IEC 60745-2-22:2011

IEC 60745-2-22:2011 Overview

IEC 60745-2-22:2011 is an international safety standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies particular safety requirements for hand-held motor-operated electric cut-off machines. These power tools are fitted with one bonded reinforced wheel (Type 41 or 42) or one or more diamond cut-off wheels used primarily to cut materials including metals, concrete, masonry, glass, and tile. The standard covers machines with wheel diameters ranging from 55 mm to 410 mm and rated wheel speeds not exceeding a peripheral speed of 100 m/s.

This standard supplements the general safety requirements outlined in IEC 60745-1 and focuses specifically on mechanical and electrical safety aspects pertinent to cut-off machines. It ensures that manufacturers design tools to minimize hazards related to wheel breakage, electrical shock, and mechanical failures.

Key Topics in IEC 60745-2-22

• Scope and Application: Applies to cut-off machines using bonded reinforced or diamond cut-off wheels, excluding grinders, sanders, polishers (covered by IEC 60745-2-3), and circular saws (covered by IEC 60745-2-5).
• Safety Requirements: Detailed requirements for guarding, mechanical strength, protection against live electrical parts, and safe starting mechanisms.
• Wheel and Flange Specifications: Defines terms like backing flange, locking flange, and blotter, and prescribes dimensions and construction criteria to securely mount and operate cut-off wheels safely.
• Testing Conditions: Stipulates general test procedures for measuring mechanical hazards, electrical insulation, heating, leakage current, and endurance to ensure compliance.
• Marking and Instructions: Mandates clear labeling and instruction manuals to include information about rated wheel size, maximum speeds, safe operation, and maintenance guidelines.
• Special Considerations for Diamond Wheels: Includes requirements for guard thickness and peripheral gaps not exceeding 10 mm to prevent accidents.
• Electrical Safety: Covers protection against electric shock, moisture resistance, electric strength, and overload protection for transformers and circuits.
• Mechanical Hazards Mitigation: Emphasizes robust guard designs tested for strength and effectiveness in avoiding direct contact with wheels in motion.
• Battery Tool Provisions: Annexes cover particular requirements when cut-off machines use battery packs or battery packs with mains connection.

Applications

IEC 60745-2-22:2011 is essential for manufacturers, designers, and safety engineers involved in developing, producing, and certifying hand-held motor-operated cut-off machines that utilize bonded or diamond wheels. The standard:

• Ensures user safety and compliance with international regulations for power tools designed for construction, metal fabrication, glass cutting, and masonry work.
• Assists importers and distributors in verifying conformity and suitability of cut-off tools for target markets.
• Guides testing laboratories to perform consistent and comprehensive safety evaluations of cut-off machines before market entry.
• Supports occupational safety by reducing the risk of mechanical and electrical hazards encountered during tool operation.

Related Standards

• IEC 60745-1: General safety requirements for hand-held motor-operated electric tools – fundamental to applying IEC 60745-2-22.
• IEC 60745-2-3: Safety requirements specific to grinders, sanders, and polishers.
• IEC 60745-2-5: Safety requirements for circular saws.
• ISO 603-15 and ISO 603-16: Specify dimensions and safety for bonded abrasive grinding wheels used in cut-off machines.

By harmonizing design and testing protocols, these standards ensure that cut-off machines meet rigorous safety, performance, and reliability criteria, fostering global consistency in tool safety.

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