What’s new in edition 3 of IEC 62368 -1 — an overview
As you will probably know, the third edition of IEC 62368–1 was recently published (on October 4). The IEC 62368 safety standard makes your product future proof by ensuring that all possible hazards coming from the product have been taken into account.
Edition 3 will bring various technical changes. Read on to find a short overview of the largest adjustments.
Adjustments
Edition 3 of IEC 62368–1 contains adjustments in the details and wording that set it apart from the second edition as well as some large technical changes. Among others, there will be new sections for:
- Outdoor equipment
- Fully insulated winding wires
- Insulating liquids
- Wireless power transmitters
- Work cells
Insulating liquids
Insulating liquids are increasingly used in various applications for cooling, such as cloud servers, in which power parts are immersed in the liquid.
Electronics that are immersed in insulating liquids need to be tested to ensure that they continue to work safely without deterioration of the insulation characteristics. The standard now provides an answer to more innovative cooling solutions.
Work cells
Safety requirements for work cells have also been added. Think of larger IT installations (robotics) with work cells in which persons can access the work cell. For example, interlocking and requirements for emergency stop systems have become part of the standard.
Transformers
Transformers using fully insulated winding wires (FIW) have found their way in applications with switch mode power supplies. Such requirements can also be found in the standard for transformers (IEC 61558–1).
Next to the strict requirements for fully insulated winding wires, IEC 62368–1 puts clear restrictions on the application of FIW. Finally, wireless power transmitters will also see a completely new clause that e.g. safeguards users of smartphones who want to charge their phone wirelessly.
Continuous work
All in all, IEC 62368 as a standard continues to evolve. And it should do so, since it is meant to be future-proof and it is based on the principles of hazard-based safety engineering. It supports the convergence of technologies and new state-of-the-art technologies.
Rest assured, DEKRA’s experts will keep you updated on the changes to come in this standard and many others. For more information, please reach out to one of our experts.
For more information or to get in touch, go to https://www.dekra-product-safety.com/en/whats-new-edition-3-iec-62368-1-overview
