IEC 61010: safety of laboratory and measurement equipment
IEC 61010-1 is the horizontal safety standard for electrical test and measurement equipment, industrial process-control equipment and laboratory equipment. Maintained by IEC Technical Committee 66, it has been in force since 1990, when edition 1 replaced IEC 60348 and IEC 60414. On 7 October 2026 the current catalogue version is still the consolidated edition 3.1 of January 2017 (edition 3 of 2010 plus Amendment 1 of 2016); no edition 4 has been published. Two facts surprise most readers: measurement categories CAT II to CAT IV are not in Part 1 at all but in the particular IEC 61010-2-030, and the European harmonised references cited under the Low Voltage Directive are, for several parts, older than the current IEC editions. This page sets out the dated history, the clause map of Part 1, the particulars and their cited EN versions, measurement categories as 2-030 actually defines them, and the claims the texts contradict.
Dated history
Section titled “Dated history”Dates are the publication dates shown in the IEC catalogue and in the Official Journal of the European Union.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | IEC 60348 edition 2, safety requirements for electronic measuring apparatus |
| 30 September 1990 | IEC 61010-1 edition 1.0 published; it replaces IEC 60348 and IEC 60414 |
| 13 February 2001 | Edition 1.0 withdrawn, replaced by edition 2.0 (2001) |
| 10 June 2010 | Edition 3.0 published: measuring-circuit requirements moved to IEC 61010-2-030, risk assessment clause added |
| December 2016 | Amendment 1 to edition 3 |
| 10 January 2017 | Consolidated edition 3.1 (IEC 61010-1:2010+AMD1:2016) |
| 12 January 2017 | IEC 61010-2-030 edition 2.0, later adopted in Europe as EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021 |
| 5 October 2018 | IEC 61010-2-101 edition 3.0 (IVD equipment) |
| March 2019 | Corrigendum 1 to Amendment 1, now included in the consolidated edition 3.1 |
| 2019 | EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019 and its corrigendum AC:2019-04 (European adoption of AMD1) |
| 22 December 2022 | IEC 61010-031 edition 3.0 (probe assemblies), replaces edition 2 (2015) and its Amendment 1 (2018) |
| 20 September 2023 | IEC 61010-2-030 edition 3.0, replaces edition 2 (2017) |
| 13 December 2023 | Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 published: the consolidated list of LVD harmonised standards |
| 24 October 2024 | IEC 61010-2-201 edition 3.0 (control equipment) |
| 22 July 2025 | Decision (EU) 2025/1488, the latest of four amendments to 2023/2723; none of the four changes a 61010 entry |
| 2026 | Stability date shown for IEC 61010-1 edition 3.1; a second amendment to edition 3 is in preparation |
A test report must cite the edition the cited EN is based on. A report to edition 1 (1990) or edition 2 (2001) of Part 1 does not support a presumption of conformity today, because the EN cited in the Official Journal is EN 61010-1:2010 with A1:2019.
What edition 3 changed
Section titled “What edition 3 changed”The IEC catalogue entry for edition 3.0 lists the significant changes from edition 2. They explain where requirements sit today.
| Change in edition 3 (2010) | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Scope extended to all locations of use | Professional and non-professional versions of the same product are both in scope |
| Testing and measuring circuit requirements (several subclauses and the whole former Clause 16) removed | They are now in IEC 61010-2-030, including measurement categories |
| Insulation requirements (6.7) rewritten | Clearances, creepage and solid insulation tables were restructured, with Annex K for cases outside 6.7 |
| Mechanical hazard requirements added (Clause 7) | Crushing gaps and access gaps for body parts are tabulated |
| Surface temperature limits (Clause 10) aligned on EN 563 | Touch temperature limits changed |
| Radiation clause (Clause 12) distinguishes intended and unintended emission | Lamp and laser sources are assessed differently |
| Reasonably foreseeable misuse and ergonomics added (new Clause 16) | Clause 16 now covers hazards resulting from application |
| New Clause 17 and informative Annex J on risk assessment | Hazards not covered by the standard are handled by risk assessment |
| New informative Annex E on reducing the pollution degree of a micro-environment | Enclosures and coatings can justify a lower pollution degree inside the product |
| New normative Annex H on conformal coatings | Coatings qualified for protection against pollution |
| New informative Annex I on working voltage of mains circuits | Line-to-neutral voltages for common supply systems |
Clause map of IEC 61010-1 edition 3.1
Section titled “Clause map of IEC 61010-1 edition 3.1”The table follows the table of contents of the consolidated edition 3.1.
| Clause | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scope and object, including environmental conditions (1.4) |
| 4 | Tests: sequence, reference test conditions, testing in single fault condition |
| 5 | Marking and documentation (Table 1 symbols, ratings, installation, operation, maintenance) |
| 6 | Protection against electric shock: accessible parts, limit values, protective bonding, double and reinforced insulation, protective impedance, insulation requirements (6.7), voltage tests (6.8), mains connection and disconnection |
| 7 | Protection against mechanical hazards |
| 8 | Resistance to mechanical stresses (impact energy levels and IK codes) |
| 9 | Protection against the spread of fire |
| 10 | Equipment temperature limits and resistance to heat |
| 11 | Protection against hazards from fluids and solid foreign objects |
| 12 | Protection against radiation, including laser sources, and against sonic and ultrasonic pressure |
| 13 | Protection against liberated gases and substances, explosion and implosion |
| 14 | Components and subassemblies |
| 15 | Protection by interlocks |
| 16 | Hazards resulting from application |
| 17 | Risk assessment |
| Annex B | Standard test fingers |
| Annex F | Routine tests (production line), with their own test voltages |
| Annex K | Insulation requirements not covered by 6.7: mains circuits of overvoltage category II above 300 V, III and IV |
Two consequences for design. The main body of 6.7 sizes insulation for mains circuits of overvoltage category II up to 300 V; anything above that, or in overvoltage category III or IV, goes to Annex K. And the routine tests of Annex F are separate from the type tests of Clause 6: interpretation sheet 1 (February 2013) confirms that the voltage tester requirement of 6.8.3.1 (at least 500 VA at full rated output) applies to type tests, not to routine-test testers.
The particulars and the EN versions cited under the LVD
Section titled “The particulars and the EN versions cited under the LVD”A particular is read together with Part 1 and adds, modifies, replaces or deletes clauses of it. The table lists the particulars cited in Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 with the exact reference, amendments included.
| Part | Scope | Reference cited in Decision (EU) 2023/2723 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General requirements | EN 61010-1:2010, EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019, EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019/AC:2019-04 |
| 2-010 | Laboratory equipment for the heating of materials | EN IEC 61010-2-010:2020 |
| 2-011 | Refrigerating equipment | EN IEC 61010-2-011:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-012 | Climatic and environmental testing and other temperature conditioning equipment | EN IEC 61010-2-012:2022 + A11:2022 |
| 2-020 | Laboratory centrifuges | EN 61010-2-020:2006 |
| 2-030 | Equipment having testing or measuring circuits | EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-032 | Hand-held and hand-manipulated current sensors for electrical test and measurement | EN IEC 61010-2-032:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-033 | Hand-held multimeters for domestic and professional use, capable of measuring mains voltage | EN IEC 61010-2-033:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-034 | Measurement equipment for insulation resistance and test equipment for electric strength | EN IEC 61010-2-034:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-040 | Sterilizers and washer-disinfectors used to treat medical materials | EN IEC 61010-2-040:2021 |
| 2-051 | Laboratory equipment for mixing and stirring | EN IEC 61010-2-051:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-061 | Laboratory atomic spectrometers with thermal atomization and ionization | EN IEC 61010-2-061:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-081 | Automatic and semi-automatic laboratory equipment for analysis and other purposes | EN IEC 61010-2-081:2020 |
| 2-091 | Cabinet X-ray systems | EN IEC 61010-2-091:2021 + A11:2021 |
| 2-130 | Equipment intended to be used in educational establishments by children | EN IEC 61010-2-130:2021 |
| 2-201 | Control equipment | EN IEC 61010-2-201:2018 |
| 2-202 | Electrically operated valve actuators | EN IEC 61010-2-202:2021 |
| 031 | Hand-held probe assemblies for electrical measurement and test | EN 61010-031:2015 |
Three gaps between the IEC catalogue and the Official Journal matter in practice:
- 2-030: the EN cited is based on IEC 61010-2-030:2017 (edition 2), while IEC published edition 3 on 20 September 2023. Edition 3 adds, among other changes, minimum voltage ratings for measuring terminals, clearances and creepage distances up to 3 000 V for unmated measuring terminals, and protection of measuring circuits against the spread of fire and arc flash.
- 031: the EN cited is the 2015 edition, while IEC 61010-031 edition 3 (22 December 2022) replaced edition 2 and its 2018 amendment. Edition 3 merged type C probe assemblies into type B and added Kelvin probes as a new type E.
- 2-201: the EN cited is EN IEC 61010-2-201:2018, while IEC published edition 3 on 24 October 2024 (new subclauses for SELV/PELV circuits, field-wiring insulation subclause deleted).
IEC 61010-2-101 (IVD medical equipment, edition 3 of 2018) is not in the LVD list. Annex II of Directive 2014/35/EU excludes electrical equipment for medical purposes, and IVD equipment is regulated by the IVDR.
Some particulars absorb others. IEC 61010-2-030:2023 states that all its relevant requirements are already included in IEC 61010-2-033:2023 (multimeters) and IEC 61010-2-034:2023 (insulation and electric strength testers), and that equipment within the scope of both 2-030 and 2-032 is covered by 2-032, except current sensors in combined equipment with protective bonding and automatic disconnection, where 2-030 and 2-032 are read together. IEC 61010-031 is a stand-alone standard, not a particular of Part 1.
Measurement categories: where they are and what they mean
Section titled “Measurement categories: where they are and what they mean”Measurement categories are defined in IEC 61010-2-030, not in Part 1. The 2023 edition defines MEASUREMENT CATEGORY (3.5.101) as the "classification of testing and measuring circuits according to the type of MAINS to which they are intended to be connected", and requires the markings "CAT II", "CAT III" or "CAT IV" (5.1.5.101.2).
| Marking | Typical point of connection (low-voltage installation) |
|---|---|
| CAT II | Circuits directly connected to utilisation points, for example socket outlets and appliance supply points |
| CAT III | The distribution part of the building installation, for example distribution boards and fixed wiring |
| CAT IV | The source of the low-voltage installation, for example the supply origin and the electricity meter |
| No category | Measuring circuits not intended for connection to mains: marked with the rated voltage to earth and, above the levels of 6.3.1, symbol 14 of Table 1 |
Rules from 2-030 that a design must meet:
- the nominal AC r.m.s. line-to-neutral or DC mains voltage being measured is marked for terminals rated for a measurement category, together with the category (5.1.5.101.1 and 5.1.5.101.2),
- the rated voltage of terminals intended for mains measurement must be equal to or higher than their rated line-to-neutral voltage,
- one set of terminals may carry several category and voltage pairs (for example a CAT III rating and a lower-voltage CAT IV rating), and the documentation must then state where the equipment may and may not be used,
- for circuits not rated for a category but that could be misused on mains, the documentation must warn against mains measurements and give a detailed rating including transient overvoltages.
The measurement category of a measuring terminal is not the same thing as the overvoltage category of Part 1, which applies to the mains supply circuit of the instrument itself (6.7 and Annex K). A bench instrument can have a mains inlet in overvoltage category II and measuring inputs rated CAT III.
Pollution degree
Section titled “Pollution degree”The pollution degree describes the expected contamination and condensation at the insulation. Together with the working voltage it sets the minimum clearances and creepage distances in the 6.7 and Annex K tables. Under the definitions of the insulation coordination standard IEC 60664-1, degree 1 means no pollution or only dry non-conductive pollution, degree 2 non-conductive pollution with temporary conductivity from condensation, degree 3 conductive pollution or dry pollution that becomes conductive through condensation, and degree 4 persistent conductivity from conductive dust, rain or snow.
IEC 61010-1 edition 3 adds two tools around it: the informative Annex E, which explains how an enclosure or other measure reduces the pollution degree of the micro-environment inside the product, and the normative Annex H, which qualifies conformal coatings for protection against pollution. The common error is choosing the degree for the test laboratory rather than the real installation: an industrial controller in a workshop with conductive dust needs the distances of the higher degree, or a documented micro-environment reduction under Annex E.
Protection against electric shock
Section titled “Protection against electric shock”Clause 6 requires protection in normal condition and in single fault condition. The primary means are enclosures and protective barriers, basic insulation and impedance (6.4). The additional means in case of single fault are protective bonding (6.5.2), supplementary and reinforced insulation (6.5.3), protective impedance (6.5.4), automatic disconnection of the supply (6.5.5) and current or voltage limiting devices (6.5.6). Equipment protected throughout by double or reinforced insulation carries the corresponding marking (5.1.7). Accessibility is determined with the standard test fingers of Annex B, not by the intention of the designer.
Relationship to the other horizontal standards
Section titled “Relationship to the other horizontal standards”| Standard | Scope | Boundary notes |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 61010-1 | Test and measurement, industrial process-control and laboratory equipment | Multimeters, oscilloscopes, laboratory power supplies, control equipment (2-201) |
| IEC 62368-1 | Audio video, information and communication technology equipment | See the IEC 62368-1 guide |
| IEC 60601-1 | Medical electrical equipment | See the IEC 60601-1 guide |
| IEC 60335 | Household and similar electrical appliances | See the EN 60335 guide |
The declared intended use in the product documentation decides the standard, not the internal technology. An oscilloscope with a processor and touchscreen remains test and measurement equipment. An IVD analyser falls under IEC 61010-2-101 technically, but under the IVDR legally in the EU. On a borderline product, the rationale belongs in the technical file and should be agreed with the test laboratory before the campaign.
Typical test campaign
Section titled “Typical test campaign”A campaign normally runs in a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the standard and follows the clause order of Part 1 and the applicable particular:
- documentation review: ratings, markings and Table 1 symbols, measurement category declarations, installation and operation instructions (Clause 5),
- accessibility and limit values: test fingers of Annex B, accessible voltages and currents in normal and single fault condition (6.2, 6.3),
- protective bonding for equipment that relies on it (6.5.2),
- voltage tests on insulation after humidity preconditioning (6.8),
- single fault testing of components and protective means (4.4),
- mechanical tests: mechanical hazards (Clause 7) and resistance to mechanical stresses (Clause 8),
- temperature and fire: surface temperatures (Clause 10) and spread of fire (Clause 9),
- particular-specific tests, for example those of 2-030 on measuring terminals or of 2-020 on centrifuges,
- report in the IECEE CB format when the result must support certifications in several countries.
For the CE sequence, see the CE tests page. For the list of LVD harmonised standards, see the CE standards page.
Claims the texts contradict
Section titled “Claims the texts contradict”| Common claim | What the text says |
|---|---|
| "IEC 61010-1 defines measurement categories CAT I to CAT IV" | Since edition 3 (2010), testing and measuring circuit requirements are in IEC 61010-2-030 (IEC catalogue, edition 3.0 change list). 2-030 allows only the markings CAT II, CAT III and CAT IV; other measuring circuits carry a rated voltage and symbol 14 |
| "IEC 61010-1 edition 4 was published in 2025" | The IEC catalogue lists edition 3.0 (2010) and consolidated edition 3.1 (2017) as current; the work in progress is an Amendment 2 to edition 3 |
| "The harmonised EN is EN 61010-1 edition 3.1" | Decision (EU) 2023/2723 cites EN 61010-1:2010 with A1:2019 and AC:2019-04. The European A1 is dated 2019 although IEC AMD1 is dated 2016 |
| "The latest IEC edition is the one that gives presumption of conformity" | The OJ cites EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021 (based on the 2017 IEC edition), EN 61010-031:2015 and EN IEC 61010-2-201:2018, while IEC published 2-030 ed. 3 in 2023, 031 ed. 3 in 2022 and 2-201 ed. 3 in 2024 |
| "IEC 61010-1 replaced IEC 348" (only) | The IEC catalogue says edition 1 (1990) replaces IEC 60348 and IEC 60414 |
| "A hand-held multimeter needs 2-030 on top of 2-033" | 2-030:2023 states that all its relevant requirements are included in 2-033:2023 |
| "61010-031 is one of the Part 2 particulars" | The IEC catalogue entry states that IEC 61010-031 is a stand-alone standard |
| "IVD analysers are CE marked under the LVD with 61010-2-101" | LVD Annex II excludes electrical equipment for medical purposes; 2-101 is not in the LVD list; IVD equipment falls under the IVDR |
| "Every measuring instrument is in LVD scope" | The LVD covers a voltage rating of 50 to 1 000 V AC or 75 to 1 500 V DC, and Annex II excludes electricity meters, which fall under the MID |
| "61010 uses Class III and the SELV diamond symbol" (claim made on an earlier version of this page) | Part 1 structures shock protection around primary and additional means (6.4, 6.5) and limit values of accessible parts (6.3); we found no Class III or SELV marking rule in the edition 3.1 clause list, so the earlier table was removed |
See also
Section titled “See also”- EN 60335: safety of household electrical appliances
- EN 60598: safety of LED and conventional luminaires
- EN 62471 and EN 60825: photobiological and laser safety
- IEC 60945: maritime navigation + radiocomm
- Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
- Measuring Instruments Directive 2014/32/EU
EN 61010-1 and the Low Voltage Directive
Section titled “EN 61010-1 and the Low Voltage Directive”In the European Union, the electrical safety of measurement, control and laboratory equipment in the voltage range of Directive 2014/35/EU is governed by that directive. The references cited in Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 (table above) are the harmonised standards that give presumption of conformity with the safety objectives of Annex I of the directive. The decision has been amended four times up to July 2025 (Decisions (EU) 2024/1198, 2024/2764, 2025/1457 and 2025/1488), and none of these amendments changed a 61010 entry.
The conformity assessment procedure under the LVD is module A, internal production control (Annex III): the manufacturer draws up the technical documentation, signs the EU declaration of conformity listing the EN references applied, and affixes the CE marking. No notified body is involved. Electromagnetic compatibility is a separate demonstration under Directive 2014/30/EU, usually with the EN 61326 series for measurement, control and laboratory equipment.
UL 61010-1 in the United States and CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 in Canada
Section titled “UL 61010-1 in the United States and CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 in Canada”In the United States, workplace electrical equipment is certified by an OSHA-recognised Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and the national adoption of the standard is UL 61010-1. In Canada, the adoption is CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1. Both include national differences from the IEC text, and UL and CSA versions of many particulars exist in parallel with the IEC ones. An IECEE CB report to IEC 61010-1 helps only if it covers those national differences. The FCC regulates radio-frequency emissions and spectrum use, not electrical safety.
Pitfalls observed in the field
Section titled “Pitfalls observed in the field”- Citing a superseded edition. A report to IEC 61010-1 edition 1 or 2 does not match the EN cited under the LVD.
- Marking "CAT I". The marking does not exist in 2-030; a circuit not rated for mains measurement needs a rated voltage, symbol 14 where applicable and a documentation warning.
- Assuming the newest IEC particular is harmonised. Check the exact reference in Decision (EU) 2023/2723 before fixing the test plan.
- Omitting the particular. Part 1 alone does not cover the measuring terminals of a multimeter (2-033), a current clamp (2-032), a centrifuge (2-020) or a programmable controller (2-201).
- Choosing the pollution degree for the laboratory. The real installation decides, unless the product creates a protected micro-environment (Annex E).
- Confusing safety and EMC. The LVD file does not demonstrate conformity with Directive 2014/30/EU.
- Ordering a US mark from a laboratory that is not an NRTL. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation does not by itself allow a laboratory to issue a mark recognised by OSHA.
Going further
Section titled “Going further”The terminology (measurement category, pollution degree, test finger) is in the glossary. For the regulatory sequence, see the CE harmonised standards page and the CE tests page. For the two other horizontal safety standards, see the IEC 62368-1 guide and the IEC 60601-1 guide.
Sources & references
- IEC 61010-1:2010+AMD1:2016 CSV (edition 3.1), Part 1: General requirements, catalogue entry, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/59769
- IEC 61010-1:2010 (edition 3.0), catalogue entry with the list of changes from edition 2, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/4279
- IEC 61010-1:1990 (edition 1.0), catalogue entry: replaces IEC 60348 and 60414, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/18830
- IEC 61010-2-030:2023 (edition 3.0), Part 2-030: equipment having testing or measuring circuits, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/75915
- IEC 61010-2-030:2017 (edition 2.0), basis of EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/31488
- IEC 61010-031:2022 (edition 3.0), hand-held and hand-manipulated probe assemblies, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/70272
- IEC 61010-2-201:2024 (edition 3.0), Part 2-201: control equipment, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/64909
- IEC 61010-2-101:2018 (edition 3.0), Part 2-101: in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical equipment, IEC webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/60197
- Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 on harmonised standards for electrical equipment (LVD), EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2723/oj
- Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1488 amending Decision (EU) 2023/2723, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/1488/oj
- Directive 2014/35/EU on Low Voltage equipment (LVD), EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj
- Low Voltage Directive (LVD), European Commission sector page, European Commission single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/low-voltage-directive-lvd_en
- UL 61010-1, Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use, Part 1 General Requirements, UL Standards www.shopulstandards.com/
Frequently asked questions
- What is the scope of IEC 61010-1?
- IEC 61010-1 specifies general safety requirements for three types of electrical equipment and their accessories, wherever they are intended to be used: electrical test and measurement equipment, electrical industrial process-control equipment, and electrical laboratory equipment. Since edition 3 (2010) the scope covers both professional and non-professional versions of these products. The current IEC catalogue version is the consolidated edition 3.1 of 10 January 2017 (IEC 61010-1:2010+AMD1:2016), which also includes the corrigendum 1 to Amendment 1 of March 2019. It is maintained by IEC TC 66.
- Has IEC 61010-1 edition 4 been published?
- No. On 7 October 2026 the IEC catalogue still lists edition 3.0 (2010) and the consolidated edition 3.1 (2017) as the current Part 1, with a stability date of 2026. The work in progress is a second amendment to edition 3 (published in Europe as the draft prA2 to EN 61010-1:2010), not a new edition. A test report cannot cite an AMD2 or an edition 4 that does not exist yet.
- Where are measurement categories CAT II, CAT III and CAT IV defined?
- Not in IEC 61010-1. Edition 3 (2010) removed the requirements for testing and measuring circuits, including the whole former Clause 16, from Part 1 and moved them into the particular standard IEC 61010-2-030. That part defines MEASUREMENT CATEGORY as the classification of testing and measuring circuits according to the type of mains to which they are intended to be connected, and requires the markings "CAT II", "CAT III" or "CAT IV". There is no CAT I marking: a measuring circuit that is not rated for a measurement category is marked with its rated voltage and symbol 14 of Table 1, and the documentation must warn against use on mains. The overvoltage categories in Part 1 are a different concept: they apply to the mains supply circuit of the equipment.
- Which IEC 61010 references are cited in the Official Journal under the LVD?
- Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 cites EN 61010-1:2010 with EN 61010-1:2010/A1:2019 and its corrigendum AC:2019-04, plus a set of particulars, among them EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021 with A11:2021, EN IEC 61010-2-032:2021, EN IEC 61010-2-033:2021, EN IEC 61010-2-034:2021, EN IEC 61010-2-201:2018 and EN 61010-031:2015. The four decisions that amended 2023/2723 up to July 2025 (2024/1198, 2024/2764, 2025/1457 and 2025/1488) did not touch any 61010 entry. Several cited EN versions are older than the current IEC editions, so the newest IEC edition is not automatically the one that gives presumption of conformity.
- How do the 61010-2-xxx particulars work with Part 1?
- Each particular is read in conjunction with IEC 61010-1 and states which clauses it adds, modifies, replaces or deletes; where a subclause of Part 1 is not mentioned, it applies as far as is reasonable. Some particulars absorb others: IEC 61010-2-030:2023 states that all its relevant requirements are already included in IEC 61010-2-033:2023 (hand-held multimeters) and IEC 61010-2-034:2023 (insulation resistance and electric strength testers), and that equipment in the scope of both 2-030 and 2-032 is covered by 2-032. IEC 61010-031 for probe assemblies is a stand-alone standard, not a Part 2 particular.
- How does IEC 61010 differ from IEC 62368-1 or IEC 60601-1?
- All three are horizontal electrical-safety standards with different scopes. IEC 62368-1 covers audio video, information and communication technology equipment. IEC 60601-1 covers medical electrical equipment. IEC 61010-1 covers test and measurement, industrial process-control and laboratory equipment. In vitro diagnostic equipment is covered by the particular IEC 61010-2-101, but in the EU it is regulated by the IVDR, not the LVD, because Annex II of Directive 2014/35/EU excludes electrical equipment for medical purposes. For household appliances the IEC 60335 family applies instead.
- How is IEC 61010-1 used for CE marking?
- The Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU applies to electrical equipment with a voltage rating between 50 and 1 000 V AC or between 75 and 1 500 V DC, except the equipment listed in its Annex II (which includes electricity meters and equipment for medical purposes). Applying the EN references cited in Decision (EU) 2023/2723 gives presumption of conformity with the safety objectives of the directive. The conformity assessment procedure is module A, internal production control: no notified body is involved. Electromagnetic compatibility is a separate obligation under Directive 2014/30/EU. For the broader CE context, see the CE standards page and the CE tests page.
- How is IEC 61010-1 used in the United States and Canada?
- In the United States the national adoption is UL 61010-1, and certification for the workplace market goes through an OSHA-recognised Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). In Canada the adoption is CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1. Both carry national differences from the IEC text, so an IECEE CB test report based on IEC 61010-1 has to address those differences before it supports a US or Canadian listing. The FCC does not regulate electrical safety.
- What are the most common errors when applying IEC 61010?
- Four recur. First, quoting CAT ratings as a Part 1 requirement, or marking "CAT I", when categories live in IEC 61010-2-030 and only CAT II, III and IV exist. Second, assuming the latest IEC edition of a particular is the harmonised one: the OJ cites EN IEC 61010-2-030:2021 while IEC published edition 3 in 2023, and EN 61010-031:2015 while IEC published edition 3 in 2022. Third, applying Part 1 alone without the relevant particular (2-030, 2-033, 2-201, 2-020 and so on). Fourth, choosing the pollution degree for the test laboratory instead of the real installation, which sets clearances and creepage distances too small.