volume resistance . 12
4.3.3 Limited flame spread of material . 12
4.3.4 Mechanical properties of outer material . 14
4.3.5 Dimensional change of material due to cleaning . 14
4.4 Arc thermal protection requirements . 14
4.4.1 General . 14
4.4.2 Arc rating . 14
4.4.3 Arc protection classes . 15
4.5 Marking . 15
4.6 Instructions for use . 15
5 Tests . 15
5.1 General . 15
5.1.1 Overview . 15
5.1.2 Test conditions . 16
5.1.3 Pre-treatment by cleaning . 16
5.2 Tests of design requirements for protective clothing . 16
5.2.1 General . 16
5.2.2 Garment construction and workmanship . 16
5.2.3 Size designation and ergonomics . 17
5.2.4 Ageing . 17
5.2.5 Threads and closures . 17
5.3 Tests of general material requirements . 17
5.3.1 Heat resistance . 17
5.3.2 Volume resistance . 17
5.3.3 Limited flame spread of material . 17
5.3.4 Mechanical properties of outer material . 18
5.3.5 Dimensional change due to laundering and/or dry cleaning . 18
5.4 Tests of arc thermal protection requirements . 18
5.4.1 Type tests . 18
5.4.2 Alternative means to arc thermal protection test to fulfil conformity
assessment of protective clothing having completed the production
phase . 18
5.5 Marking . 19
5.5.1 Visual inspection . 19
5.5.2 Durability of marking . 19
5.6 Instructions for use . 19
6 Conformity assessment of protective clothing having completed the production
phase . 19
7 Modifications . 19
Annex A (normative) Marking and instructions for use . 20
A.1 Marking . 20
A.2 Instructions for use . 21
Annex B (normative) Type tests . 22
Annex C (normative) Classification of defects . 23
Annex D (informative) Rationale for the classification of defects . 24
Bibliography . 26
Table 1 – Single-layer material . 12
Table 2 – Outer and innermost layer materials . 13
Table 3 – Intermediate layer material not intended for arc thermal protection . 13
Table 4 – Intermediate layer material intended for arc thermal protection . 13
Table B.1 – List of type tests . 22
Table C.1 – Classification of defects and associated requirements and tests . 23
Table D.1 – Justification for the type of defect . 24
– 4 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIVE WORKING –
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST
THE THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –
Part 2: 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 61482-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) new definition for ELIM, ATPV and EBT as used in accordance with IEC 61482-1-1:–;
b) new requirements for the thermal stability of the intermediate layers;
c) additional material requirement for volume resistance;
d) new test procedure for the thermal resistance of sewing threads;
e) new symbol for marking.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
78/1205/FDIS 78/1228/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 document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
Terms defined in Clause 3 are given in italic print throughout this standard.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61482 series, published under the general title Live working –
Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, 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.
– 6 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
INTRODUCTION
This document has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of IEC 61477.
The products designed and manufactured according to this document 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.
The product covered by this document 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 duration, and occur at the global, regional or local level.
This document 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.
LIVE WORKING –
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST
THE THERMAL HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –
Part 2: Requirements
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61482 is applicable to protective clothing used in work where there is the risk
of exposure to an electric arc hazard.
This document specifies requirements and test methods applicable to materials and garments
for protective clothing for electrical workers against the thermal hazards of an electric arc.
Electric shock hazard is not covered by this document, which is applicable in combination with
standards covering such hazards.
Other effects than the thermal effects of an electric arc like noise, light emissions, pressure
rise, hot oil, electric shock, the consequences of physical and mental shock or toxic
influences are not covered by this document.
Protection of eyes, face, head, hands and feet against electric arc hazard is not covered by
this document.
NOTE Requirements and tests to cover electric arc hazards to these parts of the body are under development.
Protective clothing for work intentionally using an electric arc, e.g. arc welding, plasma torch,
is not covered by this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment (available at: http://www.graphical-
symbols.info/equipment)
IEC 61318, Live working – Conformity assessment applicable to tools, devices and equipment
IEC 61340-2-3:2016, Electrostatics – Part 2-3: Methods of test for determining the resistance
and resistivity of solid materials used to avoid electrostatic charge accumulation
IEC 61477, Live working – Minimum requirements for the utilization of tools, devices and
equipment
– 8 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
IEC 61482-1-1:– , Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an
electric arc – Part 1-1: Test methods – Method 1: Determination of the arc rating (ELIM, ATPV
and/or EBT) of clothing materials and of protective clothing using an open arc
IEC 61482-1-2, Live working –Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric
arc – Part 1-2: Test methods – Method 2: Determination of arc protection class of material
and clothing by using a constrained and directed arc (box test)
ISO 3146, Plastics – Determination of melting behaviour (melting temperature or melting
range) of semi-crystalline polymers by capillary tube and polarizing-microscope methods
ISO 3758, Textiles – Care labelling code using symbols
ISO 5077, Textiles – Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying
ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing – General requirements
ISO 13934-1, Textiles – Tensile properties of fabrics – Part 1: Determination of maximum
force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method
ISO 13937-2, Textiles – Tear properties of fabrics – Part 2: Determination of tear force of
trouser-shaped test specimens (Single tear method)
ISO 13938-1, Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – Part 1: Hydraulic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 13938-2, Textiles – Bursting properties of fabrics – Part 2: Pneumatic method for
determination of bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 15025, Protective clothing – Protection against flame – Method of test for limited flame
spread
ISO 17493:2016, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat – Test method for
convective heat resistance using a hot air circulating oven
ISO 30023, Textiles – Qualification symbols for labelling workwear to be industrially laundered
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and units
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61318 and the
following 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
___________
Under preparation. Stage at time of publication: IEC CDV 61482-1-1:2017.
3.1.1
arc protection class
APC
category of arc thermal protection of a material and/or product tested in
accordance with the box test (APC 1 or APC 2)
Note 1 to entry: The arc protection class is characterized by the test energy level of arc exposure (arc energy and
incident energy).
Note 2 to entry: Tested material and/or products show arc thermal protection at minimum up to the class energy
level but, in general, the actual exposure energy limit up to which the material and/or product provide protection is
higher.
3.1.2
arc rating
numerical value attributed to a product, that describes its protective
performance when exposed to an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The arc rating can be the arc thermal performance value (ATPV), the breakopen threshold energy
(EBT) or the incident energy limit (ELIM).
2 2
Note 2 to entry: The arc rating is expressed in kJ/m (cal/cm ).
3.1.3
arc thermal protection
degree of thermal protection offered against electric arc under specific
arc testing conditions indicated by either arc rating or arc protection class
Note 1 to entry: For materials, the arc thermal protection is obtained from the measurement of the transmitted
energy and by evaluation of other thermal parameters (burning time, hole formation, melting).
Note 2 to entry: For garments, the arc thermal protection is obtained by evaluation of thermal parameters (burning
time, hole formation, melting) of the material(s) from which the garment is made and of the functioning of the
closures and accessories.
3.1.4
arc thermal performance value
ATPV
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product that describes
its thermal properties of attenuating (reducing) a heat flux generated by an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The ATPV of a material or material assembly is calculated using logistic regression analysis
applied to the data points obtained from testing a set of test specimens. It is the value of incident energy at which
the heat transfer through the test specimens is enough to reach the Stoll criteria with 50 % probability.
Note 2 to entry: The ATPV attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the ATPV
of the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
3.1.5
breakopen threshold energy
EBT
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product that describes
its breakopen properties when exposed to heat flux generated by an electric arc
Note 1 to entry: The EBT of a material or material assembly is calculated using logistic regression analysis
applied to the data points obtained from testing a set of test specimens. It is the value of incident energy at which
breakopen occurs with 50 % probability.
Note 2 to entry: The EBT attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the EBT of
the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
– 10 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
3.1.6
electric arc
self-maintained gas conduction for which most of the charge carriers are electrons supplied
by primary-electron emission
Note 1 to entry: During live working, the electric arc is generated by gas ionization arising from an unintentional
electrical conducting connection or breakdown between live parts or a live part and the earth path of an electrical
installation or an electrical device. During testing, the electric arc is initiated by the blowing of a fuse wire.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-121:1998, 121-13-12, modified – Note 1 to entry has been added to
refer specifically to live working and arc testing.]
3.1.7
electric arc hazard
potential harm from an energy release from an electric arc usually caused by a short circuit or
equipment failure in electrotechnical work
Note 1 to entry: An electric arc hazard exists when live electrical conductors or parts are exposed and when they
are inside an item of equipment, even when guarded or enclosed, if a worker is interacting with the equipment in a
way which could cause an electric arc. Under normal operating conditions, enclosed energized equipment that has
been properly designed, installed and maintained is not likely to pose an electric arc hazard.
Note 2 to entry: Documents such as NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, ISSA Guide, and DGUV-I 203-77 help to assess
hazards from the practical perspective.
Note 3 to entry: The hazards may include thermal effects, noise, pressure wave effects, ejected parts effects,
molten metal, optical and other effects. Different PPE (personal protective equipment) may be required to protect
from different effects. It is important that the risk assessment consider all the potential effects.
3.1.8
garment
single item of clothing which can consist of single or multiple layers of material
3.1.9
garment system
garment assembly for which a specific arc rating or arc protection class is attributed after
having performed an arc test
3.1.10
hardware
non-fabric items forming part of or optional extras in a garment
3.1.11
incident energy limit
ELIM
numerical value of incident energy attributed to a product, below which
there is no data point with the amount of heat transmitted through the product reaching the
Stoll criteria or with the product exhibiting breakopen
Note 1 to entry: The ELIM of a material or material assembly is calculated from data points obtained from testing
a set of test specimens, which are also used for the determination of the ATPV and/or EBT.
Note 2 to entry: The ELIM attributed to a garment or garment assembly is either equal to or lower than the ELIM
of the material or material assembly of which it is made, depending on whether the tested specimen(s) fulfil also
additional visual design and performance assessment criteria.
3.1.12
material
substances, excluding hardware, of which an item of clothing is made
[SOURCE ISO 11612:2015, 3.13]
3.1.13
open arc
electric arc between two vertically opposing electrodes intended to
provide an equal distribution of emitted energy around the centre line formed by the
electrodes and where the emitted energy is not directed by means of any physical constraints
(e.g. enclosure, wall)
3.1.14
protective clothing
clothing which covers or replaces personal clothing, and which is designed to provide
protection against one or more hazards
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 11610:2004, 3.178]
3.2 Symbols and units
APC arc protection class 1 or 2
2 2
ATPV arc thermal performance value kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2
EBT breakopen threshold energy kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2
ELIM incident energy limit kJ/m or cal/cm
2 2 2 2
NOTE 1 kJ/m = 1 kW·s/m = 0,1 J/cm = 0,023 885 cal/cm
2 2 2
1 cal/cm = 41,840 kJ/m = 41,840 kW·s/m
4 Requirements
4.1 General
General requirements for protective clothing against the thermal hazard of an electric arc
which are not specifically covered in this document shall be in accordance with ISO 13688.
4.2 Design requirements for protective clothing
Garments protecting the upper part of the body shall have sleeves which extend to provide full
coverage to the wrists and shall provide coverage up to the neck. Garments protecting the
lower part of the body shall provide full coverage from the waist to the ankles.
Closures of the garment shall be designed in a way that the opening function is still present
after being exposed to an arc when tested according to 5.2.5.
Accessories (e.g. labels, badges, retro-reflective material) and closures used in garment
construction shall not contribute to the severity of the injuries to the wearer in the event of an
electric arc and related thermal exposure when the clothing is tested according to the garment
test in 5.4. Separation of the closure shall not occur.
Sewing thread utilized in the construction of garments shall be made of an inherently flame-
resistant fibre and shall not melt when tested according to 5.2.5. Threads in seams that have
no influence on protection, e.g. hems, pocket seams, need not be flame resistant.
No uncovered outside metal parts shall be permitted in the clothing. Hardware penetrating the
outer material of the garment shall not be exposed to the innermost surface of the garment.
All exposed parts of a garment shall be made of arc thermal protection materials. In case
different materials are used for the front and back of the garment, the exact information shall
be given in the instructions for use where the weakest area is located (e.g. by means of a
drawing of the garment including dimensions and warning indication).
– 12 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
NOTE 1 The user can carry out a hazard risk assessment to determine the level of protection needed. Documents
such as NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, ISSA Guide, and DGUV-I 203-77 help to assess hazards from the practical
perspective.
For garments covering torso and arms, the front side and the sleeves all around the arms and
over their complete length shall fulfil the same arc thermal protection.
For garments covering legs, the front over the complete length shall fulfil the same arc
thermal protection.
For coveralls, both requirements for garments covering torso and arms and garments covering
legs shall be fulfilled.
Where protection is provided by an outer two-piece suit, it shall be determined that, when
correctly sized for the wearer, an overlap between the jacket and trousers remains when one
standing wearer firstly fully extends both arms above the head and then bends over until the
fingertips touch the ground when tested according to 5.2.1.
If a manufacturer makes claims for a garment system as arc thermal protective clothing, then
this garment system shall be tested and shall fulfil the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 If the user is wearing garments from different manufacturers as arc thermal protective clothing, he is
responsible for assessing how the assembly fulfils the requirements of this document.
4.3 General material requirements
4.3.1 Heat resistance
Materials shall not ignite, melt or shrink by more than 5 % when tested according to 5.3.1.
4.3.2 Volume resistance
Materials of the garment using electrically conductive fibres, except for garments meeting
IEC 60895, when tested according to 5.3.2, shall have a volume resistance of at least 10 Ω.
4.3.3 Limited flame spread of material
4.3.3.1 Classification of limited flame spread
All materials shall achieve a specified limited flame spread index when tested according to
5.3.3 and shall be classified according to Tables 1 to 4.
4.3.3.2 Single-layer material
If a single-layer material is used in the garment, this material shall fulfil the requirements
given in Table 1.
Table 1 – Single-layer material
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.2, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
4.3.3.3 Multi-layer material
If the garment consists of multiple layers, all outer-layer and innermost-layer materials shall
fulfil the requirements given in Table 2.
Table 2 – Outer and innermost layer materials
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
In addition, if the garment consists of more than two layers, each intermediate layer,
depending on the intention declared by the manufacturer to contribute either to the arc
thermal protection or not, shall fulfil Table 4 or Table 3, respectively.
Table 3 – Intermediate layer material not intended for arc thermal protection
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame or hole to reach the
upper or either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
NOTE Such intermediate layers are only used for specific protection other than arc thermal protection, for
example protection against liquid penetration and/or wind.
Table 4 – Intermediate layer material intended for arc thermal protection
Property Requirement
Flame spread No specimen shall permit any part of the lowest boundary of any flame to reach the upper or
either vertical edge.
Flaming debris No specimen shall give flaming or molten debris.
Hole formation No specimen shall give hole formation of 5 mm or greater in any direction.
Afterglow Afterglow time shall be ≤ 2 s.
A glowing inside the charred area is defined in ISO 15025 as afterglow without combustion and,
for the purpose of 4.3.3.3, shall not be regarded as afterglow.
Afterflame Afterflame time shall be ≤ 2 s.
NOTE Such intermediate layers are designated to increase the arc thermal protection.
– 14 – IEC 61482-2:2018 © IEC 2018
4.3.4 Mechanical properties of outer material
4.3.4.1 Tear resistance
Woven and laminated outer material shall have a tear resistance of at least 15 N for weight
2 2
higher than 220 g/m or at least 10 N for weight of 220 g/m or below in the machine and the
cross directions when tested according to 5.3.4.1.
4.3.4.2 Tensile strength
Woven and laminated outer material shall have a tensile strength of at least 400 N for weight
2 2
higher than 220 g/m or at least 250 N for weight of 220 g/m or below in the machine and the
cross directions when tested according to 5.3.4.2.
4.3.4.3 Burst strength
The knitted outer material shall have a burst strength of at least 100 kPa while using a 50 cm
test area, or of at least 200 kPa while using a 7,3 cm test area when tested according to
5.3.4.3.
4.3.5 Dimensional change of material due to cleaning
The woven and laminated outermost and innermost material shall have a dimensional change
not exceeding ± 3 % in either length or width direction when tested according to 5.3.5.
The knitted outermost and innermost material shall have a dimensional change not exceeding
± 5 % when tested according to 5.3.5.
NOTE To verify the shrinkage of each single layer in a multi-layer assembly, it can be helpful to test the assembly
closed by sewing around the edges.
4.4 Arc thermal protection requirements
4.4.1 General
The protective clothing shall have protection properties against the thermal effects of an
electric arc.
Two test methods have been developed to provide information on the protection of clothing
from the thermal effects of electric arcs. Each method gives different information.
The test shall be performed on the material and the finished garment by using test methods
IEC 61482-1-1 or/and IEC 61482-1-2 and both the material and garment shall fulfil the
requirements. Depending on the needs, either or both standards can be specified.
NOTE Depending of the characteristics of the power system and equipment (e.g. medium voltage or low voltage,
available short-circuit current, protection characteristics) and the location in the system where the live working is
performed (e.g. close to the substation or not), the possible energy in the arc is different. These elements influence
the needs in terms of the required thermal resistance to electric arc.
If other material(s) are used for the back (rear or dorsum), they shall fulfil at least a minimum
arc rating according to IEC 61482-1-1 or the minimum requirements of Class 1 according to
IEC 61482-1-2. The label of the garment shall reflect the lowest of these ratings.
4.4.2 Arc rating
When tested according to IEC 61482-1-1, the protective clothing made of the tested material
shall have an arc rating. A manufacturer may assign a lower arc rating value to a material or
protective clothing than the value resulting from testing.
Protective clothing shall have a minimum arc thermal protection, where the ELIM is at least
2 2 2
130 kJ/m (3,2 cal/cm ) and where the lower value of ATPV and EBT is at least 167 kJ/m
(4 cal/cm ). In case only either ATPV or EBT can be determined, this value shall be at least
2 2
167 kJ/m (4 cal/cm ).
Due to the limitations of test apparatus at very high energy arcs, no arc rating above
2 2
(100 cal/cm ) shall be assigned to garments.
4 186 kJ/m
NOTE 1 The higher the arc rating, the better the arc thermal protection under higher incident arc energy (higher
current value, longer exposure time).
NOTE 2 According to safety regulations, the necessary arc rating is determined by risk analysis. Guidance for the
appropriate selection of an arc rating is provided in other separate standards, e.g. in IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E.
4.4.3 Arc protection classes
When tested according to IEC 61482-1-2, the protective clothing made of the tested material
shall be assigned an APC 1 or an APC 2 depending on the test conditions and the resulting
arc thermal protection. Protective clothing shall demonstrate a minimum arc thermal
protection of APC 1. An APC 2 indicates a higher arc thermal protection.
NOTE The necessary arc protection class is determined by risk analysis. Guidance for the appropriate selection
of the arc protection class is provided in other separate guidelines, e.g. in ISSA Guide and DGUV-I 203-077.
4.5 Marking
Protective clothing shall at least be marked with information as outlined in Clause A.1. The
marking shall meet the general requirements of marking in ISO 13688.
If a garment is made of different materials or different numbers of layers (e.g. only the front
part of the garment consists of multiple layers), the label of the garment shall indicate the
lowest of the arc ratings and/or arc protection class.
If a garment manufacturer claims protection by a garment system (e.g. jacket with a shirt,
removable lining of a jacket), the marking shall make the correct use
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