IEC 60670-1 Test Equipment for Boxes and Enclosures Compliance
This IEC 60670-1 test equipment guide helps laboratories, manufacturers and procurement teams identify typical
instruments, fixtures and materials used for boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories in household and
similar fixed electrical installations.
KingPo structures this page as a practical equipment selection guide. The checklist maps IEC 60670-1 clauses
to marking durability, dimensional checks, protection against electric shock, earthing, constructional tests,
IP protection, insulation resistance, electric strength, mechanical strength, heat resistance, glow-wire testing,
tracking and corrosion resistance.
This page is an equipment selection framework and website navigation guide. It is not a replacement for the
official IEC 60670-1 standard or IECEE documentation. Final compliance decisions should be based on official
publications and certification body requirements.
Standard Information
| Standard | IEC 60670-1:2015, Edition 2.0 |
| Reference Scope | Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations |
| Testing Focus | Marking, dimensions, electric shock protection, earthing, IP protection, insulation, mechanical strength, heat, fire, tracking and corrosion resistance |
| KingPo Page Purpose | Clause-based IEC 60670-1 test equipment selection and product mapping |
IEC 60670-1 Testing and Measuring Equipment Checklist
Use this checklist to identify typical instruments, fixtures and materials for IEC 60670-1 test items.
The final column is reserved for equipment mapping. Replace the placeholder equipment text with actual
KingPo product URLs when the corresponding product page is available.
| Clause | Measurement / Testing | Testing / Measuring Equipment or Material Needed | Recommended KingPo Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Indelibility of marking | Piece of cloth, water and petroleum spirit as specified in the standard note. | Marking durability test materials |
| 9 | Checking of dimensions | Calliper, micrometer and gauges where standard sheets exist. | Dimensional inspection tools and gauges |
| 10 | Protection against electric shock | IPXXB jointed test finger according to IEC 60529; test probe 11 according to IEC 61032; push dynamometer and electric contact indicator. | Jointed test finger and force gauge set |
| 11.1 | Voltage drop and resistance in the earthing circuit | Apparatus deriving current from an AC source with no-load voltage not exceeding 12 V and current of 25 ± 1 A; measuring probe. | Protective earthing resistance test setup |
| 11.2 | Test on earthing strap | Heating cabinet, test strap, torque screwdriver or spanner, 45 N load and stopwatch. | Earthing strap heating and torque test setup |
| 12.2.1 12.2.2 12.2.3 12.2.4 |
Verification of non-removal/removal of lids, covers or cover-plates fixed without screws | Test probe A according to IEC 61032; loads of 10 N, 20 N, 40 N, 80 N and 120 N; hard material sheet and stopwatch. | Cover retention force test fixture |
| 12.1.2.3 | Verification of the outline of lids, covers and cover-plates fixed without screws | Gauge for the verification of the outline of lids, covers or cover-plates. | Lid and cover outline verification gauge |
| 12.1.2.4 | Verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers | Gauge for verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers; push dynamometer 1 ± 0.2 N. | Groove and reverse taper verification gauge |
| 12.3 | Size of drain-holes | Slide calliper or appropriate probe. | Drain hole measurement tools |
| 12.4 | Insulation surroundings of metal parts of internal fixing means | Slide calliper and appropriate micrometer. | Insulation clearance measurement tools |
| 12.5 12.6 |
Inlet openings for conduit entries | Conduit samples in accordance with IEC 60423 or IEC 60981; slide calliper and micrometer. | Conduit entry dimensional test tools |
| 12.7 12.8 |
Test of the cable anchorage | Cable anchorage apparatus, torque tools, loads, torque test apparatus, stopwatch and slide calliper. | Cable anchorage and torque test apparatus |
| 12.9.2 | Knock-out retention | 6 mm diameter mandrel with flat end, 30 ± 1 N load and stopwatch. | Knock-out retention test fixture |
| 12.9.3 12.9.4 |
Knock-out removal | Refrigerator adjustable to -5 ºC, -15 ºC or -25 ºC; stopwatch. | Low-temperature knock-out removal setup |
| 12.10 | Torque test of screw fixing means for covers and accessories | Slide calliper and screwdriver or spanner with torque meter. | Screw fixing torque test tools |
| 12.11 | Verification of fixing means for boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.7.1 | Plywood sheet, lever according to the specified figure, dynamometer, stopwatch and slide calliper. | Fixing means verification test fixture |
| 12.13.2 | Verification of fixing means for mounting to a wood structural member of a wall | 45 x 90 mm wood structural member, dynamometer, stopwatch and movement measurement apparatus. | Wood wall mounting strength test setup |
| 12.13.3 | Verification of fixing means for mounting to a wood structural member of a ceiling | 35 x 180 mm wood structural member, dynamometer, stopwatch and deflection measurement apparatus. | Wood ceiling mounting strength test setup |
| 12.13.4 | Verification of fixing means for mounting to a steel-stud structural member of a wall | Steel-stud structural member, dynamometer, stopwatch and deflection measurement apparatus. | Steel-stud mounting strength test setup |
| 12.13.5 12.13.6 |
Measurement of internal volume of boxes and enclosures | Flat transparent plate, graduated cylinder or measuring flask. | Internal volume measurement tools |
| 12.14 | Test on cable glands | Metal rods, spanner or suitable tool with torque meter and stopwatch. | Cable gland torque test tools |
| 12.15 12.16 |
Test for boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.3.4 and conical spouts as in 7.3.6 | Conduits of minimum nominal size according to IEC 60423 or IEC 60981; dynamometer and stopwatch. | Conduit and conical spout force test setup |
| 13.1 | Ageing test for insulating and composite boxes and enclosures, seals, grommets and replaceable membranes | Cylindrical metal rods, torque tools and heating cabinet. | Ageing test setup for boxes and membranes |
| 13.1 | Test applicable to all grommets, replaceable and non-replaceable membranes | Heating cabinet, test probe 11 according to IEC 61032, push dynamometer and stopwatch. | Grommet and membrane test setup |
| 13.1 | Test applicable to grommets and entry membranes in inlet openings | Refrigerator adjustable to -15 ºC or -25 ºC and stopwatch. | Low-temperature membrane test setup |
| 13.2 | Protection against ingress of solid objects IP2X to IP6X | Slide calliper, torque tools, electric contact indicator, rigid spheres, jointed test finger, steel rods, test wires and dust chamber according to IEC 60529. | IEC 60529 IP2X to IP6X dust and probe test equipment |
| 13.3 | Protection against harmful ingress of water IPX1 to IPX8 | Slide calliper, torque tools, test wall, absorbent paper, drip box, oscillating tube or spray nozzle, water jet nozzles, immersion tank and voltage test equipment. | IEC 60529 IPX1 to IPX8 water ingress test equipment |
| 14.1 | Humidity treatment | Humidity chamber with 91% to 95% RH and temperature range of 20 to 30 ± 1 ºC. | Humidity conditioning chamber |
| 14.2 | Insulation resistance | DC source of 500 V, measuring instruments, metal foil and stopwatch. | Insulation resistance test equipment |
| 14.3 | Electric strength test | Adjustable high voltage test equipment up to 5250 V, output current capability, metal foil and stopwatch. | Electric strength test equipment |
| 15.2 | Impact test for non-metallic boxes and enclosures intended for cast concrete | Vertical hammer test apparatus or spring hammer according to IEC 60068-2-75; refrigerator adjustable to -5 ± 2 ºC, -15 ± 2 ºC or -25 ± 2 ºC. | Low-temperature impact test apparatus |
| 15.3 | Compression test for non-metallic boxes and enclosures intended for cast concrete | Heating cabinet adjustable to 90 ± 5 ºC, flat hardwood plates, 500 ± 5 N load and stopwatch. | Compression test apparatus |
| 15.4 | Impact test on accessible boxes, enclosures and parts after completion of building process | Pendulum hammer or spring hammer according to IEC 60068-2-75, plywood mounting block, mounting support, tape measure or measurement rod. | Pendulum hammer and spring hammer impact tester |
| 15.5 | Compression test for rubber enclosures | Plywood sheet, load from 50 N to 1000 N and stopwatch. | Rubber enclosure compression test setup |
| 16.1 | Ball-pressure test on insulating material retaining current-carrying or earthing parts | Ball-pressure test apparatus according to IEC 60695-10-2, heating cabinet 125 ± 2 °C, stopwatch and impression measurement device. | Ball pressure test apparatus |
| 16.2 | Ball-pressure test on other insulating parts | Same test setup as clause 16.1, with heating cabinet adjustable to 70 ± 2 ºC. | Ball pressure test apparatus |
| 16.3 | Ball-pressure test on flush-mounted insulating enclosures | Same test setup as clause 16.2, with heating cabinet adjustable to 90 ± 2 ºC. | Ball pressure test apparatus |
| 16.3.1 16.3.2 |
Mechanical strength test at high temperature for insulating boxes and enclosures | Rigid crossbar, torque tools, total 180 N load, heating cabinet, stopwatch and slide calliper. | High-temperature mechanical strength test setup |
| 17 | Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound | Relevant measuring equipment according to the applicable part of IEC 60670 series. | Creepage and clearance measurement tools |
| 18 | Glow-wire test | Glow-wire test apparatus according to IEC 60695-2-10, with pinewood board, tissue paper and stopwatch. | Glow wire test apparatus |
| 19 | Resistance to tracking | Tracking test apparatus according to IEC 60112. | Tracking index tester |
| 20 | Resistance to corrosion | Suitable degreasing agent, ammonium chloride, humidity chamber saturated with moisture, heating cabinet and stopwatch. | Corrosion and humidity resistance test setup |
Engineering Selection Tips by KingPo for IEC 60670-1 Test Equipment
IEC 60670-1 test equipment selection should not be based only on one clause number. Boxes and enclosures can require
a coordinated test setup covering dimensional measurement, probe access, earthing continuity, cable anchorage,
ageing, ingress protection, insulation resistance, electric strength, mechanical strength, heat resistance and
material safety tests.
KingPo recommends matching the equipment configuration with the enclosure type, installation method, IP rating,
material category, wall or ceiling mounting condition and expected laboratory throughput. For example, IP testing
requires the correct IEC 60529 water and dust apparatus, while mechanical strength testing requires appropriate
compression, impact, force and mounting fixtures.
A common procurement mistake is purchasing a single generic tester without considering the full IEC 60670-1 workflow.
KingPo supports clause-based equipment planning so that laboratories can combine dimensional gauges, test probes,
IP equipment, high-voltage testers, impact hammers, ball-pressure testers, glow-wire apparatus and tracking testers
into a practical boxes and enclosures compliance test setup.
Related KingPo Standard Pages
Link this page to related KingPo standard pages after they are created. These links should point to other KingPo
standard pages, not product pages. Product links should be placed in the Recommended KingPo Equipment column above.
| Related Standard | Application | Link |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60529 | IP protection against solid objects and water ingress | |
| IEC 61032 | Test probes for protection against electric shock and accessibility checks | |
| IEC 60068-2-75 | Impact hammer and pendulum hammer testing | |
| IEC 60695-2-10 | Glow-wire apparatus and abnormal heat/fire testing | |
| IEC 60112 | Tracking index testing for insulating materials |
Related Applications
Electrical Accessories Safety Testing
IP Protection Testing
Cable Anchorage Testing
Impact and Compression Testing
Ball Pressure Testing
Glow-Wire Testing
Tracking Resistance Testing
Corrosion Resistance Testing
FAQ: IEC 60670-1 Test Equipment
What is IEC 60670-1 test equipment used for?
IEC 60670-1 test equipment is used to evaluate boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories, including marking
durability, dimensional checks, electric shock protection, earthing, constructional requirements, IP protection,
insulation resistance, electric strength, mechanical strength, heat resistance, tracking and corrosion resistance.
How does KingPo help select IEC 60670-1 test equipment?
KingPo maps IEC 60670-1 clauses to practical equipment categories, helping laboratories plan complete setups that
include gauges, force fixtures, IP test systems, high-voltage testers, impact equipment, ball-pressure testers,
glow-wire apparatus and tracking testers.
Which IEC 60670-1 clauses are commonly related to IP testing?
Clauses 13.2 and 13.3 are commonly related to ingress protection testing. They reference solid object protection
such as IP2X to IP6X and water ingress protection such as IPX1 to IPX8.
What equipment is used for IEC 60670-1 mechanical strength testing?
Mechanical strength testing can require vertical hammers, spring hammers, pendulum hammers, compression fixtures,
loads, refrigerators, heating cabinets, mounting blocks and measurement tools, depending on the enclosure type and
clause requirement.
What equipment is required for heat and fire resistance testing?
Heat and fire resistance testing commonly uses ball-pressure test apparatus, heating cabinets, glow-wire test
apparatus, pinewood board, tissue paper and timing devices. KingPo can help map these instruments to the required
IEC 60670-1 clauses.
Can the Recommended KingPo Equipment column be customized?
Yes. The final column is designed for product anchors. You can replace the placeholder equipment names with actual
KingPo product links according to the product pages available on your website.
Is this page a replacement for the official IEC 60670-1 standard?
No. This page is an equipment selection guide. Users should refer to the official IEC 60670-1 standard, IECEE
documents and certification body requirements for final compliance interpretation.
Need Help Building an IEC 60670-1 Test Equipment Setup?
KingPo supports laboratories and manufacturers with IEC 60670-1 test equipment selection, fixture configuration
and customized boxes and enclosures safety test systems according to project requirements.
