IEC 61212-1:2006

Overview

IEC 61212-1:2006 defines the terminology, designation system and general requirements for industrial rigid round laminated tubes and rods based on thermosetting resins for electrical purposes. It covers products manufactured with phenolic (PF), epoxy/epoxide (EP), melamine (MF) and silicone (SI) binders and reinforced with cellulosic paper (CP), woven cotton cloth (CC), woven glass cloth (GC) or mica paper (MP). This Part 1 establishes how types are named, identified and generally characterised; detailed test methods and material specifications are in Parts 2 and 3.

Key topics

• Scope and definitions: Clear definitions for round laminated rolled tubes, moulded tubes and moulded rods (terms taken from ISO 472, modified).
• Designation system: Standardised type codes formed by:
  • Two-letter resin abbreviation (EP, PF, MF, SI)
  • Two-letter reinforcement abbreviation (CC, CP, GC, MP)
  • Two-digit serial number: first digit indicates form (2 = rolled tube, 3 = moulded tube, 4 = moulded rod), second digit denotes sub-grade
  • Finish letter: "A" = as produced, "B" = ground/turned
  • Example: Rolled tube IEC 61212‑3‑1 – EP GC 21 – 25 × 37 × 1000 – A
• General requirements – appearance and conditions of supply: Basic product presentation and supply rules to ensure consistent procurement and identification.
• Type characteristics: Guidance tables that summarise distinguishing characteristics and common applications for each type (e.g., EP GC 21, PF CC variants). These tables are for selection guidance; detailed properties are in IEC 61212‑3.
• Edition changes: Second edition (2006) adds application/use and safety statements, updates the designation method, adds new types (EP GC 23, PF CC 24) and removes PF CP 24.

Applications

IEC 61212-1 applies to specification and procurement of insulating components used in:

• High‑mechanical-strength supports and spacers in electrical and electronic equipment
• Insulating sleeves, bushings and machined parts for power and low‑voltage apparatus
• Components requiring defined performance in humidity, temperature and electrical stress environments

Use this standard to:

• Specify product type and finish unambiguously in purchase orders
• Guide preliminary material selection before detailed testing/specification
• Ensure consistent labelling and interchangeability among suppliers

Who should use this standard

• Electrical design engineers and OEMs specifying insulating parts
• Manufacturers of laminated tubes and rods
• Procurement and quality teams writing material specs
• Test laboratories (in conjunction with IEC 61212‑2)
• Standards writers and regulatory bodies

Related standards

• IEC 61212-2:2006 - Methods of test for industrial laminated round tubes and rods
• IEC 61212-3 (all parts) - Specifications for individual materials
• ISO 472 - Plastics – Vocabulary

Safety note: selection should be based on actual application requirements and validated by appropriate testing; users are responsible for safe application and handling.