IEC 60335-2-81:2024

Overview

IEC 60335-2-81:2024 - "Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2‑81: Particular requirements for foot warmers and heating mats" specifies safety requirements for electrically powered foot warmers and heating mats for household and similar use. It covers appliances with a rated voltage up to 250 V (including DC) and battery‑operated designs. This fourth edition (2024) is a technical revision that replaces the 2015 edition and its amendments and is intended to be used together with IEC 60335‑1:2020 (general requirements).

Key technical topics and requirements

The standard addresses hazards commonly associated with foot warmers and heating mats and contains detailed test and construction requirements, including:

• Heating and temperature limits - requirements and tests for internal and external surface temperatures to prevent burns and fire risks.
• Leakage current and electric strength - measurement methods at operating temperature and during abnormal conditions.
• Mechanical strength, stability and construction - durability, flexing tests for heating elements and cords, resistance to mechanical hazards.
• Protection against access to live parts and insulation/clearance/creepage requirements.
• Battery‑operated appliances - normative Annex B covers battery and separable/detachable battery requirements and charging.
• Abnormal operation and endurance - tests for faults, overloads, and long‑term operation.
• Control units and accessibility - new tests (e.g., probe 19) for accessibility and a specific test for control units placed on surfaces.
• Marking, instructions and classification - clear user information, intended use limitations, and appliance classification.
• Additional topics covered in normative annexes - software evaluation (Annex R), UV‑C effects (Annex T), flame and material tests, transformers, motors and electronic circuits.

Significant updates in this edition include alignment with IEC 60335‑1:2020, conversion of some notes to normative requirements, added surface temperature tests, and alignment with related parts (for example IEC 60335‑2‑17).

Practical applications and users

This standard is essential for:

• Manufacturers and product designers - to design compliant foot warmers and heating mats and to select materials, controls and protective measures.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - for type testing, safety evaluation and issuing certifications (CE, CB or national approvals).
• Procurement engineers and compliance managers - to specify safety requirements in product specifications and supplier contracts.
• Regulators and safety authorities - to reference for market surveillance and national regulations.

Related standards

• IEC 60335‑1:2020 (General requirements) - to be used in conjunction with Part 2‑81.
• Exclusions / related parts: IEC 60335‑2‑17 (electric blankets/pads), IEC 60335‑2‑106 (electrically heated carpets), IEC 60335‑2‑71 (animal heating appliances).

Keywords: IEC 60335-2-81:2024, foot warmers, heating mats, electrical appliance safety, household appliance safety, leakage current, surface temperature testing, battery-operated appliances, IEC 60335.