IEC 62368 Mechanically-Caused Injury
The IEC 62368 standard test method evaluates audio, video, information, and communication technology about IEC mechanical safety requirements. As a certified product safety testing lab, we realize the importance of IEC standards and regulatory compliance testing. Meeting the product safety IEC 62368 lab testing requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.
Keystone Compliance takes a consultative approach throughout the entire test program. When products do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions. Our pricing is competitive and we offer volume discounts. Lastly, Keystone’s engineers take pride in knowing that our proven process helps avoid product launch delays.
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Summary of IEC 62368 Product Safety Regulatory Compliance Testing
Mechanically caused injuries are not uncommon. To reduce the likelihood of exposure to mechanical hazards, safeguards are applied.
A mechanically-caused injury is due to kinetic energy transfer to a body part when a collision occurs between a body part and an equipment part. The kinetic energy is a function of the relative motion between a body part and accessible parts of the equipment. This applies to parts ejected from the equipment that collides with a body part.
Safeguards can be applied to the equipment, installation, or person. Safeguards can also be a learned or directed behavior intended to reduce the likelihood of the transfer of energy. For this IEC product safety standard, compliance is usually checked by test, inspection, and the review of requirements.
MS1: A class 1 mechanical energy source. Levels do not exceed MS1 limits under normal operating conditions or abnormal operating conditions. Additionally, the class cannot exceed MS2 under single-fault conditions.
MS2: A class 2 mechanical energy source. The class has levels not exceeding MS2 limits. This is true under normal operating, abnormal operating, and single-fault conditions.
MS3: A class 3 mechanical energy source with levels exceeding MS2 limits under all three conditions mentioned above. MS3 also exceeds any mechanical energy source declared to be an MS3 by the manufacturer.
Scope of IEC Mechanically-Caused Product Safety Compliance
Examples of mechanical energy sources include:
- Sharp edges and corners
- Moving parts
- Plastic/miscellaneous fan blades
- Loosening, exploding, or imploding parts
- Equipment mass
- Wall or ceiling mounts
Basic safeguards against the mechanically-caused injury cover:
Sharp Edges and Corners: Safeguards reduce the likelihood of injury by parts with sharp edges in accessible areas. Where sharp edges and corners are required to be accessible for the function equipment:
- Any potential exposure can not be life-threatening;
- The edge and corners must be obvious to personnel;
- The sharp edge must be guarded as much as practicable;
- An instructional safeguard is provided to reduce the risk of unintentional contact.
Moving Parts: Safeguards that reduce the likelihood of injury caused by moving parts are specified below. Examples of moving parts include pinch points, meshing gears, and parts that may start to move due to unexpected resetting of a control device.
- Any exposure can not be life-threatening;
- The moving part is obvious when exposed;
- The moving part is guarded as much as practicable;
- Specific moving parts are only accessible to skilled personnel;
- An instructional safeguard is used.
Stability of Equipment: In case units are fixed together, the class is determined by the total weight of units. If the units are intended to be separated, the class is determined by individual unit weights. Equipment must comply with specific requirements. These requirements are broken down into categories:
- Floor standing – Relocation tests may be required
- Non-floor standing – static stability tests may be required
- Controls or displays – glass slide and horizontal force tests may be required
- Fixed – no stability tests are requirements
Mounting of Equipment: The hardware used to fix the mounting means to the equipment is either provided by the equipment or described in detail in the user instructions. The user instructions must also advise on the safe use of parts. This includes screw size, thread size, length, and number of screws, etc. The IEC 62368 standard specifies three general product safety test methods for mechanical equipment.
Test 1 – The equipment is mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the mounting means positioned, when possible, to represent the most severe stress on the supports.
Test 2 – The test force shall be equivalent to the least of the following divided by the number of attachment points in the mounting system. This requires four times the weight of the equipment; or two times the weight of the equipment plus 880 N.
Test 3 – If the mounting system design relies upon threaded parts, a torque is applied to each threaded part, one at a time. If a corresponding screw fastener is supplied by the manufacturer, it shall be used for the test. If no corresponding screw fastener is supplied by the manufacturer, even though a screw-type may be recommended in the user instructions, and any screw with the same diameter shall be used for the test.
Expert IEC Regulatory Product Safety Compliance Testing
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