The IEC 60950 standard outlines the safety requirements for various information technology equipment such as modems, routers, network switches, printers, scanners, media converters, and others. These devices are powered by electricity or batteries and include electrical office equipment or related devices that operate at nominal voltages of 600V or less.
It is essential to provide users with adequate information to ensure the safe use of equipment under any condition as per manufacturer instructions. Special precautions must be in place to avoid hazards during operation, installation, repair, transportation, or storage. Energy and Power Industries Laboratories (Epil), a knowledge-based company, performs these tests and develops related markings and safety instructions.
Any required labeling must be durable and legible. Compliance is verified by rubbing the label for 15 seconds with a cloth soaked in water and then for another 15 seconds with a cloth soaked in petroleum solvent. After testing, the marking must remain readable.
The steady-state input current of the equipment should not exceed 10% of its nominal current under normal load. Using an autotransformer, the voltage is adjusted to the minimum and maximum operating voltage of the device, and the input current is measured and recorded.
Under normal use, equipment and units must not become physically unstable to the extent that they pose a risk to users or service personnel.
This test assesses the temperature increase in touchable parts. High temperatures in components, insulated areas, or plastic materials can affect the mechanical, electrical, or other properties of the equipment over time, potentially shortening its expected lifespan. Therefore, the temperature of parts must remain within the defined limits of the equipment standard.
The cross-sectional area of internal wires and interconnecting cables must be sufficient to carry the current during normal operation. Furthermore, wire routing should be smooth and free of sharp edges, and wires must be protected from fan blades, moving parts, or other elements that could damage insulation. Holes in metal parts through which insulated wires pass must be rounded or designed with bushings. Internal wiring should be routed, supported, secured, and protected to reduce risks such as excessive stress on wires, terminal connections, and weakened terminal contacts.
Measuring the current flowing through accessible parts under normal operating conditions is known as touch current testing. Equipment must be designed and built so that the touch current does not pose an electric shock risk.
Depending on the classification of the equipment's insulation and its voltage range, a specific current is applied to the insulation for 60 seconds. During this standard test, no insulation failure should occur. Insulation failure is defined as a situation where the current passing through the insulation rises uncontrollably and rapidly, preventing the insulation from limiting current flow.
Equipment must be designed to minimize the risk of fire or electric shock during overload, mechanical or electrical failure, or operator error. The equipment should remain safe for the user even if it is not operating under optimal conditions. Therefore, it must be tested for any foreseeable normal or improper use. This includes scenarios such as short circuits, open circuits, or component overload.
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