IEC 60335-2-15:2024

Overview

The IEC 60335-2-15:2024 international standard specifies the safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances used for heating liquids. This seventh edition, published in 2024 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), replaces the previous 2012 edition, including amendments from 2016 and 2018, and introduces significant technical updates aligned with modern safety practices.

The standard applies to appliances with a rated voltage up to 250 V AC or DC, including battery-operated devices. Common appliances covered include coffee makers, kettles, pressure cookers (with specified capacity and pressure limits), rice cookers, steam cookers, milk heaters, egg boilers, feeding-bottle heaters, soy milk makers, and yoghurt makers. The appliances are intended primarily for household use but can also be used in similar environments such as shops, light industry, and farms.

IEC 60335-2-15:2024 addresses common hazards encountered by general users but does not focus on special user groups such as children or individuals lacking instruction. Additional national or regional requirements may apply, especially for appliances used in vehicles, ships, or industrial settings.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application: Covers electrical heating appliances for liquids with a capacity of up to 10 liters and pressure limits for pressure cookers (maximum cooking pressure of 140 kPa). It excludes appliances like deep fat fryers, storage water heaters, commercial vending machines, medical appliances, and devices intended exclusively for industrial or hazardous environments.

• Updated Safety Requirements: This edition introduces new and revised rules including:

  • Alignment with the latest general safety standard IEC 60335-1:2020.
  • Normative incorporation of previous advisory notes for clarity and stricter compliance.
  • Surface temperature limits to reduce risks of burns.
  • Detailed spillage testing, including new procedures for coffee makers and built-in appliances to enhance safety against hot liquid spills.
  • Enhanced tests for mechanical strength, such as kettle handle durability and requirements for glass containers.
  • Introduction of new test probes and clarifications on mechanical hazard testing forces.
  • Addition of safety instructions for polycarbonate liquid containers and kettles.
  • Programmed electronic control limits on simultaneous operation of heating elements and motors to avoid overheating.

• Testing and Verification: The standard details rigorous testing methods:

  • Surface temperature measurements to ensure safe external temperatures.
  • Mechanical stability and strength tests to prevent injury from appliance failure.
  • Electrical insulation, leakage current, and terminal protection tests.
  • Spillage tests using salt solutions (NaCl) for kettles to simulate real-life conditions.
  • Special tests for cordless and battery-operated appliances.

• Marking and Instructions: The standard mandates clear user instructions and safety markings to inform proper and safe use, including installation, cleaning, and handling warnings.

Applications

IEC 60335-2-15:2024 applies to a wide range of household and similar appliances designed for heating liquids safely and reliably, supporting manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and testing laboratories in the following areas:

• Domestic Kitchen Appliances: Ensuring safety of common appliances like kettles, coffee makers, egg boilers, and yoghurt makers used daily in homes.
• Small Commercial Uses: Covers devices usable by non-professionals in small shops, farms, and light industry settings that operate similarly to household appliances.
• Battery-Operated Devices: Safety requirements extended to cordless heating appliances, considering electrical, mechanical, and thermal hazards.
• Appliance Design and Manufacturing: Guidance for manufacturers to comply with updated testing methods, material use (e.g., polycarbonate containers), and mechanical durability requirements.
• National Compliance: Supports conformity with international safety expectations, helping national committees adopt uniform standards while considering additional regional regulations.
• Consumer Protection: Enhances user safety by addressing risks such as electric shock, fire hazards, mechanical failures, and burn injuries from hot surfaces or spillage.

Related Standards

The IEC 60335-2-15 standard is part of the broader IEC 60335 series on household and similar electrical appliances safety. It is designed to be used alongside these related standards for specific appliance types and functions:

• IEC 60335-1 – General safety requirements for household electrical appliances (the foundational standard).
• IEC 60335-2-13 – Particular requirements for deep fat fryers.
• IEC 60335-2-21 – Particular requirements for storage water heaters.
• IEC 60335-2-35 – Particular requirements for instantaneous water heaters.
• IEC 60335-2-54 – Particular requirements for surface-cleaning appliances using liquids or steam.
• IEC 60335-2-74 – Particular requirements for portable immersion heaters.
• IEC 60335-2-75 – Particular requirements for commercial dispensing and vending appliances.
• IEC 60601 Series – Safety standards for electrical appliances for medical purposes.
• IEC 60335-2-98 – Particular requirements for humidifiers.

Manufacturers and safety professionals should consult these standards in conjunction with IEC 60335-2-15:2024 to ensure comprehensive safety compliance across a variety of electrical appliances.

By adhering to IEC 60335-2-15:2024, stakeholders ensure high safety standards for liquid heating appliances, promoting user protection, product reliability, and international market acceptance. This standard plays a vital role in the development, assessment, and regulatory approval of household and similar electrical heating appliances globally.