IEC 60115-1:2008

Overview - IEC 60115-1:2008 (Fixed resistors, Generic specification)

IEC 60115-1:2008 is the International Electrotechnical Commission’s generic specification for fixed resistors for use in electronic equipment. It defines standard terms, inspection procedures and methods of test intended for use in sectional and detail specifications, quality assessment, procurement and regulatory compliance. This fourth edition (2008) cancels and replaces earlier IEC 61045 parts and the 1999 third edition, and introduces several notable technical changes (see Key changes).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard organizes comprehensive test and measurement procedures and quality-assessment methods. Major technical topics include:

• Definitions, units and preferred values - standard terminology, symbols and nominal resistance values.
• Marking, coding, packaging, storage and transportation requirements for fixed resistors.
• Electrical tests:
  • Resistance measurement and tolerance
  • Insulation resistance and voltage-proof tests
  • Variation of resistance with temperature and temperature coefficient
  • Reactance, non-linear properties, voltage coefficient and noise
• Mechanical and environmental tests:
  • Robustness of the resistor body and terminations (tensile, bending, torsion, torque, shear)
  • Vibration, shock, bump and rapid change of temperature
  • Solderability and resistance to soldering heat
• Climatic and reliability tests:
  • Damp heat (steady-state and cyclic), climatic sequence and low air pressure
  • Endurance (at room temperature, 70 °C and upper category temperatures)
  • Accidental overload and single/periodic-pulse high-voltage overload tests
• Special procedures: component solvent resistance and marking solvent resistance

Key technical changes in the 2008 edition include:

• Implementation of Annex Q (replacing Clause 3)
• New test procedures (clauses 4.34–4.38)
• Removal of the property “temperature characteristics” from clause 4.8
• New shear-test severities and updated bias voltages for damp heat steady-state testing
• Minor editorial revisions to tables, figures and references

Applications - who uses IEC 60115-1:2008

This generic specification is used by:

• Resistor manufacturers (design, production and quality control)
• Test laboratories and certification bodies (compliance testing and reporting)
• Component engineers and electronic designers (specifying parts for reliability and performance)
• Procurement teams and OEMs (supplier quality agreements and acceptance criteria)
• Regulatory and standards bodies referencing consistent test methods

Practical benefits include consistent quality assessment, repeatable test methods, reduced field failures, and clearer supplier-to-customer specifications for fixed resistors used in electronics.

Related standards

• Replaces IEC 61045-1, IEC 61045-2 and IEC 61045-2-1 (1991)
• Supersedes IEC 60115-1 third edition (1999)

Keywords: IEC 60115-1:2008, fixed resistors, resistor testing, generic specification, electronic components, damp heat test, solderability, endurance testing, quality assessment.