IEC 60669-2-3:2024

IEC 60669-2-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-03
EXTENDED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
This extended version of IEC 60669-2-3:2024 includes the content of the references made to
IEC 60669-1:2017
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations –
Part 2-3: Particular requirements – Time-delay switches (TDS)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews, graphical symbols and the glossary.
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced With a subscription you will always have access to up to date
and withdrawn publications. content tailored to your needs.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
details all new publications released. Available online and once
containing more than 22 500 terminological entries in English
a month by email.
and French, with equivalent terms in 25 additional languages.

Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
(IEV) online.
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need

further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
IEC 60669-2-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-03
EXTENDED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
This extended version of IEC 60669-2-3:2024 includes the content of the references made to
IEC 60669-1:2017
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations –
Part 2-3: Particular requirements – Time-delay switches (TDS)
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.120.40 ISBN 978-2-8322-8541-1

– 2 – IEC 60669-2-3:2024 EXV © IEC 2024

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 11
3 Terms and definitions . 13
4 General requirements . 18
5 General remarks on tests . 18
5.101 Incorporated hand-operated device . 21
5.102 Operated by hand . 21
5.103 Control and switching circuits without common point . 21
6 Ratings . 21
6.1 Rated voltage . 21
6.2 Rated current . 21
6.3 Preferred combinations of number of poles and ratings . 22
6.101 Rated control voltage . 22
7 Classification . 23
8 Marking . 24
8.1 General . 24
8.2 Symbols . 25
8.3 Visibility of markings . 27
8.4 Marking on terminals for phase conductors . 27
8.5 Marking on terminals for neutral and earth conductors . 28
8.6 Marking of the switch position . 28
8.7 Additional requirements for marking . 29
8.8 Durability . 29
9 Checking of dimensions . 29
10 Protection against electric shock . 29
10.1 Prevention of access to live parts. 29
10.2 Requirements for operating parts . 30
10.3 Requirements for accessible metal parts . 30
10.4 Requirements for insulation of the mechanism . 31
10.5 Requirements for insulation of the mechanism with respect to the
surrounding environment . 31
10.6 Requirements for switches operated indirectly . 31
10.7 Requirements for switches with replaceable pull cord . 32
11 Provision for earthing . 32
11.1 General . 32
11.2 Earthing terminals . 32
11.3 Requirements for surface-type switches . 32
11.4 Test for earthing connection . 32
12 Terminals . 33
12.1 General . 33
12.2 Terminals with screw clamping for external copper conductors . 33
12.3 Screwless terminals for external copper conductors . 39
13 Constructional requirements . 44
13.1 Mechanical requirements for insulating means . 44
13.2 Installation requirements . 45

13.3 Fixing of covers, cover plates and actuating members . 46
13.4 Openings in normal use . 47
13.5 Attachment of knobs . 47
13.6 Mounting means . 48
13.7 Combination of switches . 48
13.8 Accessories combined with switches . 48
13.9 Surface-type switches having an IP code higher than IP20 . 48
13.10 Installation in a box . 49
13.11 Connection of a second current-carrying conductor . 49
13.12 Inlet openings . 49
13.13 Provision for back entry from a conduit . 50
13.14 Switch provided with membranes or the like for inlet openings . 51
13.15 Requirements for membranes in inlet openings . 51
13.16 Pilot light units . 52
13.101 Reset function . 52
13.102 Transformers intended for SELV circuits . 52
14 Mechanism . 52
14.1 Indication of the position . 52
14.2 Rest and intermediate position . 52
14.3 Undue arcing . 52
14.4 Making and breaking . 52
14.5 Action of the mechanism without cover or cover plate . 53
14.6 Pull force for cord-operated switches . 53
14.101 Hand-operated device with position indicator . 53
15 Resistance to ageing, protection provided by enclosures of switches and
resistance to humidity . 53
15.1 Resistance to ageing . 53
15.2 Protection provided by enclosures of switches . 54
15.2.1 General . 54
15.2.2 Protection against access to hazardous parts and against harmful
effects due to ingress of solid foreign objects . 54
15.2.3 Protection against harmful effects due to ingress of water . 55
15.3 Resistance to humidity . 56
16 Insulation resistance and electric strength . 57
16.1 General . 57
16.2 Test for measuring the insulation resistance . 57
16.3 Electric strength test . 59
17 Temperature rise . 61
17.1 General . 61
17.2 Switches incorporating pilot lights . 62
18 Making and breaking capacity . 63
18.1 General . 63
18.2 Overload . 63
18.3 Overload test with filament lamps . 64
19 Normal operation . 65
19.1 Test for switches intended for inductive loads . 65
19.2 Test for switches intended for externally ballasted lamp loads . 68
19.3 Test for switches intended for self ballasted lamp loads . 70
19.101 TDS control voltage test .
...

IEC 60669-2-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations –
Part 2-3: Particular requirements – Time-delay switches (TDS)

Interrupteurs pour installations électriques fixes domestiques et analogues –
Partie 2-3 : Exigences particulières – Interrupteurs temporisés (minuteries)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et
les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews, graphical symbols and the glossary.
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced With a subscription you will always have access to up to date
and withdrawn publications. content tailored to your needs.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
details all new publications released. Available online and once
containing more than 22 500 terminological entries in English
a month by email.
and French, with equivalent terms in 25 additional languages.

Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
(IEV) online.
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need

further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC -  IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications, symboles
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, graphiques et le glossaire. Avec un abonnement, vous aurez
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les toujours accès à un contenu à jour adapté à vos besoins.
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au monde,
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
avec plus de 22 500 articles terminologiques en anglais et en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans 25 langues
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
sales@iec.ch.
IEC 60669-2-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2024-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations –

Part 2-3: Particular requirements – Time-delay switches (TDS)

Interrupteurs pour installations électriques fixes domestiques et analogues –

Partie 2-3 : Exigences particulières – Interrupteurs temporisés (minuteries)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.120.40  ISBN 978-2-8322-8322-6

– 2 – IEC 60669-2-3:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General requirements . 7
5 General remarks on tests . 7
6 Ratings . 8
7 Classification . 8
8 Marking . 9
9 Checking of dimensions . 10
10 Protection against electric shock . 10
11 Provision for earthing . 10
12 Terminals . 10
13 Constructional requirements . 11
14 Mechanism . 11
15 Resistance to ageing, protection provided by enclosures of switches and
resistance to humidity . 11
16 Insulation resistance and electric strength . 11
17 Temperature rise . 12
18 Making and breaking capacity . 12
19 Normal operation . 13
20 Mechanical strength . 14
21 Resistance to heat . 14
22 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 14
23 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound . 15
24 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat, to fire and to tracking . 16
25 Resistance to rusting . 16
26 EMC requirements . 17
Annexes . 18
Annex B (informative) Changes planned for the future in order to align IEC 60669-1
with the requirements of IEC 60998 (all parts), IEC 60999 (all parts) and IEC 60228 . 19
Annex E (informative) Additional requirements and tests for switches intended to be
used at a temperature lower than −5 °C . 20
Bibliography . 21

Table 1 – Number of specimens needed for the tests . 7
Table 15 – Test voltage, points of application and minimum values of insulating
resistance for the verification of electric strength . 12
Table 23 – Creepage distances, clearances and distances through insulating sealing
compound . 15

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SWITCHES FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR FIXED
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS –
Part 2-3: Particular requirements –
Time-delay switches (TDS)
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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall no
...