IEC 60255-27 EMC Testing of Relays and Protection Equipment

IEC 60255-27 evaluates product safety requirements for relays and protection equipment. As a leader in electromagnetic compatibility, EMC, regulatory compliance testing, Keystone Compliance assists electronic equipment manufacturers with EMC testing. Meeting the IEC, EN, and other EMC testing requirements can be challenging. Not only do we understand the challenges, but we help guide companies through the process.

Keystone takes pride in providing the peace of mind that all of your unintentional radiator testing needs will be met. We tailor each test plan to individual customer needs minimizing unnecessary costs and over-testing. Additionally, we are in constant communication throughout the entire test process. We have a reputation for helping customers achieve their EMC product certifications.

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Summary of EMC 60255-27 Relay and Protection Equipment Testing

IEC 60255-27 describes product safety requirements for measuring relays and protection equipment. Furthermore, the equipment must have a rated a.c. voltage up to 1 000 V with a rated frequency up to 65 Hz, or a rated d.c. voltage up to 1 500 V.

The IEC 60255 test method is used to minimize the risk of fire hazards caused by electric shock or injury to the user.

The product safety standard does not cover the safety requirements of installations. However, it does cover different ways of mounting equipment used in cubicles, racks, panels, and retesting. Functional safety requirements are not covered by this standard. Lastly, this IEC 60255-27 standard does not specify the implementation of individual equipment, circuits, and components.

The use of IEC 60255-27 will offer numerous advantages when EMC testing. This includes compliance with fire protection requirements and the reduction of single-fault condition testing. 

Scope of Relay and Protection Safety EMC Testing

The IEC standard lab method applies to auxiliary devices such as shunts, series resistors, transformers, etc. These devices are used in conjunction with measuring relays and protection equipment and are tested together.

Equipment designed to be safe under environmental conditions is applied to this standard. These environmental conditions include:

• Indoor use;
• Altitude up to 2 000 m;
• External operating temperature ranges;
• Maximum external relative humidity of 95%;
• Supply fluctuations;
• Applicable supply overvoltage category;
• External pollution degrees 1 and 2

Protection against electric shock hazards must be of good constructional and engineering practice. IEC 60255-25 mentions testing of components and equipment concerning protection against electric shock. This testing must be conducted as type tests and routine tests. Protection against contact with accessible hazardous live parts is also provided in this IEC 60255 standard

Protection against direct contact with accessible hazardous live parts is provided by adequate insulation, the equipment case, or a barrier.

IEC 60255-27 Mechanical and Flammability Conditions

Under no circumstances should equipment become physically unstable to the degree that it could become a hazard to a user. Moving parts must not be able to crush, cut or pierce the user when coming into contact. Additionally, edges, projections, corners, etc. must be smooth and rounded. This is to not cause injury to the user during normal conditions.

Excessive temperatures may be caused by equipment or parts of equipment. This could lead to a risk of fire within the equipment or its surroundings. Risks of fire may exist when all three of the following basic elements are present.

• The equipment circuits have sufficient power or energy to be an 

Methods are used to reduce the risk of fire associated with the equipment to a safe level. The methods are carried out by one of the following means:

• Eliminating or reducing the sources of ignition within the equipment.
• Containment of a fire within the equipment, should it occur.
• Combustible materials present to support the combustion process

Expert Electromagnetic Compatibility IEC 60255-27 Compliance Testing

In addition to IEC compliance testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including environmental and package testing such as accelerated aging, vibration, and ingress protection. Keystone Compliance has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. 

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