IEC 60730-2-6:2015

Overview

IEC 60730-2-6:2015 defines particular requirements for automatic electrical pressure sensing controls, including mechanical requirements, testing and functional safety aspects. The standard covers controls with a gauge pressure rating from −60 kPa to 4.2 MPa and for rated voltages up to 690 V AC / 600 V DC. It applies to pressure sensing devices used in, on or in association with equipment that may use electricity, gas, oil, solid fuel, solar thermal energy or combinations thereof. IEC 60730-2-6 is a Part 2 document and must be read in conjunction with IEC 60730-1:2013 (general requirements).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Covers both independently mounted and equipment-integrated pressure sensing controls.
  • Includes mechanical and electrical aspects and low-complexity functional safety for safety-related pressure controls.
  • Excludes controls intended exclusively for industrial process applications unless the equipment standard explicitly includes them.
• Mechanical requirements
  • Construction, mechanical strength, threaded parts and connections, and material guidance (e.g., bellows/bourdon tube materials in Annex BB).
• Electrical and electronic requirements
  • Tests for insulation, electric strength, terminals, EMC emission and immunity, heating and drift.
  • Specific provisions for electronic pressure sensing controls (Annex H) and NTC/PTC thermistor usage (Annex J).
• Performance and reliability
  • Endurance, environmental stress, moisture/dust resistance, corrosion resistance and deviation/drift testing (Annex CC).
• Safety functions and classes
  • Requirements aligned with IEC 60730-1 (Edition 5) and updated rules for Class B and Class C control functions and handling faults during lock-out or safety shut-down.
• Information and marking
  • Required documentation, rating and user instructions to ensure correct integration into control systems and equipment.

Practical applications

IEC 60730-2-6 is used for design, testing and certification of pressure sensing controls in:

• HVAC systems (pressure switches, safety cut-outs)
• Boilers and water heaters (gas/oil-fired appliances)
• Pumps, compressors and refrigeration systems
• Safety shut-down and lock-out functions in consumer and light-industrial equipment
• Appliances and equipment covered by IEC 60335-1

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers of pressure sensing controls and sensors
• Appliance and equipment OEMs integrating pressure-based safety or control systems
• Test laboratories and certification bodies assessing compliance
• Design and safety engineers responsible for control system reliability and functional safety

Related standards

• IEC 60730-1:2013 (General requirements for automatic electrical controls) - mandatory companion document
• IEC 60335-1 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances) - referenced for appliance-related controls

Keywords: sensing controls, pressure sensing, control systems, pressure sensing controls, IEC 60730-2-6.