IEC 61557-1-2024 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 61557-1-2024 — Electrical safety in low-voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC — Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures — Part 1: General requirements. This entry refers to IEC 61557-1:2019 with Amendment 1 published in 2024 (consolidated edition often cited as IEC 61557-1:2019+AMD1:2024), which updates the general requirements applicable to measuring and monitoring equipment used to assess protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems.

Abstract

IEC 61557-1 establishes general requirements, definitions and metrological principles for equipment used to test, measure or monitor protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems (nominal voltages up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC). The 2024 amendment provides updates and clarifications to align terminology, measurement uncertainty treatment, references for safety and EMC, and other normative references; the consolidated text is published as IEC 61557-1:2019/AMD1:2024.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 15 October 2024 (Amendment 1 published; consolidated edition commonly referenced as 2024).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20; 29.080.01; 29.240.01.
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 — IEC 61557-1:2019 with Amendment 1 (IEC 61557-1:2019/AMD1:2024), consolidated as IEC 61557-1:2019+AMD1:2024.
• Number of pages: Amendment document published as 5 pages (the base 2019 edition is published as 50 pages; consolidated or national/adopted publications may differ).

Scope

Specifies general requirements for measuring and monitoring equipment intended to test electrical safety and protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems with nominal voltages up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC. The part defines terms, performance and metrological requirements, marking and documentation expectations, and indicates where other parts of the IEC 61557 series apply or override the general requirements. The 2024 amendment updates normative references and other technical clarifications without changing the fundamental scope.

Key topics and requirements

• General definitions and alignment of terminology with IEC 60050.
• Measurement uncertainty and metrological requirements (alignment with GUM where applicable).
• Safety and EMC references and requirements for test equipment used in low-voltage systems.
• Marking, operating instructions and documentation expectations for measuring/monitoring equipment.
• Normative references and cross-references to other parts of IEC 61557 that set additional or deviating requirements for specific test functions.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of electrical test and measurement equipment, testing laboratories, certification bodies, electrical installers, utilities and safety inspectors to ensure test instruments meet internationally harmonised requirements when assessing protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems. It is also used by standards committees and regulators when adopting or referencing test-equipment requirements.

Related standards

Part 1 is the general part of the IEC 61557 series; related parts include (but are not limited to) IEC 61557-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13 and -14, each covering specific measurement functions (insulation, continuity, earth-fault loop, RCD testing, insulation monitoring devices, insulation fault location, power metering, machinery test equipment, etc.). National and regional adoptions (EN IEC versions and national transpositions) and consolidated CSV editions are also available.

Keywords

Low-voltage distribution, electrical safety, test equipment, measuring equipment, monitoring, insulation, earth fault, RCD (residual current device), metrology, measurement uncertainty, IEC 61557, amendment 2024.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61557-1 (with Amendment 1:2024) is the general requirements part of the IEC 61557 series covering equipment used to test, measure or monitor protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC. The 2024 publication is an amendment to the 2019 (3rd) edition and is published as IEC 61557-1:2019/AMD1:2024 (consolidated reference IEC 61557-1:2019+AMD1:2024).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers terminology, general performance and metrological requirements, measurement uncertainty, marking and documentation, and references for safety and EMC applicable to measuring/monitoring equipment used for assessing protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems. It also indicates where other parts of the 61557 series apply.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of test instruments, test laboratories, certifiers, electrical contractors, utilities and safety/regulatory bodies use this standard to design, assess and verify equipment for testing electrical safety. Standards bodies and technical committees also use it as a basis for national or regional adoptions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 3rd edition (IEC 61557-1:2019) remains the base edition; Amendment 1 published in 2024 updates and clarifies some requirements. The consolidated edition including the amendment is published as IEC 61557-1:2019/AMD1:2024 (consolidated CSV). Check national adoption dates for EN/ISO transpositions where applicable.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the IEC 61557 series. Other parts address specific test functions (for example insulation resistance, continuity of protective conductors, RCD testing, insulation monitoring devices, insulation fault location, power metering and machinery test equipment).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: electrical safety, low-voltage distribution, test equipment, measuring instruments, monitoring, insulation, earth, RCD, measurement uncertainty, IEC 61557, amendment 2024.