IEC 60335-2-24:2010

Overview

IEC 60335-2-24:2010 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances, focusing specifically on refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances, and ice makers. The standard addresses appliances designed for household use, as well as those intended for leisure environments such as camping, touring caravans, and boats. It applies to appliances powered by mains electricity or batteries, with rated voltages up to 250 V single-phase, 480 V other appliances, and 24 V direct current for battery-operated units.

This standard ensures the safety of these appliances by addressing electrical, mechanical, and thermal risks, including special provisions for appliances using flammable refrigerants and new refrigerant systems. It aligns with the general safety framework set out by IEC 60335-1, complementing it with specific requirements tailored to these types of refrigeration and ice-making equipment.

Key Topics

• Scope and Appliance Types
  Covers household refrigerating appliances, ice-cream makers, ice-makers with motor compressors, and appliances for leisure use under defined electrical ratings.

• Safety Requirements Alignment
  Updated to align with the general safety standard IEC 60335-1 and its amendments, ensuring harmonized safety protocols.

• Flammable Refrigerant Use
  Introduces specific guidelines for compression-type appliances using flammable refrigerants to mitigate fire and explosion risks.

• Thermal and Mechanical Tests
  Includes detailed tests such as enhanced flexing tests, needle-flame tests for accessible thermal insulation and non-metallic materials, and stability/mechanical hazard tests for accessible components.

• Marking and Instructions
  Specifies updated marking requirements for supply terminals, with emphasis on battery-operated appliances to ensure clear user information and safe operation.

• Transcritical Refrigerant Systems
  Introduces new safety requirements to accommodate appliances using emerging transcritical refrigerant technologies.

• Accessible Components
  Clarifies testing and safety provisions for accessible glass panels, non-metallic materials, and thermal insulation with defined parameters on accessibility and surface areas.

• Endurance and Abnormal Operation
  Defines conditions for endurance testing and operational safety under abnormal conditions to ensure long-term appliance safety.

Applications

IEC 60335-2-24:2010 is essential for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory authorities involved with:

• Household Refrigerators and Freezers
  Ensuring domestic refrigeration units meet international safety standards to protect consumers from electrical and mechanical hazards.

• Ice-Cream Appliances
  Guaranteeing safe operation of home-use ice-cream makers through validated design and testing protocols.

• Ice Makers for Leisure and Household Use
  Covering appliances used in boats, caravans, and camping for safe refrigeration or ice production.

• Appliances Using Flammable Refrigerants
  Supporting innovation in eco-friendly refrigeration technologies by defining safe manufacturing and testing practices for appliances employing flammable gases.

• Battery-Operated Appliances
  Addressing safety needs and markings for appliances powered by batteries, critical for portable and off-grid applications.

• Compliance Testing and Certification
  Guiding national committees and certification bodies on harmonized testing methodologies, making product certification consistent worldwide.

Related Standards

• IEC 60335-1 – General safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances, establishing foundational safety principles that IEC 60335-2-24 complements.

• IEC 60695-11-10 – Tests for flammability of materials, referenced for evaluating thermal insulation and non-metallic materials in refrigerating appliances.

• Various IEC Amendments and Interpretation Sheets – Provide ongoing clarifications and updates to ensure the standard remains current with evolving technologies, especially regarding flammable refrigerants and accessibility testing.

Keywords: IEC 60335-2-24, refrigerating appliance safety standard, household electrical appliance safety, ice-cream appliance safety, ice maker regulations, flammable refrigerant appliances, transcritical refrigerant systems, thermal insulation testing, battery-operated refrigerators, IEC safety compliance, electrical appliance safety requirements.