IEC 60684-3-116:2024

Overview

IEC 60684-3-116:2024 specifies requirements for flexible insulating sleeving extruded from polychloroprene (neoprene) compounds. It covers non-heat-shrinkable, extruded polychloroprene sleeving intended for general-purpose electrical insulation, suitable for service temperatures up to 95 °C. This fourth edition (2024) updates clause references in property tables and adds a resistance to fluids test.

Key product forms in this sheet:

• Sheet 116: thin-wall extruded polychloroprene sleeving
• Sheet 117: thick-wall extruded polychloroprene sleeving
  Normal availability: internal diameters up to 25 mm and opaque colours (black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, white, pink). Custom colours/sizes may comply if they meet the property requirements.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard defines dimensional, electrical and mechanical property limits and test methods (referencing IEC 60684-1 and IEC 60684-2). Major technical topics include:

• Dimensional requirements: nominal internal diameters and minimum/maximum wall thicknesses (see Table 1).
• Electrical properties: breakdown voltage (Sheet 116: 2.0 kV; Sheet 117: 4.0 kV), volume resistivity at room and after damp heat.
• Mechanical properties: elongation at break (min. 400%), bending and low-temperature flexibility, tensile/tear resistance, circumferential extension.
• Environmental resistance: flame propagation (Method A), ozone resistance, silver staining and colour fastness to light.
• New in 2024: resistance to selected fluids test added (see Table 3).
• Conformance: product qualification normally based on 10 mm internal diameter samples; colour fastness qualified for all colours.

Example designation format is provided (e.g., “Sleeving IEC 60684-3-116 2,5 GN”).

Applications

IEC 60684-3-116 is used where reliable flexible electrical insulation is required:

• Wire and cable harness insulation and identification
• Component protection in appliances, industrial equipment, automotive and power distribution systems
• General-purpose sleeving in electronics repair, assembly, and manufacturing
  Users rely on this standard to select materials that meet minimum safety, electrical and mechanical performance for operating temperatures up to 95 °C.

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers of insulating sleeving and cable assemblies
• Design and application engineers specifying wire/cable protection
• Test laboratories and quality assurance teams performing conformity testing
• Procurement and compliance professionals referencing material specifications

Related standards

• IEC 60684-1 (Definitions and general requirements)
• IEC 60684-2 (Methods of test)
• IEC 60068-2-74 (Fluid contamination testing)
• IEC 60757 (Colour designation)
• ISO 1817 (Effect of liquids on rubber)

Keywords: IEC 60684-3-116, flexible insulating sleeving, extruded polychloroprene, neoprene sleeving, non-heat-shrinkable sleeving, breakdown voltage, volume resistivity, resistance to fluids, sleeving specifications.