IEC 61010-031:2022

Overview

IEC 61010-031:2022 (Edition 3) is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) group safety publication that specifies safety requirements for hand-held and hand-manipulated probe assemblies and related accessories used with electrical test and measurement equipment. This stand‑alone part of the IEC 61010 series covers probes that provide either direct electrical connection or non-contact measurement between a test object and measurement equipment. Edition 3 (2022) cancels Edition 2 (2015) and Amendment 1:2018 and introduces significant technical updates and reorganized clauses.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and classification
  • Defines probe types including the new Type E (Kelvin probes) and Type F (voltage measurement without electrical contact); Type C merged into Type B; no longer differentiates high/low voltage probe assemblies.
• Electrical safety
  • Requirements for clearances and creepage distances, insulation, basic/supplementary/double/reinforced insulation, and procedures for voltage testing. A calculation method for connector clearances above 20 kV is added (Annex G).
  • Touch current measurement circuits and limits; updated requirements for connectors and probe tips (including applicability to non‑contact probes).
• Probe tips and connectors
  • Modified definition of probe tip; new rules for IP2X probe tips with retractable sleeves; unmated connector requirements updated and Table 2 expanded.
• Marking and documentation
  • Removable probe tip parts may bear markings; measurement category voltage marking is the AC line-to-neutral or DC voltage.
• Mechanical and environmental tests
  • Tests include rigidity, drop, impact, temperature, resistance to heat, and mechanical stress. Voltage tests for clearances are now performed without humidity preconditioning. Spread of fire has been removed as a considered hazard.
• Added and revised normative/informative content
  • New Annex G (clearance determination) and Annex H (line-to-neutral voltages for common mains). Normative references have been dated and expanded.

Practical applications

• Ensures probe assemblies (hand-held probes, Kelvin probes, non-contact voltage probes) meet international safety expectations for:
  • Design and manufacture of test probes and accessories
  • Product safety compliance and CE/UKCA/third‑party certification
  • Test-laboratory procedures and conformity assessment
  • Risk assessment, labeling, and user documentation for field and laboratory test equipment

Who should use this standard

• Probe and test-equipment designers and manufacturers
• Compliance engineers and product safety managers
• Test labs and certification bodies
• R&D and calibration laboratories using hand-held and hand-manipulated probes

Related standards

• IEC 61010 family (safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use)
• IEC Guide 104 (group safety publication status and guidance)

Keywords: IEC 61010-031, probe assemblies, hand-held probes, safety requirements, clearances, creepage distances, probe tips, Kelvin probes, non-contact probes, measurement categories.