Amendment 1 - Arc welding equipment - Part 1: Welding power sources

Amendement 1 - Matériel de soudage électrique - Partie 1: Sources de courant pour soudage

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
20-Mar-2000
Technical Committee
TC 26 - Electric welding
Current Stage
DELPUB - Deleted Publication
Start Date
25-Jul-2005
Completion Date
26-Oct-2025

Relations

Effective Date
05-Sep-2023
Effective Date
05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 Amendment 1 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) updates the foundational standard for arc welding equipment, focusing on welding power sources. This amendment incorporates critical specifications for plasma cutting systems within the scope of welding power sources, enhancing safety, performance, and interoperability guidelines.

The amendment was prepared by IEC Technical Committee 26: Electric Welding, reflecting advances in plasma cutting technology and the integration of plasma cutting with arc welding equipment. The update aligns standards with evolving industrial needs, including definitions, safety requirements, test values, and connection protocols for plasma cutting power sources and torches.

Key Topics

1. Extension to Plasma Cutting Systems

The amendment explicitly adds plasma cutting systems to the scope, defining them as a combination of a power source, torch, and safety devices tailored for plasma cutting and gouging applications.

2. New Definitions

  • Plasma Cutting System: Integrated equipment for plasma arc cutting and gouging.
  • Plasma Cutting Power Source: Equipment supplying current, voltage, and necessary auxiliary services like gas and cooling liquids for plasma cutting.
  • SELV (Safety Extra-Low Voltage): Voltage limits ensuring electrical safety to prevent hazardous contact, capped at 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC.

3. Safety Requirements and Protection

  • Plasma tips (nozzle components) that cannot be fully insulated are safeguarded under a single-fault condition by limiting voltages both with and without arc current-ensuring operational safety under abnormal conditions.
  • Voltage limits during disconnected torch states and fault simulations are strictly defined to prevent electrical hazards.

4. Electrical Characteristics

  • Prescribed no-load voltages for plasma cutting and gouging processes prevent voltage presence when torches are disconnected.
  • Defined drooping load voltage characteristics regulate output voltage relative to current for plasma cutting (up to 200 V max) and plasma gouging (up to 220 V max), ensuring consistent arc performance.

5. Connection Protocols

  • Plasma cutting torches must be connected/disconnected via tools or locking mechanisms designed to prevent incompatible torch connections and minimize accidental disconnection.
  • Disconnection protocols mandate absence of voltage exceeding SELV limits on exposed contacts, reinforcing user safety.

6. Markings and Instructions

  • Plasma cutting power sources require clear, indelible warnings such as “Danger! Read operator's manual” on or near the front panel. Equivalent warnings emphasize consultation of instructions before torch servicing or replacement.
  • Detailed instructions must specify torch types, plasma and cooling gases' pressure and flow, and output current ranges tied to plasma gas types.

Applications

The amendment provides practical standards to manufacturers, safety engineers, and welding professionals involved in:

  • Designing and manufacturing plasma cutting and gouging equipment integrated with welding power sources
  • Implementing safety features for direct contact voltage limits on plasma cutting components
  • Developing control systems ensuring no hazardous voltages during disconnected torch states or faults
  • Ensuring connector compatibility and prevention of accidental torch disconnection
  • Producing clear user instructions and hazard markings for plasma cutting power sources and torches
  • Testing and certifying plasma cutting power sources against durability and safety tests outlined in the IEC 60974 series

These standards apply broadly in heavy industry sectors such as shipbuilding, automotive, aerospace, metal fabrication, and construction, where plasma cutting plays a role alongside traditional arc welding processes.

Related Standards

  • IEC 60974-7:1999 - Arc welding equipment – Part 7: Torches
    Provides detailed torch specifications referenced in this amendment for plasma cutting torch definitions and safety.
  • IEC 61558-1 - Safety of power transformers and power supplies, relevant for concepts like SELV voltage limits.
  • Future revisions and related parts of IEC 60974 series will continue to build on power source and equipment requirements for welding and cutting technologies.

By incorporating plasma cutting systems into the IEC 60974-1 framework, Amendment 1 (2000) ensures a harmonized international approach to arc welding power source safety, efficiency, and interoperability, fostering safer and more reliable plasma cutting applications within industrial environments.

Standard

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 - Amendment 1 - Arc welding equipment - Part 1: Welding power sources Released:3/21/2000 Isbn:2831851939

English and French language
11 pages
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Frequently Asked Questions

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 is a standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Amendment 1 - Arc welding equipment - Part 1: Welding power sources". This standard covers: Amendment 1 - Arc welding equipment - Part 1: Welding power sources

Amendment 1 - Arc welding equipment - Part 1: Welding power sources

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.160.30 - Welding equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to IEC 60974-1:1998, IEC 60974-1:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

IEC 60974-1:1998/AMD1:2000 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
60974-1
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
AMENDEMENT 1
AMENDMENT 1
2000-03
Amendement 1
Matériel de soudage électrique –
Partie 1:
Sources de courant pour soudage
Amendment 1
Arc welding equipment –
Part 1:
Welding power sources
 IEC 2000 Droits de reproduction réservés  Copyright - all rights reserved
International Electrotechnical Commission 3, rue de Varembé Geneva, Switzerland
Telefax: +41 22 919 0300 e-mail: inmail@iec.ch IEC web site http://www.iec.ch
CODE PRIX
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
F
PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 60974-1 amend. 1 © CEI:2000

AVANT-PROPOS
Le présent amendement a été établi par le comité d'études 26 de la CEI: Soudage électrique.

Le texte de cet amendement est issu des documents suivants:

FDIS Rapport de vote
26/181/FDIS 26/197/RVD
Le rapport de vote indiqué dans le tableau ci-dessus donne toute information sur le vote ayant

abouti à l'approbation de cet amendement.
Le comité a décidé que le contenu de la publication de base et de ses amendements ne sera
pas modifié avant 2004. A cette date, la publication sera
reconduite;
supprimée;
remplacée par une édition révisée, ou
amendée.
___________
Page 12
1 Domaine d'application
Ajouter le texte suivant à la fin du troisième alinéa:
et des systèmes de coupage plasma.
2 Références normatives
Ajouter le titre suivant:
CEI 60974-7:1999, Matériel de soudage à l'arc – Partie 7: Torches

Page 14
3 Définitions
Ajouter les définitions suivantes:
3.56
système de coupage plasma
combinaison de source de courant, torche et dispositifs de sécurité associés pour le
coupage/gougeage plasma
[CEI 60974-7, 3.21]
60974-1 Amend. 1 © IEC:2000 – 3 –

FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by IEC technical committee 26: Electric welding.

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

FDIS Report on voting
26/181/FDIS 26/197/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the report

on voting indicated in the above table.
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendments will
remain unchanged until 2004. At this date, the publication will be:
reconfirmed;
withdrawn;
replaced by a revised edition, or
amended.
___________
Page 13
1 Scope
Add the following text to the end of the third paragraph:
and plasma cutting systems.
2 Normative references
Add the following title:
IEC 60974-7:1999, Arc welding equipment – Part 7: Torches

Page 15
3 Définitions
Add the following definitions:
3.56
plasma cutting system
combination of power source, torch, and associated safety devices for plasma cutting/gouging
[IEC 60974-7, 3.21]
– 4 – 60974-1 amend. 1 © CEI:2000

3.57
source de courant de coupage plasma

équipement destiné à fournir un courant et une tension, ayant des caractéristiques

appropriées pour le coupage/gougeage plasma et pouvant fournir du gaz et du liquide de

refroidissement
NOTE 1 Une source de courant de coupage plasma peut également fournir des services à d’autres équipements
et accessoires, par exemple tensions auxiliaires, liquide de refroidissement et gaz.

NOTE 2 Dans la suite du texte, le terme «source de courant de coupage» est utilisé.

[CEI 60974-1, 3.22]
3.58
très basse tension de sécurité (TBTS)
tension n’excédant pas 50 V en courant alternatif ou 120 V en courant continu lissé entre
conducteurs ou entre un conducteur quelconque et la terre dans un circuit dont la séparation
du réseau d’alimentation est assurée par des moyens tels qu’un transformateur de sécurité
NOTE 1 Une tension maximale inférieure à 50 V en courant alternatif ou 120 V en courant continu lissé peut être
spécifiée dans des règles particulières, plus spécialement lorsque le contact direct avec des parties actives est
possible.
NOTE 2 Lorsque la source est un transformateur de sécurité, il convient que la limite de tension ne soit pas
dépassée à toute charge comprise entre la pleine charge et à vide.
NOTE 3 «Lissé» est conventionnellement la valeur efficace d’une tension ayant un taux d’ondulation ne
dépassant pas 10 % de la composante continue; la valeur crête maximale ne dépasse pas 140 V pour un système
en courant continu lissé avec une tension nominale de 120 V, et 70 V pour un système en courant continu lissé
avec une tension nominale de 60 V.
[CEI 61558-1, 3.7.16]
3.59
tuyère
composant qui contient l’orifice de constriction à travers lequel passe l’arc plasma
[CEI 60974-7, 3.19]
Page 50
Ajouter le paragraphe 6.3.5 suivant:
6.3.5 Exigences supplémentaires pour les systèmes de coupage plasma
Les tuyères, qui pour des raisons techniques ne peuvent pas être protégées contre les
contacts directs, doivent être considérées comme étant suffisamment protégées en cas de
défaut unique, lorsqu’elles répondent aux exigences suivantes:

a) en l’absence du courant d'alimentation de l'arc:
la tension entre la tuyère et la pièce mise en œuvre et/ou la terre ne dépasse pas, en
toute circonstance, les valeurs limites de la TBTS
et
b) en présence du courant d'alimentation de l'arc:
la tension continue entre la tuyère et la pièce mise en œuvre et/ou la terre ne dépasse
pas, en toute circonstance, 113 V crête
ou
c) si les tensions de a) ou b) ci-dessus sont dépassées:
les tensions sont réduites comme spécifié à l'article 13.
NOTE Un exemple de défaut est une condition anormale résultant d’une électrode en contact avec la tuyère due
à l’absence de canons isolants, au collage de la tuyère avec l’électrode, à un élément conducteur entre la tuyère et
l’électrode, à des pièces inadaptées, à des pièces desserrées, à l’abrasion de l’électrode, à des pièces mal
positionnées, à une charge excessive ou à un débit de gaz incorrect.

60974-1 Amend. 1 © IEC:2000 – 5 –

3.57
plasma cutting power source
equipment for supplying current and voltage and having the required characteristics suitable

for plasma cutting/gouging and which may supply gas and cooling liquid

NOTE 1 A plasma cutting power source may also supply services to other equipment and auxiliaries, for example
auxiliary power, cooling liquid and gas.

NOTE 2 In the following text, the term "cutting power source" is used.

[IEC 60974-7, 3.22]
3.58
SELV
voltage which does not exceed 50 V a.c. or 120 V ripple free d.c. between conductors, or
between any conductor and earth, in a circuit which is isolated from the supply mains by such
means as a safety isolating transformer
NOTE 1 Maximum voltage lower than 50 V a.c. or 120 V ripple free d.c. may be specified in particular require-
ments, especially when direct contact with live parts is allowed.
NOTE 2 The voltage limit should not be exceeded at any load between full load and no-load when the source is a
safety isolating transformer.
NOTE 3 "Ripple-free" is conventionally an r.m.s. ripple voltage not more than 10 % of the d.c. component; the
maximum peak value does not exceed 140 V for a nominal 120 V ripple-free d.c. system and 70 V for a nominal
60 V ripple-free d.c. system.
[IEC 61558-1, 3.7.16]
3.59
plasma tip
component that provides the constricting orifice through which the plasma arc passes
[IEC 60974-7, 3.19]
Page 51
Add the following subclause 6.3.5:
6.3.5 Additional requirements for plasma cutting system
...

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