IEC 60598-1:2024

Overview

IEC 60598-1:2024 - Luminaires: Part 1: General requirements and tests is the 10th edition (technical revision) of the international safety standard for luminaires. It defines general safety, construction, marking and testing requirements for electric luminaires and semi-luminaires intended to operate from supply voltages up to 1 000 V. This edition replaces IEC 60598-1:2020 and introduces structural and technical updates (new annexes, revised clauses on earthing, surge protection, photobiological safety, thermal testing, marking and more).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard sets out comprehensive requirements and tests for safe luminaire design and performance, including:

• General construction and safety: requirements for materials, mechanical strength, suspensions, fixings, flame resistance and corrosion protection.
• Marking and information: mandatory marking, supply nature, and additional information (including guidance where protective earth current > 10 mA).
• Electrical safety and earthing: provisions for earthing, provision for protective conductors and revisions to earthing terminology aligned with IEC 60050-195.
• Insulation and clearance: insulation between circuits (SELV/PELV/FELV), creepage distances and clearances.
• Wiring and connections: external/internal wiring, terminal blocks, loop-in provisions and conductor mechanical stress.
• Protection against ingress and environment: IP classification tests for dust and moisture resistance.
• Thermal and endurance testing: normal and abnormal thermal tests, endurance tests for controlgear and lamps.
• Photobiological safety: updated requirements addressing UV, blue-light and retinal hazards.
• Surge protection and controlgear: revised requirements for SPDs/SPCs and additional rules for controllable controlgear providing SELV outputs.
• Special topics: suspension by magnets, luminaires using batteries (new Annex W), non-user serviceable components classification, and marking of mains socket outlets.

Practical applications - who uses IEC 60598-1

IEC 60598-1 is used by:

• Luminaire manufacturers for product design, safety compliance and CE/market approvals.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies for type testing and conformity assessment.
• Electrical engineers, lighting designers and specifiers to select compliant luminaires for projects.
• Installers and facility managers to interpret marking, earthing and installation guidance.
• Regulators and procurement teams referencing safety and performance requirements.

Related standards

Relevant cross-references include IEC 60050-195 (terminology), IEC 61058 series and IEC 60669 series for switches, plus other parts of the IEC 60598 luminaire series for specific luminaire types and performance tests.

Keywords: IEC 60598-1, luminaires, general requirements, safety tests, IP rating, earthing, photobiological safety, surge protection, thermal test, luminaire marking.