IEC 60335-2-60:2017

Overview

IEC 60335-2-60:2017 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-60: Particular requirements for whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas - is the fourth edition (2017) of the IEC product-family standard that specifies safety requirements for electric whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas for indoor, household and similar use. The standard applies to appliances with rated voltages up to 250 V for single‑phase units and 480 V for other appliances, and also covers appliances used to circulate air or water in conventional baths. It was developed to be used together with the latest edition of IEC 60335‑1 (general requirements).

Key topics and technical requirements

This part 2 supplements and modifies IEC 60335‑1 for whirlpool-specific hazards. Major technical areas covered include:

• Scope and classification - indoor whirlpool baths, whirlpool spas (including transportable whirlpool spas added in this edition), and similar circulating appliances.
• Marking and instructions - safety labelling and user instructions for installation, use and maintenance.
• Protection against live parts & earthing - prevention of electric shock and requirements for protective bonding.
• Leakage current and electric strength - tests for safe insulation under operating temperature and moisture conditions.
• Moisture resistance & ingress protection - resilience of electrical components to wet environments.
• Motor starting, heating & overload protection - safeguards for pumps, blowers and associated circuitry.
• Endurance, abnormal operation & mechanical hazards - durability, fault conditions and stability (mechanical strength, anti‑entrapment design).
• Construction, internal wiring & components - safe layout, separation, clearances and creepage distances.
• Fire, heat, corrosion & toxicity resistance - material and assembly requirements for safety over the product life.

The 2017 edition also aligned text with Edition 5.2 of Part 1, converted some notes to normative requirements, and added explicit requirements for transportable whirlpool spas.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

IEC 60335‑2‑60:2017 is used by:

• Manufacturers and designers of whirlpool baths, portable spas and circulation systems (for compliance, design validation).
• Test laboratories, conformity assessment bodies and certification agencies (type testing and certification).
• Product safety engineers and compliance teams (risk assessment, technical files).
• Importers, distributors, installers and facility managers in hotels, fitness centres and residential care (selection, installation and maintenance).
• Regulators and standards bodies adopting national implementation.

Related standards and implementation

• To be used in conjunction with IEC 60335‑1 (general household appliance safety).
• Not applicable to water circulation equipment for swimming/motion exercise pools, pool-cleaning appliances, medical devices, or appliances for hazardous atmospheres; additional standards may be required for vehicles, ships or aircraft.
• Committee recommendation: national adoption between 12 and 36 months after publication.

Keywords: IEC 60335-2-60, whirlpool bath safety, whirlpool spa standard, household electrical safety, IEC 60335.