Overview
IEC TS 63117:2021 - General requirements for lighting systems – Safety is a system-level technical specification from IEC TC 34 that defines safety requirements to be applied when designing lighting systems. It covers safety aspects that arise from interconnecting multiple products (luminaires, sensors, controllers, human interfaces, etc.) into a lighting system and focuses on network-related electrical and functional safety. This document does not replace product safety standards, does not address cyber‑security/information security, and excludes systems in potentially explosive atmospheres (IEC TC 31). For emergency lighting, national/regional regulations should be consulted first.
Key Topics
- Network classification and insulation: Requirements for classifying lighting system networks (wired or wireless) and applying appropriate insulation between different types of circuits to avoid hazardous interactions.
- Electrical safety at system level:
- Protection against network overvoltage and leakage currents.
- Limits and management of network interface leakage current - designers must ensure the sum of leakage currents from all connected products remains within acceptable system limits.
- Guidance on protection from hazards caused by connecting different circuit types and avoiding cable overheating when networks provide limited powering.
- Voltage definitions and SELV: Definitions for low voltage (LV) and extra-low voltage (ELV), and the concept of SELV systems to maintain safety under normal and single-fault conditions.
- Functional safety:
- System-level requirements for safe behavior under communication errors, incorrect software responses, power restoration and foreseeable misuse.
- Guidance on restart behavior after power restoration, configuration integrity, software/communication robustness and remote operation.
- Scope exclusions and cross-references: Cyber-security excluded; for ICT‑based lighting systems refer to IEC 62949, and for HBES/BACS systems refer to IEC 63044-3.
Applications
Who uses IEC TS 63117:2021 and why:
- Lighting system designers and integrators - to ensure safe interconnection of products and to set system limits (e.g., accumulated leakage current, insulation boundaries).
- Lighting manufacturers and specifiers - to provide product documentation (network touch current) that enables safe system design.
- Electrical engineers, consultants and facility managers - to assess risks in smart/building automation lighting, tunnel lighting, and other installations where lighting is networked and safety-relevant.
- Regulatory bodies and testing organizations - to reference recommended system-level safety practices.
Practical uses include specifying safe network architectures for commercial buildings, smart lighting projects, and safety-critical installations where lighting state affects occupant safety (e.g., tunnels).
Related standards
- IEC 62949 - safety for equipment connected to ICT networks (referenced for ICT-based lighting)
- IEC 63044-3 - HBES/BACS electrical safety requirements
- IEC 60364-4-44, IEC 60664-1, IEC 62504 - related installation, insulation and LED terminology guidance
Keywords: IEC TS 63117:2021, lighting systems safety, lighting system standard, network leakage current, functional safety lighting, HBES/BACS, ICT network lighting.