IEC 60335-2-2:2019

Overview

IEC 60335-2-2:2019 is an internationally recognized safety standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It defines specific requirements for the safety of electric vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances designed for household and similar purposes, with rated voltages up to 250 V. The standard also encompasses special use cases, including vacuum cleaners for animal grooming, centrally-sited vacuum cleaners, and automatic battery-operated cleaning appliances. As part of the IEC 60335 series, this document aims to enhance the safety of electrical cleaning appliances, providing guidance to manufacturers, certification bodies, and users worldwide.

Key Topics

• Scope of Safety Requirements: The standard applies to a broad range of products, including battery-operated and dual supply devices, motorized cleaning heads, and current-carrying hoses. It specifically excludes industry-only machines and those used in hazardous environments.
• Household and Similar Purposes: While it primarily targets household applications, the standard also covers vacuum cleaners intended for general housekeeping in commercial settings like hotels, offices, schools, and hospitals.
• Common Hazards Addressed: Protection against electrical, thermal, mechanical, fire, and radiation risks typical to the intended usage environment. The standard considers normal operation and foreseeable abnormal conditions, such as blockages and spillage.
• Markings and Instructions: IEC 60335-2-2 details requirements for labeling appliances with essential safety information, correct use instructions, and warnings-especially for applications like animal grooming or ash vacuuming.
• Test Methods: The standard specifies measurement and testing protocols for verifying product safety, including assessment under different supply voltages and settings.
• Technical Revisions: The 2019 edition introduces revisions aimed at improving safety for appliances used for animal grooming, converting notes into normative requirements for greater clarity, and aligning annexes with updates in related standards.

Applications

IEC 60335-2-2:2019 is critical for manufacturers, designers, importers, and certification bodies engaged with electrical cleaning appliances. Its applications include:

• Product Design and Development: Ensures new and existing vacuum cleaners and water-suction devices meet rigorous international safety criteria.
• Certification and Compliance: Assists conformity assessment bodies and national regulators in certifying appliances for market entry and ongoing compliance.
• Risk Mitigation: Reduces the risk of electrical shocks, fires, and other hazards for operators and the public by providing clear requirements for accessible components, insulation, leakage current, and mechanical robustness.
• User Instructions: Establishes guidelines for practical and effective labeling, such as warnings for ash vacuum cleaners and instructions for proper handling of current-carrying hoses.
• Commercial and Institutional Use: Guides safe appliance use in environments ranging from homes to commercial spaces-ensuring consistent safety standards wherever vacuum cleaners are utilized for housekeeping.

Related Standards

IEC 60335-2-2:2019 is intended for use in conjunction with other standards in the IEC 60335 series, particularly:

• IEC 60335-1: General requirements for safety of household and similar electrical appliances, serving as the foundational standard.
• IEC 60335-2-69: Relates to wet and dry vacuum cleaners, including those with power brushes, specifically for commercial use (not covered by 2-2).
• IEC 60312: Methods for measuring household vacuum cleaner performance.
• IEC TS 62885-1: Defines general requirements for test materials and equipment for surface cleaning appliances.

Other referenced standards for testing materials, graphical symbols, and marking include ISO 7010, ISO 216, ISO 6344-2, and IEC 60584-1.

Incorporating the requirements and guidance of IEC 60335-2-2:2019 ensures the safety, reliability, and market acceptance of household vacuum cleaners and water-suction appliances, providing a benchmark for global product safety in both residential and light-commercial contexts.