IEC 60670-24:2024

Overview

IEC 60670-24:2024 - Edition 3.0 - specifies particular requirements for boxes and enclosures that house protective devices and other power‑dissipating electrical equipment for household and similar fixed electrical installations. The standard applies to enclosures intended for use with a rated voltage ≤ 400 V and a total incoming load current ≤ 125 A, installed where unskilled persons can access them but where equipment is fitted by skilled installers. It defines performance, construction and test requirements (mechanical, thermal, electrical, EMC, ingress protection) and is intended for ambient temperatures normally not exceeding +40 °C (24 h average ≤ +35 °C, min −5 °C). This third edition (2024) revises and extends the 2011 edition.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & ratings: voltage, current and short‑circuit limits (prospective short‑circuit current ≤ 10 kA unless limited by current‑limiting devices to ≤ 17 kA).
• Protection against electric shock: updated requirements for user safety (Clause 10).
• Earthing and functional earthing: added requirements for functional earthing (11.101).
• Construction & fixing: revised fixing rules for flush and semi‑flush enclosures; cover and lid fastening requirements; cable entries, knock‑outs and cable anchorage (Clause 12).
• Thermal performance: verification of maximum capability to dissipate power (Pde) and temperature‑rise tests (Clauses 101–102; Annex AA includes calculations for electronic device power loss).
• Materials & fire: revised requirements for insulating material resistance to abnormal heat and to fire (Clause 18).
• Durability & environmental resistance: ageing, UV/direct‑sunlight exposure tests (Annex CC), corrosion, tracking and low‑temperature impact.
• Mechanical protection: IK code testing and impact/compression tests (Annex B).
• EMC and modern use cases: EMC requirements and new annexes for multimedia areas (Annex DD) and enclosures used with connected/IoT devices (Annex EE).
• Manufacturer-to-installer guidance: normative instructions for GP and PD enclosures, selection, markings and installer checks (Annexes AA, BB).

Practical applications

• Design, manufacture and certification of distribution boxes, consumer units and enclosures that contain circuit breakers, residual current devices, power dissipating modules and smart/connected modules for homes, apartments, commercial and similar fixed installations.
• Test laboratories verifying compliance with mechanical, thermal, electrical, IP/IK and EMC criteria.
• Specifiers and regulatory authorities referencing safe enclosure construction, mounting and performance in building and electrical codes.

Who should use this standard

• Enclosure and electrical accessory manufacturers
• Product designers and R&D engineers
• Test labs and certification bodies
• Electrical installers, contractors and specifiers
• Standards committees and compliance officers

Related standards

• IEC 60670-1:2024 (general requirements for boxes and enclosures) - referenced and included content in this part.
• The IEC 60670 series (general + particular parts) for full guidance on boxes and enclosures.

Keywords: IEC 60670-24, enclosures for electrical accessories, protective devices, power‑dissipating equipment, household installations, IP, IK, temperature rise, earthing, EMC, thermal testing.