IEC 63522-31:2025

Overview

IEC 63522-31:2025 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines a standardized test method for evaluating the magnetic remanence in electrical relays with DC coils. Magnetic remanence refers to the residual magnetic effect remaining in a relay’s magnetic circuit after energization, potentially affecting relay performance. This part of IEC 63522 focuses on ensuring that relays maintain reliable operation under conditions encountered during transportation, storage, and normal use.

This standard applies to a wide range of electrical relays, including electromechanical relays, reed relays, solid state relays, time relays, and hybrid technologies. By specifying test procedures and evaluation criteria, IEC 63522-31:2025 helps manufacturers and testers assess a relay’s capacity to perform consistently despite the influence of magnetic remanence, increasing product reliability and safety.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  The document applies to monostable relays energized by direct current (DC) coils and is designed to measure how residual magnetism affects relay operation over repeated cycles.

• Standardized Test Procedure
  The test sequence involves saturating the relay coil with current, then reducing it and measuring the relay’s operate values in both forward and reverse polarities. This cycle detects the remanence effect through a calculated remanence rate, expressed as a percentage difference between operate values.

• Test Conditions and Parameters
  Key parameters such as forward saturate value (FSV), reverse saturate value (RSV), actual operate value (AOV), and duration of energization are defined to ensure consistent and reproducible testing. External magnetic fields during testing must be controlled or limited according to referenced standards like IEC 63522-25.

• Acceptance Criteria
  The remanence rate must not exceed a specified limit to pass the test. Detailed test reports must document all conditions, measurements, and outcomes to enable verification and repeatability.

• Related Terminology
  Definitions of essential terms such as actual operate value, forward saturate value, and reverse saturate value are outlined, ensuring clarity for test practitioners and manufacturers.

Applications

• Quality Control in Relay Manufacturing
  IEC 63522-31:2025 provides a rigorous framework to evaluate residual magnetic effects, which helps manufacturers validate relay designs and production quality.

• Reliability Assurance in Electrical Systems
  By investigating magnetic remanence, this standard supports the development of relays that remain reliable in various operational environments, minimizing failures in power systems, automation, and control applications.

• Improving Performance of DC Coil Relays
  The test method aids in detecting magnetic retention that could impede relay switching performance, particularly critical in safety and mission-critical electrical operations.

• Support for Product Certification and Compliance
  Adherence to this standard facilitates compliance with international safety and performance expectations, essential for global market access.

Related Standards

• IEC 63522-0: General and Guidance for Electrical Relays Tests
  Provides the foundational terms, definitions, and common procedures referenced throughout IEC 63522 series.

• IEC 63522-25: Magnetic Interference Test for Electrical Relays
  Describes magnetic interference test conditions, supporting accurate evaluation of external magnetic field influences during remanence testing.

• IEC 61810-1: Electromechanical Elementary Relays – General and Safety Requirements
  Covers general requirements relevant when testing electromechanical relays, complementing the remanence-specific tests.

Practical Value

Implementing IEC 63522-31:2025 enables engineers, manufacturers, and testing laboratories to:

• Ensure relay functionality is unimpaired by residual magnetism after exposure to normal operational cycles.
• Minimize emergency failures caused by unintended magnetic retention in DC coil relays.
• Optimize relay designs for better magnetic circuit performance.
• Maintain product consistency and assure end-users of device reliability under transportation and storage stresses.
• Produce verifiable test documentation meeting international compliance and certification standards.

By adopting this standard, the electrical relay industry can enhance product trustworthiness and operational safety worldwide through consistent remanence assessment and mitigation.