IEC 61347-2-1:2024

Overview

IEC 61347-2-1:2024 - "Controlgear for electric light sources - Safety - Part 2-1: Particular requirements - Starting devices (other than glow starters)" - is the 2024 second edition of the IEC safety standard for starting devices used with fluorescent and other discharge lamps. It covers safety requirements for starters (excluding glow starters and ignitors) intended for use on AC supplies up to 1 000 V, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and for devices that produce starting pulses not greater than 100 kV. This edition is a technical revision that replaces the 2000 edition and its 2005/2013 amendments.

Key topics and technical requirements

This standard defines the specific safety and test requirements applicable to starting devices and supplements the general requirements of IEC 61347‑1. Major technical topics include:

• Scope and classification of starting devices for discharge lamps
• Marking and information requirements (durability and legibility)
• Terminals, earthing and protection against accidental contact with live parts
• Moisture resistance, insulation and electric strength testing
• Thermal endurance (windings of ballasts where applicable) and heating of built‑in/independent starting devices during normal and abnormal operation
• Fault condition tests, mechanical strength and construction requirements
• Pulse voltage considerations relevant to ignitors (measurement and limits)
• Creepage and clearance, screws/current-carrying parts, resistance to heat, fire, tracking and corrosion
• Normative and informative annexes covering mechanical testing, sphere‑gap measurement precautions and more onerous requirement schedules

Significant editorial/technical updates in 2024:

• Updated normative references (with dated references where appropriate)
• Clarified sample item numbering
• Clause numbering aligned with IEC 61347‑1
• Renumbering of Clauses 15 and 16

Practical applications

IEC 61347-2-1:2024 is used to:

• Design and validate safe starting devices for fluorescent and other discharge lighting
• Define test programs and acceptance criteria for product safety testing
• Support technical documentation for conformity assessment and regulatory submissions
• Guide manufacturers on marking, construction and environmental durability requirements

Who should use this standard

• Product designers and R&D teams for lamp controlgear and starters
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing safety testing
• Compliance engineers and technical writers preparing declarations and technical files
• Procurement and specification teams selecting compliant starting devices for lighting systems

Related standards

• IEC 61347‑1 (general requirements for controlgear)
• Lamp and ballast standards referenced: IEC 60081, 60188, 60192, 60662, 60901, 61167, 61195, 61199
• Other parts of IEC 61347 series: IEC 61347‑2‑8, IEC 61347‑2‑9

Keywords: IEC 61347-2-1:2024, starting devices, controlgear safety, fluorescent lamps, discharge lamps, starting pulses ≤100 kV, AC supplies up to 1000 V.