IEC 60068-2-31:2008

Overview

IEC 60068-2-31:2008 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that outlines environmental testing procedures specifically designed for simulating rough handling shocks. This standard is primarily intended for equipment-type specimens such as small to medium-sized field equipment and unit spares which may be subjected to knocks, jolts, or falls during operational use or repair work.

The key aim of IEC 60068-2-31 is to evaluate the mechanical robustness of equipment under conditions of rough handling-not transportation shocks as loose cargo, nor shocks applied to installed equipment. For transportation-related shock testing, IEC recommends using IEC 60068-2-55 (Bounce test), and for installed equipment shock, IEC 60068-2-27 (Shock test).

Key Topics

Scope and Applicability

• Applicable to equipment likely to receive rough handling shocks in service.
• Focus on small to medium size and mass specimens.
• Testing is restricted to faces and corners likely to be impacted during handling.
• Not suitable for fragile or irregularly shaped equipment unless tested in their transit cases or handling frames.

Test Procedures

The standard defines multiple test methods to simulate rough handling shocks:

• Drop and Topple Test
  Designed to simulate knocks or jolts during handling or repair work. It covers three types of impacts:

  • Dropping onto a face
  • Dropping onto an edge or corner
  • Toppling or push-over action

• Free Fall – Procedure 1
  A simple free-fall drop test assessing the potential damage caused by falls experienced during rough handling. The specimen is free during the fall.

• Free Fall – Procedure 2
  This test simulates repeated free-fall shocks, suitable for components exposed to multiple impacts, such as connectors in service.

• Test Parameters
  Tests allow for ±10% tolerance on height and angle measurements. Test severity correlates with specimen mass and geometry, focusing on realistic handling scenarios.

Test Equipment and Setup

• Shock tests are executed with specimens fixed to the test machine.
• Drop, topple, free-fall, and bounce tests involve specimens released freely.
• Tests consider mass, center of gravity, and dimensions to determine applicability and test parameters.

Applications

IEC 60068-2-31 is valuable for industries requiring assurance of equipment mechanical durability under rough handling conditions. Typical application areas include:

• Field Equipment: Portable instruments and devices frequently handled and serviced in operational environments.
• Unit Spares: Equipment parts and spares removed and replaced during maintenance.
• Transit Cases and Handling Frames: Testing items in protective containers or jigs to simulate handling during transportation within operational contexts.
• Manufacturing and Quality Assurance: Validation of equipment design against handling shock requirements to ensure longevity and reliability.
• Military and Aerospace: Evaluating ruggedized equipment that may encounter rough handling shocks during field deployment or logistics handling (excluding fragile radar components unless protected by handling frames).

By simulating practical real-life rough handling scenarios, this standard helps manufacturers reduce failure risks, increase product reliability, and ensure compliance with international durability norms.

Related Standards

IEC 60068-2-31 works alongside several other IEC and ISO standards to provide comprehensive environmental and mechanical testing guidelines:

• IEC 60068-2-27 – Environmental Testing – Test Ea: Shock
  For evaluating shock effects on installed or fixed equipment.

• IEC 60068-2-55 – Environmental Testing – Test Ee: Bounce
  Designed to assess impacts during transportation as loosely constrained cargo.

• IEC Guide 104 – Preparation of Safety Publications
  Framework for composing basic safety and group safety publications, providing guidance on environmental testing standards.

• ISO 48 – Determination of Rubber Hardness
  Used for material characterization within packaging and cushioning relevant to handling tests.

• ISO 4180-2 – Transport Package Performance Test Schedules
  Rules for compiling performance test data pertinent to packages and packaging systems.

By implementing IEC 60068-2-31 compliant testing procedures, manufacturers and engineers ensure that their equipment withstands rough handling environments, improving product durability, customer satisfaction, and international market acceptance.