IEC 60598-2-20:2022

Overview

IEC 60598-2-20:2022 - Luminaires Part 2-20: Particular requirements – Lighting chains specifies safety and construction requirements for lighting chains fitted with series, parallel or series/parallel light-source arrangements for indoor and outdoor use on supply voltages not exceeding 250 V. This fifth edition is a technical revision of the 2014 edition and is intended to be used together with IEC 60598-1 (general requirements for luminaires).

Significant updates in the 2022 edition include:

• New specific provisions for temporarily installed protected lighting (TPL) chains (rough-service chains for construction sites).
• Additional terms and definitions and expanded graphical depictions to clarify different lighting-chain types and connector types (including connector with breaking capacity).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard covers practical and test requirements across the full product lifecycle:

• Scope and classification: permanently installed, temporarily installed, and TPL lighting chains.
• Construction and components: lampholders (including push-in types), terminal blocks, gaskets, lamp-bridging devices and connectors.
• Marking and packaging: requirements for product and packing labelling, instructions and safety information specific to lighting chains.
• Electrical safety: protection against electric shock, earthing provisions, creepage distances and clearances, insulation resistance and electric strength testing.
• Wiring and connections: requirements for external/internal wiring, cord anchorage, plugs, cable types and maximum lengths (including extendable class II chains).
• Mechanical and environmental tests: mechanical strength, lamp insertion/withdrawal force, endurance and thermal tests, resistance to dust, moisture, heat, fire and tracking.
• Interconnecting connectors: normative Annex A contains requirements for connectors used in lighting chains (e.g., detachable/interconnecting connectors, CBC considerations).
• Test methods: procedures for short-circuit, lamp-bridging, and other functional safety checks.

Practical applications

IEC 60598-2-20:2022 is applicable to a wide range of lighting-chain products and scenarios:

• Festoon and decorative lighting (indoor/outdoor decorative strings, Christmas lights).
• Temporary site lighting and protected rough-service chains for construction and demolition (TPL).
• Commercial decorative installations, promenades or event lighting where chains of lamps are used.
• Manufacturing, type-approval and product safety testing of lighting chains and interconnectors.

Who should use this standard

• Lighting and luminaire manufacturers and component suppliers
• Product designers and electrical engineers developing lighting chains
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Installers, specifiers and safety officers for temporary and permanent lighting
• Purchasing and regulatory compliance professionals ensuring product safety and market access

Related standards

• IEC 60598-1 (Luminaires - General requirements) - to be used in conjunction with this part.
• IEC 60598-2-21 - referenced for rope/ sealed lighting chains where applicable.

Keywords: IEC 60598-2-20:2022, lighting chains, luminaires, TPL chains, lampholders, electrical safety, marking, connectors, IEC standard.