IEC 60335-1 Household Appliance Safety Testing Overview

This IEC 60335-1 test equipment guide helps household appliance manufacturers, certification teams, CBTL laboratories
and procurement engineers identify typical instruments, fixtures and materials used for safety testing of household
and similar electrical appliances.
KingPo structures this page as a practical clause-based equipment selection guide. The checklist maps IEC 60335-1:2020
and IEC 60335-1:2020/AMD1:2025 test items to required testing and measuring equipment, with a reserved column for
recommended KingPo equipment categories and future product anchors.
This page is an equipment selection framework and website navigation guide. It is not a replacement for the official
IEC 60335-1 standard or IECEE documentation. Final compliance decisions should be based on official publications and
certification body requirements.
As of now, not all available test equipment and customized configurations are listed on our website. If you cannot find the equipment you need, KingPo can provide a complete IEC 60335-1 household appliance safety testing solution tailored to your specific requirements. Contact our technical team for a professional equipment proposal and quotation.
Standard Information
| Standard | IEC 60335-1:2020 + AMD1:2025 |
| Document Basis | IECEE OD-5003-F1:2025, Template Equipment List, Ed.1.4 |
| Product Scope | Household and similar electrical appliances |
| Testing Focus | Power input, access to live parts, heating, moisture resistance, leakage current, electric strength, abnormal operation, mechanical strength, supply cords, earthing, fire resistance and annex-specific tests |
| KingPo Page Purpose | Clause-based IEC 60335-1 test equipment selection and product mapping |
Version Note for IEC 60335-1:2020 and AMD1:2025
This page is prepared around IEC 60335-1:2020 and Amendment 1:2025 as the current reference direction for household
and similar electrical appliance safety testing. Previous editions may still appear in legacy certification projects,
but new laboratory equipment planning should normally follow the latest edition required by the certification body.
IEC 60335-1 Testing and Measuring Equipment Checklist
Use this checklist to identify typical instruments, fixtures and materials for IEC 60335-1 household appliance safety
testing. The final column is reserved for equipment mapping. Replace the equipment names with actual KingPo product
URLs when the corresponding product page is available.
| Clause | Measurement / Testing | Testing / Measuring Equipment or Material Needed | Recommended KingPo Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Relevant Clauses – General | All test specifications requiring a measurement for mechanical dimensions (size, length, thickness, etc. ) | Measuring device (electronic and/or mechanical) for relevant size, length, thickness, etc. | Mechanical dimension measuring tools |
| All test specifications requiring a measurement for time | Timer | Timer and timing measurement device | |
| 5 | General conditions for tests | Resistive-capacitive low pass filter with a -3 dB roll off frequency of 5 kHz ± 0,5 kHz | Resistive-capacitive low pass filter |
| 7 | Marking and instructions | Petroleum spirit | Marking durability petroleum spirit test materials |
| 8 | Protection against access to live parts | Test probe B, 13, 18 and 41 of IEC 61032, voltmeter, milliammeter, oscilloscope, force gauges, 2000 ohm non-inductive resistor | IEC 61032 test probes for access to live parts |
| 8 | Protection against access to live parts | Coulometer, energy meter | Coulometer and energy meter |
| 10 | Power input and current | Chronometer, Voltmeter, ammeter, wattmeter | Power input and current measurement setup |
| 11 | Heating | Temperature controlled room, Temperature Recorder, Thermocouples with diameter not exceeding 0,3 mm, blackened disks of copper or brass, 15 mm diameter and 1 mm thick, Test corners, Winding resistance measurement system, Probe for measurement of surface temperature | Temperature rise test system and winding resistance measurement setup |
| 12 | Charging of metal-ion batteries | Charging system: Heating/cooling cabinet, Temperature Recorder, Thermocouples with diameter not exceeding 0,3 mm, DC power source for charging to a predetermined state of charge for Li-ion cells or battery packs, multimeter, Equipment for current measurement and monitoring with an averaging period of 1 to 5s, Variable load(s) for discharging Li-ion cells or batteries at different C rates | Metal-ion battery charging and temperature monitoring setup |
| 13 | Leakage current and electric strength at operating temperature | Metal foil, Voltmeter, Leakage current meter, Isolation transformer, High voltage tester, Network (Fig.4 of IEC60990) | Leakage current meter and electric strength test system |
| 14 | Transient overvoltage | Impulse voltage test generator and monitor | Impulse voltage test generator and monitor |
| 15 | Moisture resistance | IP test equipment, Measurement beaker, Spray nozzle (for testing appliances that cannot be placed under the oscillating tube specified in IEC 60529) as appropriate according to the requirement of Part 2s (Only when the second numeral more than “0” is given) | IEC 60529 IP waterproof test chamber and spray nozzle test setup |
| 15 | Moisture resistance | NaCl, Rinsing agent | Moisture resistance rinsing and salt test materials |
| 15 | Moisture resistance | Humidity cabinet capable of (93 ± 3)%RH at selected temperature, High voltage tester | Humidity conditioning cabinet and high voltage tester |
| 16 | Leakage current and electric strength | Metal foil, Low impedance ammeter, HV test supply | Leakage current and electric strength test setup |
| 17 | Overload protection of transformers and associated circuits | Included in Clause 11 above | Transformer overload protection test support |
| 19 | Abnormal operation | Electrostatic discharge test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-2), Radiated field test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-3), Fast transient burst test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-4), Voltage surge test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-5), Injected current test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-6), Voltage dip and interruption test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-11), Mains signal test apparatus (IEC 61000-4-13) Other equipment as included in Clauses 11, 16 | Abnormal operation EMC immunity test setup |
| 19 | Abnormal operation | Shorting means with a resistance not to exceed 10 mΩ ± 2 mΩ; DC power source for charging to a predetermined state of charge for Li-ion cells or battery packs | Battery short-circuit and charging power source setup |
| 20 | Stability and mechanical hazards | Inclined plane, Inclinometer, masses, force gauges, test probe similar to test probe B of IEC 61032 with circular stop face 50 mm Ø, Test probe 18, other equipment as indicated in Clause 11 | Stability and mechanical hazard test setup |
| 21 | Mechanical strength | Spring hammer, Hardened steel pin, Force gauges; Free fall test apparatus (IEC 60068-2-31, Procedure 2) | IEC 60068-2-75 spring impact hammer for mechanical strength tests |
| 22 | Construction | Test rig for torque on pin supported appliance, Heating cabinet (70°C ±2°C), Test probe 11 of IEC 61032, Test fingernail (Figure 7), Force gauge, Plug discharge voltage decay measurement instrument with input impedance ≥ 100 MΩ, ≤ 25 pF | Plug discharge voltage decay tester for IEC 60335 construction tests |
| 22 | Construction | Pressure test apparatus | Pressure test apparatus |
| 22 | Construction | Automatic cord reel test apparatus | Automatic cord reel test apparatus |
| 22 | Construction | Oxygen bomb with pressure apparatus | Oxygen bomb pressure apparatus |
| 22 | Construction | Methylated spirits | Methylated spirits test material |
| 22 | Construction | Small parts cylinder in Figure 13 | Small parts cylinder |
| 23 | Internal wiring | Flexing test apparatus, High voltage tester, Metal foil | IEC 60335 internal wiring flexing tester |
| 24 | Components | Laboratory may or may not have facilities for testing to component standards. Certification by specialist laboratories is accepted for compliance | Component standard compliance evaluation support |
| 25 | Supply connection and external flexible cords | Flexing test apparatus, Cord anchorage force & torque tester | Power cord flexing test apparatus and IEC 60335-1 cord anchorage torque tester |
| 26 | Terminals for external conductors | Torque screwdriver | Torque screwdriver for external conductor terminals |
| 27 | Provision for earthing | Earth continuity tester, access to ISO2178 and ISO1463 testing | Earth continuity tester and coating thickness verification support |
| 28 | Screws and connections | Torque gauge | Torque gauge for screws and connections |
| 29 | Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation | Mechanical measurement tools, Force gauges, Rod or ball gauges, Proof tracking test apparatus | Creepage, clearance and proof tracking test apparatus |
| 30 | Resistance to heat and fire | Ball Pressure test apparatus, Glow wire & Needle flame test apparatus, Apparatus for low power circuit determination | Ball pressure test apparatus, glow-wire tester and needle flame test apparatus |
| 30 | Resistance to heat and fire | Horizontal and vertical burning test apparatus – ISO 9772 and ISO 9773 testing | Horizontal and vertical burning test apparatus |
| 31 | Resistance to rusting | Part 2 requirements | Rusting resistance test support according to Part 2 requirements |
| 32 | Radiation, toxicity and similar hazards | Optical radiation test equipment | Optical radiation test equipment |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Free-fall test apparatus (IEC 60068-2-31, procedure 1) | Battery-operated appliance free-fall test apparatus |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | DC power source for charging to a predetermined state of charge for Li-ion cells or battery packs(1) | Battery charging DC power source |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Temperature Recorder, Thermocouples with diameter not exceeding 0,3 mm | Battery thermal abuse tester for temperature-related battery safety tests |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Variable load(s) for discharging Li-ion cells or batteries at different C rates, Shorting means with a resistance not to exceed 10 mΩ ± 2 mΩ(1) | Battery discharge load and shorting means setup |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Apparatus designed to deliver 20; 30; 50; 100 ml ± 10 % of air at an initial pressure of 2 070 kPa ± 10 % through a (2,85 ± 0,05) mm diameter orifice, Pressure gauge | Battery low pressure test chamber and pressure test support |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Vibration tester Subclause 7.3.8.1 and mechanical shock tester Subclause 7.3.8.2 of IEC 62133-2:2017 Explosion proof chamber | Battery vibration and mechanical shock test system |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Flat rigid top plate (approx 100 mm by 250 mm) | Battery crush test chamber with flat plate fixture |
| Annex B | Battery-operated appliances, separable batteries and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances | Torque gauge (counterclockwise) | Counterclockwise torque gauge |
| Annex C | Ageing test on motors | See referenced clauses | Motor ageing test support according to referenced clauses |
| Annex D | Thermal motor protectors | See referenced clauses | Thermal motor protector test support according to referenced clauses |
| Annex E | Needle flame test | Needle flame test apparatus (IEC 60695-11-5) | IEC 60695-11-5 needle flame test apparatus |
| Annex F | Capacitors | Impulse voltage test apparatus, Endurance test apparatus (IEC 60384-14) | Capacitor impulse voltage and endurance test apparatus |
| Annex G | Safety isolating transformers | Part 2 requirements | Safety isolating transformer test support according to Part 2 requirements |
| Annex H | Switches | Endurance test apparatus (IEC 61058-1) | Switch endurance test apparatus |
| Annex I | Motors having basic insulation that is inadequate for rated voltage of appliance test | See referenced clauses | Motor insulation test support according to referenced clauses |
| Annex J | Coated printed circuit boards | Coated printed circuit boards test apparatus (IEC 60664-3) | Coated printed circuit board test apparatus |
| Annex N | Proof tracking test | Proof tracking test apparatus (IEC 60112) | IEC 60112 proof tracking test apparatus |
| Annex R | Software evaluation | Capability for Software evaluation | Software evaluation capability support |
| Annex T | UV-C radiation effect on non-metallic materials | Testing apparatus related to UV-C radiation | UV-C radiation effect test apparatus |
| Annex U | Evaluation for remote communication through public networks | Capability for evaluation of remote communication through public networks | Remote communication evaluation support |
Core IEC 60335-1 Test Equipment Categories
| Test Category | Typical KingPo Equipment Configuration |
|---|---|
| Electrical safety | Leakage current meter, high voltage tester, earth continuity tester, power input measurement system and IEC 60990 measuring networks. |
| Thermal and abnormal operation | Temperature recorder, thermocouples, winding resistance measurement system, heating cabinet, variable load and short-circuit test setup. |
| Mechanical strength and accessibility | IEC 61032 probes, spring hammer, hardened steel pin, force gauges, inclined plane, free-fall test apparatus and stability test tools. |
| Moisture, heat and fire | IP test equipment, spray nozzle, humidity cabinet, ball pressure test apparatus, glow-wire tester, needle flame tester and proof tracking tester. |
Engineering Selection Tips by KingPo for IEC 60335-1 Test Equipment
IEC 60335-1 test equipment selection should begin with the basic safety tests that apply to most household appliance
laboratories: access to live parts, power input and current, heating, leakage current, electric strength, abnormal
operation, mechanical strength, supply cord tests, earthing, creepage and clearance verification, and resistance to heat
and fire.
KingPo recommends planning IEC 60335-1 equipment as a modular laboratory system instead of isolated instruments.
A complete setup normally combines electrical safety testers, thermal measurement systems, mechanical fixtures, IP test
equipment, material fire test apparatus and appliance-specific fixtures required by the relevant IEC 60335-2 particular standard.
A common procurement mistake is buying the general IEC 60335-1 instruments without checking the applicable Part 2 standard.
For example, liquid heating appliances, personal care appliances, cooking appliances and battery-operated appliances may
require additional fixtures, endurance systems or abnormal-operation configurations beyond the general Part 1 checklist.
Related KingPo Standard Pages
Link this page to related KingPo standard pages after they are created. These links should point to standard guide pages,
while product links should be placed in the Recommended KingPo Equipment column above.
| Related Standard | Application | Link |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60335-2 Series | Particular requirements for specific household appliance categories | Planned Page |
| IEC 60529 | Ingress protection tests used for moisture resistance and enclosure protection | Planned Page |
| IEC 60695 Series | Glow-wire, needle flame, ball pressure and resistance to heat and fire tests | Planned Page |
| IEC 61032 | Test probes for protection against access to live parts and hazardous parts | Planned Page |
Related Applications
Household Appliance Safety Testing
Leakage Current and Electric Strength
Temperature Rise Testing
Cord Flexing and Cord Anchorage
Glow Wire and Ball Pressure Testing
IP Moisture Resistance Testing
Appliance Laboratory Setup
FAQ: IEC 60335-1 Test Equipment
What is IEC 60335-1 test equipment used for?
IEC 60335-1 test equipment is used for safety evaluation of household and similar electrical appliances. Typical tests
include access to live parts, power input, heating, leakage current, electric strength, moisture resistance, abnormal
operation, mechanical strength, supply cord testing, earthing and resistance to heat and fire.
How should a laboratory select IEC 60335-1 test equipment?
Laboratories should first define the appliance category, rated supply, applicable IEC 60335-2 particular standard, test
volume and automation needs. KingPo can help map the general IEC 60335-1 checklist to appliance-specific fixtures and
complete laboratory configurations.
Is IEC 60335-1 enough for appliance certification testing?
IEC 60335-1 provides general safety requirements, but most household appliances also require the relevant IEC 60335-2
particular standard. Equipment selection should therefore include both general Part 1 instruments and appliance-specific
test fixtures from the applicable Part 2 standard.
What equipment is required for leakage current and electric strength tests?
The typical setup includes metal foil, a leakage current meter or low-impedance ammeter, isolation transformer, high
voltage tester and measuring network where required. The exact configuration should follow the applicable clause and
certification body interpretation.
What test equipment is used for resistance to heat and fire?
Resistance to heat and fire tests may require a ball pressure test apparatus, glow-wire test apparatus, needle flame test
apparatus, low-power circuit determination apparatus and, where applicable, horizontal and vertical burning test equipment.
Can KingPo provide a complete IEC 60335 household appliance test setup?
Yes. KingPo supports clause-based equipment planning for IEC 60335-1 and related IEC 60335-2 appliance standards,
including electrical safety instruments, environmental chambers, mechanical fixtures, fire test apparatus and customized
appliance endurance test systems.
Need Help Building an IEC 60335-1 Household Appliance Test Equipment Setup?
KingPo supports laboratories and manufacturers with IEC 60335-1 test equipment selection, appliance-specific fixture
planning and complete household electrical appliance safety test system configuration according to project requirements.