IEC 61010-2-033:2023

Overview

IEC 61010-2-033:2023 is the third edition of the IEC safety standard that defines safety requirements for hand-held multimeters and other meters (domestic and professional) capable of measuring mains voltage. It is part of the IEC 61010 series covering electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. This edition cancels and replaces the 2019 edition and introduces a number of technical revisions affecting insulation, clearances/creepage, protection against fire/arc-flash and testing provisions.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to multi-range, hand-supported, multifunction measuring instruments intended primarily to measure mains voltage and related electrical quantities (voltage, current, resistance).
• Insulation and clearance/creepage: Revised requirements for measuring circuit terminals, including definitions for clearances and creepage distances up to 3 000 V (unmated, partially mated and mated positions).
• Protection against electric shock: Updates to constructional and testing requirements for primary, supplementary and reinforced insulation; specification of testing sequences and single-fault conditions.
• Surge protection: New subclause on surge protective devices (4.4.2.101) to address transient events encountered when measuring mains.
• Fire and arc-flash protection: New subclause (9.101) addressing spread of fire and arc-flash protection for measuring circuits.
• Marking, documentation and ratings: Detailed requirements for marking, user documentation and equipment ratings specific to hand-held multimeters.
• Annexes and calculation methods: Technical updates in normative/informative annexes (new clearance tables, revised determination methods, redesigned figures, and a new Annex EE for clearance determination).
• Reference alignment: This extended version incorporates references to IEC 61010-1:2010 and its AMD1:2016.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

• Manufacturers of hand-held multimeters and portable test instruments use the standard to design products that meet international safety requirements and to prepare technical files for certification.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies apply the specified tests (insulation, clearances, surge and arc-flash considerations) during type testing and conformity assessment.
• Design and safety engineers use the standard to select materials, insulation systems, and protective measures for product safety and compliance.
• Compliance and procurement teams rely on IEC 61010-2-033:2023 when specifying safe measurement equipment for industrial, utility, field service and domestic applications.

Related standards

• IEC 61010-1:2010 (Part 1: General requirements) - referenced and included in the extended version.
• Other parts of the IEC 61010 series that cover safety requirements for measurement, control and laboratory equipment.

Keywords: IEC 61010-2-033:2023, hand-held multimeters, safety requirements, mains voltage, insulation, creepage and clearance, surge protective devices, arc flash, IEC standard.