IEC TR 62368-2:2015

Overview - IEC TR 62368-2:2015 (Explanatory information related to IEC 62368-1)

IEC TR 62368-2:2015 is an informative Technical Report published by the IEC that provides explanatory material and background rationale for IEC 62368-1 (the safety standard for audio/video, information and communication technology equipment). This second edition (2015) updates the 2011 TR to reflect changes made in IEC 62368-1:2014. It clarifies selected subclauses, explains intent and rationale, and helps readers interpret risk-based requirements - but it is informative only; if a conflict exists, IEC 62368-1 prevails.

Key topics and technical clarifications

• Principles of the product safety standard: Explains the standard’s risk-reduction philosophy and the priority of measures (inherently safe design, safeguards, then information to users).
• Hierarchy of safeguards: Maps ISO/IEC Guide 51 principles to IEC 62368-1 terms (e.g., class‑1 energy limiting, equipment and installation safeguards, behavioral/instructional safeguards).
• Service and skilled-person considerations: Clarifies when equipment safeguards are required during maintenance or servicing to protect skilled persons from involuntary reactions or nearby class‑3 energy sources.
• Normative references and transition guidance: Discusses how referenced documents are to be used and the importance of transition periods for adoption by test houses and manufacturers.
• Terms and definitions: Provides rationale for modified or clarified definitions (for example, use of the term “safeguard” instead of “protection”; refinements to insulation, restricted access area, instructed/skilled person and reasonably foreseeable misuse).
• Scope boundaries: Notes exclusions such as functional safety (covered by IEC 61508) and clarifies applicability to computers that may control safety systems.

Practical applications - who uses IEC TR 62368-2

• Manufacturers and product designers - to understand the rationale behind IEC 62368-1 requirements and apply appropriate design safeguards for A/V and ICT equipment.
• Compliance and test houses - for consistent interpretation of clauses and guidance on normative references and transition timing.
• Safety engineers and technical authors - to draft instructions, service policies and safeguard implementations aligned with the standard’s intent.
• Certification bodies and regulators - to interpret informative guidance while relying on the normative IEC 62368-1 for certification decisions.

Related standards and references

• IEC 62368-1 (normative standard for A/V, ICT equipment safety)
• ISO/IEC Guide 51 (risk reduction hierarchy)
• IEC 60050 (electrotechnical vocabulary)
• IEC 60664-1 (insulation coordination)
• IEC 61508 (functional safety - out of scope for this TR)

Keywords: IEC TR 62368-2, IEC 62368-1, audio/video information and communication technology, A/V equipment safety, safeguards, product safety standard, risk-based standard, compliance guidance.