IEC 60335-2-98:2023

Overview

IEC 60335-2-98:2023 - "Household and similar electrical appliances ­– Safety – Part 2-98: Particular requirements for humidifiers" is the third edition of the IEC safety standard for electric humidifiers for household and similar use. It covers appliances with rated voltages up to 250 V single‑phase and 480 V for other appliances, including DC‑supplied and battery‑operated humidifiers. The standard applies to common humidifier types such as:

• Atomizing (nebulizing) humidifiers
• Evaporative humidifiers (water heated to evaporate)
• Fan‑based humidifiers (blowing air through a moist element)

IEC 60335-2-98:2023 is intended for appliances used by consumers and laymen in shops, light industry and farms, and is to be used together with the latest edition of IEC 60335-1 (general household appliance safety requirements).

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

This part 2 standard supplements IEC 60335-1 with humidifier‑specific safety requirements and tests. Key technical topics include:

• Scope and exclusions - explicitly excludes liquid‑heating appliances (see IEC 60335-2-15), HVAC system humidifiers (IEC 60335-2-88), medical devices (IEC 60601 series), strictly industrial appliances and equipment for special atmospheres.
• Marking and instructions - consumer information, warnings and safe operating instructions tailored to humidifiers.
• Temperature of accessible surfaces - enhanced limits and measurement guidance to reduce burn risk (new in 2023).
• Protection against access to live parts and moisture resistance - addressing the combination of water and electrical components.
• Leakage current and dielectric strength - tests for safe operation at rated conditions.
• Mechanical strength, stability and construction - to prevent tipping, spills and mechanical hazards.
• Battery‑operated humidifiers - normative Annex B covering batteries and separable/detachable battery requirements.
• New/updated provisions in 2023:
  • Alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020
  • Additional requirements for humidifiers shaped or decorated like toys
  • Application of test probes 18 and 19
  • Guidance for remote‑operation humidifiers

Applications - Who Uses This Standard

IEC 60335-2-98:2023 is essential for:

• Humidifier manufacturers - product design, safety engineering and risk mitigation
• Test laboratories & certification bodies - type testing and conformity assessment
• Compliance and regulatory teams - market access, declarations of conformity and national adoption
• Product designers and R&D - component selection, enclosure design, thermal and electrical safety
• Procurement and retailers - supplier compliance checks and specifications

Practical uses include product development, pre‑compliance testing, certification, user‑manual content, and ensuring safe operation of consumer humidifiers.

Related Standards

• IEC 60335-1 (general requirements for household appliances) - to be used in conjunction
• IEC 60335-2-15 (appliances for heating liquids) - exclusion reference
• IEC 60335-2-88 (HVAC humidifiers) - exclusion reference
• IEC 60601 series (medical appliances) - exclusion reference
• IEC 60364 (wiring rules) - compatibility considerations

Keywords: IEC 60335-2-98:2023, humidifier safety standard, household humidifiers, electrical safety, humidifier testing, compliance, IEC 60335-1.