IEC 60479-2:2019

Overview - IEC 60479-2:2019 (Effects of current on human beings and livestock - Part 2: Special aspects)

IEC 60479-2:2019 is an IEC International Standard that documents the physiological effects of electrical current when it is conducted directly through the human body. It builds on IEC 60479-1 by addressing special waveforms, frequency ranges and impulse conditions. This edition (first as an International Standard) cancels IEC TS 60479-2:2017 and provides revised guidance for technical committees preparing safety standards.

Key topics and technical coverage

• Frequency scope
  • Primary focus: sinusoidal alternating current with frequencies above 100 Hz.
  • Special treatments (AC with DC components, phase control, multicycle control) are given for 15 Hz to 100 Hz.
  • Methods to extend applicability of pure sinusoids up to 150 kHz are provided.
• Waveforms and impulses
  • Analysis of sinusoidal impulses, unidirectional rectangular impulses and capacitor-discharge impulses for durations 0.1 ms to 10 ms.
  • Guidance for random complex irregular waveforms (Annex A) and pulse bursts.
• Physiological thresholds and effects
  • Quantified and discussed thresholds for perception, let‑go, startle reaction, and ventricular fibrillation across frequencies and waveform types.
  • Procedures to estimate equivalent current thresholds for mixed-frequency and burst conditions.
• Special conditions
  • Conducted current due to direct contact only - the document does not treat currents induced by external electromagnetic fields.
  • Effects of current through an immersed human body, including resistivity data and intrinsically safe voltage considerations.
• Data and tools
  • Figures and tables offering empirical threshold curves, waveform examples, and resistivity values to support risk assessment and standard drafting.

Practical applications - who uses IEC 60479-2:2019

• Technical committees and standards writers (primary audience) using this basic safety publication when developing or revising electrotechnical safety standards in line with IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.
• Safety researchers, biomedical engineers and laboratory investigators analyzing current–body interactions for medical devices, electrical safety studies and experimental design.
• Regulators and policy makers referencing physiological thresholds for public safety guidance (note: the publication is not intended as a direct certification or manufacturing standard unless explicitly referenced).

Related standards and guidance

• IEC 60479-1 (general principles on effects of current on human beings and livestock) - complementary core document.
• IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51 - principles for using basic safety publications in standards development.

Keywords: IEC 60479-2:2019, effects of current on human beings, alternating current frequency, ventricular fibrillation threshold, let‑go threshold, impulse currents, capacitor discharge, phase control, multicycle control, random complex waveforms, electrical safety standard.