From the past to the present, the regulation have changed from the 1st edition (2010) to the 2nd edition (2014), and finally IEC 62368-1:18 (3rd Edition) was released on October 04, 2018 after a long-period improvement; and the 3rd edition will replace the previous editions- IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1 from December 20, 2020, so will the EU do. Compared with the 2nd edition, IEC 62368-1:18 (3rd Edition) has the following major changes:

Outdoor product requirements are added

In the 2nd edition, outdoor product requirements in IEC 60950-22 were referred to, while the requirements now were summarized in Annex Y - Construction requirements of the 3rd edition.

Requirements of optical radiation hazards are updated

The hazard level and protection instructions of laser projector in IEC 60825-1/-5 shall be referred to, and the hazard level and protection instructions of LED projector IEC 62471-5 shall be referred to (Table 39).

Requirements of insulating liquid are added

The temperature of the part in contact with the insulating liquid shall not exceed the flashpoint of the insulating liquid (the flashpoint is the minimum temperature at which the liquid vaporizes and catches fire under specified test conditions by using ignition source)

Requirements of the work unit are added

Whether the space provided for personnel to fully or partially enter the equipment during maintenance or operation will cause mechanical damage or not shall be considered. It mainly aims to secure the safety of personnel. Requirements of relevant safety interlocks and keys or other tools are added.

Requirements of wireless energy transmission devices are added

Chapter 9.6 was added for electromagnetic fields to transfer electrical power and for battery wireless chargers of handheld devices. For the risk of high temperature of external metallic objects close to or on the transmitters caused by radiation, 9.6.3 test evaluation is added.

Requirements of fully insulated wire are added

Fully insulated wire shall compliance with standard IEC 60851-5:2008, IEC 60317-0-7 and IEC 60317-56, and the maximum insulation Class thereof is Class 155(F). Besides, the finished components shall have electric strength test on the production line with G.5.3.4.7

Requirements of equipment opening are updated

Requirements of glass fixed test in item 4.4.3.7 are updated

Laminated glass used as a safeguard that prevents objects from Class 3 energy sources other than PS3 shall do the test.

Requirements of sound pressure in EN 50332-3 are updated

Chapter 10.6 of the standard is updated that EN50332-3 shall be applied when EN50332-1 and EN50332-2 are not practicable.

Requirements of the internal and external wire in the PS2 and PS3 are updated

The UL-certified wire with mark VW-1 is acceptable.

Updating the requirements of 5.5.6 overload resistance test and specifying in 5.5.7 that varistors between line and neutral or between lines shall comply with G.8 (SPDs)

Testing requirements 8.11 of guide rail fixation equipment are updated

※ Single extension position shall meet the requirements of downward force test at the extension position

※ Service and installation position shall conform to the requirements of downward force test at the maintenance position

※ All the maintenance and installation positions of the track shall meet the test requirements 81.3.2 and 81.3.3

Test requirements 8.6.5 of level force are updated

The horizontal external force shall be 20% of the equipment’s weight or 250N. The lower one shall be the final choice.

Item 6.4.5.2 proposed for controlling the spread of flame in the PS2 circuit is updated

Where a fireproof enclosure was originally required in version 2 now was unnecessary in version 3 once the sample meets any of the conditions listed in 6.4.5.2.

Item 5.7.4 which specifies the requirements of unearthed devices’ and parts’ touch current was clarified.

Requirements 5.5.2.2 of capacitance discharge test after disconnection of a connector is updated.

The capacitance tolerance of 20% of the X-cap thereafter is of no concern.

Requirements 5.4.4.9 for solid insulation that the frequency is higher than 30 kHZ are updated.

The electric strength  test can be carried out based on the attenuation coefficient of high frequency electric field.

Requirements of ES3 mains/ES3 isolated (5.3.1) are updated.

5.3.1: A touchable ES1 or ES2 circuit shall be drawn from ES2 or ES3 circuit through being separated from power source of ES3 with double protection or enhanced protection. In addition, there are the following situations:

※ Under single fault conditions of the circuit between ES2/ES3 and the touchable ES1, the current or voltage level shall not exceed the limit of ES1; 

※ Under single fault conditions of the circuit between ES2/ES3 and the touchable ES2, the current or voltage level shall not exceed the limit of ES2.

Requirements of G. 15.2 are updated

※ The maximum working pressure of the hydrostatic pressure under normal working conditions is changed from 5 times to 3 times

※ The maximum working pressure of the hydrostatic pressure under the abnormal and single fault condition is changed from 3 times to 2 times

The battery requirement Annex M is updated

※ Battery standard IEC62133 is revised to IEC 62133-1, IEC 62133-2 and M. 2.1 for button battery.

※ Even if the rechargeable lithium battery passed single fault test, the fire enclosure still be a must , except that the battery passed PS1 evaluation.

Official link:

https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/63964

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