IEC 60068-2-1:2025

Overview

IEC 60068-2-1:2025 is the seventh edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard for environmental testing, focusing specifically on cold temperature testing, known as Test A: Cold. This standard provides procedures to determine the ability of non-heat-dissipating and heat-dissipating components, equipment, or other articles to withstand low temperatures during use, transportation, or storage. It offers guidance for both energized and non-energized specimens, in packed or unpacked conditions, supporting manufacturers and testing laboratories in ensuring the reliability and safety of products intended for low-temperature environments.

The 2025 revision introduces significant clarifications and updates over the previous edition, including refined test procedures, updated requirements for temperature measurement, revised temperature tolerances, and enhanced documentation recommendations.

Key Topics

• Test Scope: Defines how to conduct cold tests on a wide range of specimens, both heat-dissipating and non-heat-dissipating, in various operational and packaging statuses.
• Test Methods:
  • Test Ab: For non-heat-dissipating specimens, typically using high air velocity.
  • Test Ad: For heat-dissipating specimens energized after stabilization, with low air velocity.
  • Test Ae: For heat-dissipating specimens energized throughout the test, with low air velocity.
• Temperature Control: Specifies preferred conditioning temperatures (e.g., –65 °C, –55 °C, –40 °C) and test durations (e.g., 2 h, 16 h, 72 h), along with tolerances and procedures for achieving temperature stability.
• Air Velocity: Details methods for identifying high or low air velocity conditions in test chambers and their impact on specimen testing, especially for heat-dissipating items.
• Measurement & Monitoring: Clarifies procedures for selecting representative temperature measurement points and managing potential specimen damage during measurement.
• Documentation: Introduces standardized information requirements for relevant specifications and test reports, ensuring consistency and transparency.

Applications

IEC 60068-2-1:2025 is essential for industries and organizations requiring validation of equipment for cold climate performance, including:

• Electronics and Electrical Equipment: Ensures proper functioning of circuit boards, controls, sensors, and assemblies exposed to cold environments in fields such as automotive, aerospace, railway, and telecommunications.
• Transport and Storage: Validates that products can survive low temperatures during global logistics operations, when tested in both packaged and unpackaged formats.
• Reliability Testing: Supports assessment of product durability, informing design improvements and quality assurance processes.
• Standards Compliance: Enables manufacturers to meet international requirements for product qualification and market access.

Testing according to IEC 60068-2-1 helps reduce warranty claims, ensures operational safety, and demonstrates due diligence in product development for cold environments.

Related Standards

IEC 60068-2-1:2025 is part of the comprehensive IEC 60068 series on environmental testing. Important related standards include:

• IEC 60068-1: General guidance for environmental testing procedures.
• IEC 60068-2-2: Dry heat testing (complementary to Test A: Cold).
• IEC 60068-5-2: Guide to drafting of test methods - terms and definitions.
• IEC 60721 series: Classification of environmental conditions.
• IEC 60068-3 series: Provides additional guidance on performing, confirming, and evaluating environmental tests and test chambers.

By following IEC 60068-2-1 and its related standards, organizations can ensure consistent, reliable, and internationally recognized approaches to environmental testing of products for low temperature conditions.

Keywords: IEC 60068-2-1:2025, environmental testing, cold test, low temperature test, heat-dissipating specimens, non-heat-dissipating specimens, air velocity, temperature stability, equipment reliability, international standards, product qualification.