IEC 60352-5:2020

Overview

IEC 60352-5:2020 - Solderless connections, Part 5: Press-in connections defines general requirements, test methods and practical guidance for press-in (press-fit) solderless terminations used in electrical and electronic equipment and components. The fifth edition updates scope and technical content to reflect current materials and manufacturing practices, and includes both normative test procedures and an informative Annex A with practical assembly and board-design guidance.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and definitions: Applies to press-in terminations inserted into holes of printed and non-printed boards (including metal boards). New terms for board, hole and metal board are included.
• Materials and finishes: Guidance on termination materials and surface finishes to ensure stable electrical contact under environmental stress.
• Test boards and plated-through holes: Requirements for test board construction and plated-through-hole characteristics (including updated copper thickness limits to reflect market practice).
• Mechanical performance: Procedures for measuring insertion force, push-out (extraction) force, and mechanical integrity; graphs and data collection for insertion/push-out force were added to the 2020 edition.
• Electrical tests: Contact resistance measurement methods and test arrangements (including provisions when the termination does not protrude through the board).
• Climatic and environmental tests: Conditioning and ageing tests to validate long-term electrical stability under specified atmospheres.
• Test schedules: Two distinct programs - a qualification test schedule for product approval and an application test schedule for specific use cases - plus guidance on specimen quantities and reporting.
• Tools and assembly: Requirements and evaluation methods for insertion/removal tools and support blocks; practical tool information is provided.
• Practical guidance: Annex A covers current-carrying capacity, repair, board manufacturing considerations (drilling, hole sizing), and corrosion concerns.

Applications and users

IEC 60352-5 is used by:

• Connector and terminal manufacturers performing product qualification and design validation
• PCB and metal-board designers who must specify hole dimensions and plated-through-hole parameters
• Test and reliability engineers conducting mechanical, electrical and climatic testing
• Quality, compliance and procurement teams ensuring conformity for assemblies using press-in terminations

Typical practical applications include through-hole press-in terminations for connectors, wire-to-board terminals and components in consumer, industrial, and general electronic equipment where solderless secure electrical contact is required.

Related standards

• Other parts of the IEC 60352 series (Solderless connections) provide complementary requirements for alternative solderless connection types and testing. Consult the IEC webstore or national IEC committee for the latest related documents.

Keywords: IEC 60352-5, press-in connections, solderless connections, press-fit terminal, insertion force, push-out force, plated-through hole, contact resistance, qualification test schedule.