Overview
IEC TR 61916:2017 - "Electrical accessories - Harmonization of general rules" - is a Technical Report published by the IEC (Edition 4.0, 2017). It provides guidance on harmonized requirements and tests for electrical accessories covered by IEC TC 23 and its subcommittees. This edition updates and clarifies scope, several clauses (notably 6.3, Clause 7 and Clause 10) and adds Annex B with suggested temperatures for the Glow-Wire End-Product Test (GWEPT).
Key topics and technical requirements
The report consolidates general rules and recommendations used across accessory-specific standards. Major technical topics include:
- General requirements and standard conditions for operation (ambient temperature, altitude, humidity, magnetic field, orientation).
- Resistance to heat and resistance to abnormal heat and fire, including guidance on the glow-wire flammability test (IEC 60695-2-11) and selection of GWEPT temperatures (Annex B).
- Screws, current-carrying parts and connections - types of screws (thread-forming/cutting), torque guidance, and test criteria for electrical and mechanical connections.
- Insulation and clearances - dimensioning of clearances, creepage distances, solid and functional insulation with reference to the IEC 60664 family.
- Insulating material performance - tracking resistance (IEC 60112), flammability considerations, arc ignition guidance and material selection processes (Annex A).
- Mechanical strength - impact and free-fall guidance for accessory components.
- Resistance to UV, rusting, and durability of markings - tests and relevance for in-service performance.
- Legibility, durability and indelibility of marking, and criteria for tests to be applied in accessory standards.
Practical applications and users
IEC TR 61916 is a practical harmonization guide used by:
- Design engineers and product developers of switches, sockets, connectors and other electrical accessories - to align designs with harmonized general rules.
- Standards writers and technical committees (IEC TC 23) - to ensure accessory-specific standards apply consistent test methods and requirements.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to interpret and apply recommended tests (e.g., glow-wire, tracking index) when assessing accessories.
- Regulatory bodies and procurement teams - to reference harmonized criteria for safety, marking and environmental performance.
Using IEC TR 61916 helps reduce duplication across accessory standards, improves comparability between products, and supports safer, more reliable electrical accessories in global markets.
Related standards and references
- IEC 60695-2-11 (glow-wire flammability testing)
- IEC 60112 (tracking index test)
- IEC 60664 series (insulation coordination - clearances and creepage)
- Other accessory-specific IEC standards developed by IEC TC 23
Keywords: IEC TR 61916, electrical accessories, harmonization of general rules, glow-wire, GWEPT, insulation distances, tracking index, IEC TC 23, accessory testing.