IEC 60364-7-705:2006

Overview

IEC 60364-7-705:2006 specifies requirements for low-voltage electrical installations in agricultural and horticultural premises. It supplements the general IEC 60364 series (Parts 1–6) and addresses fixed indoor and outdoor installations where livestock, crop production (greenhouses), storage and processing of agricultural products occur. Household rooms and similar domestic areas are excluded unless the standard normatively states otherwise.

Key topics and technical requirements

This part of IEC 60364 focuses on practical measures to ensure safety and reliable operation in harsh agricultural environments. Major topics include:

• Scope and definitions – Clarifies what constitutes agricultural and horticultural premises and adjacent residences or common buildings.
• Protection against electric shock – Includes requirements for automatic disconnection of supply, use of extra‑low‑voltage systems (SELF and PELV), and supplementary protective equipotential bonding.
• Overcurrent, overvoltage and thermal protection – Rules for protecting installations from overload, short-circuit, and fire risks arising from combustible materials common to farms.
• Selection and erection of equipment – Guidance on wiring systems, conduits, cable trunking, mechanical protection and routing suitable for moisture, dust, corrosive vapours and mechanical damage.
• Isolation, switching and control – Requirements for safe isolation, switching devices and control systems for agricultural processes.
• Earthing and bonding – Earthing arrangements, protective conductors and bonding to limit touch voltages and protect people and livestock.
• Special equipment rules – Requirements for socket‑outlets, luminaires and other devices exposed to aggressive or high‑risk environments; inclusion of RCD protection for final circuits.
• Safety services and life‑support – Provisions for automatic life‑support systems in high-density livestock rearing.
• Annexes – Examples and practical guidance (equipotential bonding, placing equipment out of reach, supervised installations, country notes).

Practical applications and users

Who uses IEC 60364-7-705:

• Electrical designers and consultants specifying low‑voltage systems for farms, greenhouses and processing facilities
• Installers and contractors implementing wiring, earthing and protection measures
• Inspectors, certifiers and authorities enforcing electrical safety in agricultural installations
• Farm managers and facilities engineers responsible for safe electrical operation and livestock welfare

This standard helps ensure reliable power for ventilation, lighting, milking, feeding, heating and processing equipment while reducing risk to people, animals and property.

Related standards

Relevant referenced documents include IEC 60309 (industrial plugs and socket‑outlets), IEC 60335‑2‑71 (appliances for animal rearing), IEC 60598 (luminaires), IEC 60884 (plugs and socket‑outlets) and conduit/trunking standards (IEC 61084‑2‑1, IEC 61386‑21). These support product‑specific requirements and installation methods.

Keywords: IEC 60364-7-705, low-voltage electrical installations, agricultural and horticultural premises, RCD protection, earthing, equipotential bonding, wiring systems, luminaires.