IEC 62873-3-1:2020

Overview

IEC 62873-3-1:2020 is an IEC product-specific technical standard that defines particular requirements for residual current operated circuit-breakers (RCDs) and other devices equipped with screwless-type terminals for external copper conductors. This second edition updates the 2016 version and expands the scope to cover screwless-type terminals for rated currents up to 40 A, primarily suitable for connecting unprepared copper conductors up to 10 mm² cross-section. The document is intended to be applied together with the applicable RCD product standard rather than used alone.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Requirements apply to devices with screwless-type terminals for currents ≤ 40 A and conductors up to 10 mm²; the standard may be referenced by a range of product standards beyond RCDs.
• Terminal types and definitions: Defines terms such as universal terminal, non-universal terminal, push-wire terminal, clamping unit, and unprepared conductor.
• Marking and product information: Specifies marking rules for universal and non‑universal terminals (e.g., “sol”, “r”, “f”), insulation stripping length, and maximum number of conductors clamped.
• Construction and design requirements: Covers terminal design, dimensions of connectable conductors, connectable cross-sectional areas, insertion and withdrawal procedures, and resistance to ageing.
• Testing and reliability: Includes mandatory tests for terminals such as mechanical strength, cycling tests, reliability of screwless systems and connections, and pull force testing (see Tables 1–4 for conductor sizes and test arrangements).
• Compatibility with product standards: Intended to be referenced by RCD product standards (e.g., IEC 61008, IEC 61009) and other device standards.

Significant technical changes in the 2020 edition:

• Scope extended to screwless-type terminals up to 40 A
• Scope broadened to address other devices in addition to RCDs
• Table updates to reflect rated currents up to 40 A
• Clause changes (8.1 and 9.1) to allow wider reference by other product standards

Practical applications

• Guidance for manufacturers designing RCDs, RCBOs or similar devices with screwless terminals
• Requirements for product test labs and certification bodies performing terminal reliability and mechanical tests
• Reference for standards writers integrating terminal requirements into other product standards
• Useful to design engineers and technical specifiers verifying connector compatibility with solid or stranded copper conductors and installation instructions

Who should use this standard

• Electrical equipment manufacturers and designers
• Compliance and regulatory teams
• Test laboratories and certification bodies
• Standards committees and product specifiers
• Installers seeking to understand marking and conductor preparation requirements

Related standards

• IEC 61008-1 (RCCBs)
• IEC 61009-1 (RCBOs)
• IEC 62873-2 (RCD vocabulary)
• Other parts of the IEC 62873 series

Keywords: IEC 62873-3-1:2020, screwless-type terminals, residual current operated circuit-breakers, RCDs, copper conductors, up to 40 A, terminal reliability, IEC 61008, IEC 61009.