What do you know about IEC 61482 Certification?
Personnel is encouraged to wear arc authorized protective apparel when there is a risk of being exposed to an electric arc. The general standard for protective gear against the thermal arc dangers of an electric arc is IEC 61482-2. The IEC 61482-2 standard also addresses several areas of clothing design. This is a requirement for marketing arc flash protection clothing in the European Union.
Garments that satisfy all of the IEC 61482-2 standards should be labeled with the IEC 61482-2 symbol as well as the degree of protection they provide.
What does the IEC 61482 standard entail?
Protective textiles that guard against fire are subjected to testing in order to assess their quality under this standard. Because the fabric may have to perform under comparable conditions, these testing are largely thermal and electrical. Short circuits and fires are regular occurrences in the workplace and at home.
Multiple testing has been performed to assure that these textiles will not fail when they are most needed. When this fireproof fabric is put through these tests, its limits become clear, allowing us to decide whether it is suitable for both fire and electric protection. There would be no check and balance if these standards did not exist because people would cut corners to acquire inexpensive textiles that were not safe to use. In a nutshell, these materials save lives, and without the IEC 61482 Certificate, distinguishing between good and poor fabrics might be difficult.
IEC 61482-2
IEC Standard covering Protective Clothing against Thermal Arc Hazards of an electric arc. This standard also covers various aspects of the garment design.
IEC 61482-2 includes two methods for testing Protective Clothing and Materials, Garments can be certified according to both test methods or one of them.
EN IEC 61482-1-1 Open Arc Test Method (ATPV test and garment test)
- Test cradle for Open Are Test
Thermal Resistance:
Determines the Arc Rating (ATPV or EBT50) of flame-resistant material or clothing The Arc Rating is expressed in cal/cm² (or small calories of heat energy per square centimeter).
EN 61482-1-2 Box Test Method (Fabric classification and garment test)
- Box ready for testing
- Box after test
- The object of test afterward
Arc Protection Classes: Determines the Arc Protection Class Rating of the material or clothing by using a constrained and directed arc. Class 1- Protection against electricity are 4kA (168 kJ) Class 2-Protection against electric are 7k6A 1320
During an arc explosion, the electrodes’ radiation, flames, and metal droplets contact the fabric of the clothing being worn. An electric arc’s temperature can reach thousands of degrees, which is extremely hot. To prevent second-degree burns, the fireproof fabric must provide adequate insulation and shielding to the wearer.
Two techniques for evaluating Protective Clothing and Materials are included in IEC 61482-2. Both or one of the test procedures can be used to certify garments.
The standard’s requirements
Fabric testing is carried out in the presence of flames. Direct touch with the cloth shows all of the fabric’s defects. The cloth must also protect the wearer’s skin. When buttons, zippers, and other similar fabric components are heated, they should not injure the body. Furthermore, if the zippers and buttons add to the risk, they should be constructed of fire-resistant and electrical-resistant materials. Under heat and electrical exposure, the flame retardant fabric should not melt.
To avoid burns, clothing manufactured from these textiles should cover the majority of exposed skin. During all procedures, two-part wear requires a 20-cm overlap between the jacket and the pants. Clothing materials can only be fire retardant. The material does not ignite or shrink, and during the testing phase of IEC 61482, no more than 5% shrinkage should occur.
Arc testing methods include the following:
- OPEN ARC TEST METHOD (IEC EN 61482-1-1)
The Open Arc Test Method is defined by IEC 61482-1-1. It calculates the garment’s Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV level). The key premise is that the garment’s ATPV must be greater than the estimated Arc Flash energy level.
The Arc Rating is measured in calories per square meter (Calories per centimeter square).
- METHOD OF BOX TESTING (IEC 61482-1-2)
The Box Test Method is defined by IEC 61482-1-2. It uses a restricted and directed arc to calculate the Arc Protection Class Rating of the material or garment
Class 1 provides 4kA protection against electric arcs (168 kJ)
7kA electric arc protection is provided by Class 2. (320 kJ)
It’s critical to make sure that all clothes have been thoroughly tested and meet all of the criteria of IEC 61482-2.
It is crucial to remember that the IEC 61482-2 standard does not address the risk of electric shock. IEC certificate can be used in conjunction with other standards that address similar risks.
In EN IEC 61482, proper heat transport is critical. The fabric’s defense is determined by the fabric’s heat transfer efficiency. Both ATPV and EBT can be tested on an individual or many layers of the chemical. When you test different layers, you obtain a better result than if you just test the content. This is owing to the insulating and safety properties of trapped air in the material.
