IEC 61557-14-2023 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61557-14:2023 — 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 14: Equipment for testing the safety of electrical equipment of machinery. This edition (2nd) updates and replaces the 2013 edition and defines special requirements and performance criteria for test and measurement equipment used to determine the electrical safety of machinery in accordance with IEC 60204-1.

Abstract

IEC 61557-14:2023 specifies safety, performance and marking requirements for portable and bench test equipment intended to assess electrical safety aspects of electrical equipment of machinery (e.g., insulation resistance, protective bonding, RCD operation and voltage tests). The standard is intended to ensure comparable, reproducible, and safe testing procedures and equipment behaviour during normal use and foreseeable misuse. It is to be used together with the general requirements of IEC 61557-1:2019.

General information

• Status: Published / Active International Standard.
• Publication date: 25 August 2023.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20; 29.080.01; 29.240.01.
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2023).
• Number of pages: 33.

Scope

This part of IEC 61557 defines special requirements for test and measurement equipment used to determine the electrical safety of electrical equipment of machinery in accordance with IEC 60204-1. It supplements the general requirements of IEC 61557-1 and addresses additional protection measures (for test persons and bystanders) needed during voltage and high-voltage tests and other safety checks specific to machinery electrical equipment. The standard cancels and replaces IEC 61557-14:2013 and contains technical revisions and clarifications.

Key topics and requirements

• Test functions covered: insulation resistance, protective bonding (resistance) measurement, verification of RCD/trip devices in accordance with IEC 61557-6, and voltage (dielectric/service) tests with defined waveforms and levels.
• Voltage test levels: for equipment with nominal voltage ≤ 500 V the test voltage is 1 000 V; for equipment with nominal voltage > 500 V the test voltage is 2 × Un (nominal voltage).
• Rated/allowed currents for voltage tests: rated test current 100 mA AC (tolerance 0 % to +2 %); minimum prospective short-circuit current 200 mA; maximum output current measured via a 2 kΩ resistor not to exceed 250 mA.
• Protection and safety features: time-limiting capability and additional measures to protect test persons and bystanders during high-voltage tests; specified tripping-time requirements for electrically switched operations (e.g., two‑hand controls).
• Construction and measurement categories: enclosure protection at least IP40 (except service sockets/terminals); supply circuit rated for overvoltage category II; most measuring circuits rated CAT III, with certain circuits (protective bonding, insulation resistance) rated CAT II or treated as secondary circuits if transformer separated.
• Accessories and markings: specified accessory requirements (e.g., leads, test probes) in line with IEC 61010-031 and clear marking/operating instructions to ensure safe use.
• Relationship to series: structured and aligned with other parts of IEC 61557 and cross-references IEC 61557-1 for general requirements.

Typical use and users

Primary users include manufacturers of electrical test equipment, safety and compliance engineers, machinery manufacturers and designers, maintenance and commissioning technicians, testing laboratories and calibration houses. The standard is used to design, manufacture, specify and verify test instruments intended for safety testing of machine electrical equipment and to ensure testing processes meet internationally agreed safety and performance levels.

Related standards

Commonly referenced standards include IEC 61557-1 (general requirements for testing equipment), IEC 60204-1 (safety of machinery — electrical equipment of machines), IEC 61557-6 (RCD testing), IEC 61010 parts (measurement and laboratory equipment safety, including IEC 61010-2-034 and IEC 61010-031) and other parts of the IEC 61557 series that define measuring functions and safety criteria.

Keywords

electrical safety; test equipment; machinery; insulation resistance; protective bonding; RCD testing; voltage test; dielectric test; IEC 61557; IEC 60204-1; overvoltage category; CAT III; IP40; test current limits.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61557-14:2023 is the part of the IEC 61557 series that sets requirements for equipment used to test the electrical safety of electrical equipment of machinery, specifying safety features, performance requirements and testing functions for such equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers requirements for test functions (insulation resistance, protective bonding resistance, RCD testing, voltage tests), limits for test voltages and currents, protective measures for test personnel and bystanders, constructional and measurement-category requirements, and marking and accessory specifications. Key numerical requirements (test voltages, rated currents, protection ratings) are defined to ensure safe, repeatable testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, test and calibration laboratories, machinery designers, safety and compliance engineers, and maintenance/commissioning teams who perform or specify electrical safety testing on machinery.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — IEC 61557-14:2023 (Edition 2.0) was published 25 August 2023 and cancels and replaces IEC 61557-14:2013. The 2023 edition is the applicable active standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 61557 series (equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures in low-voltage distribution systems). It is intended to be read together with IEC 61557-1 (general requirements) and other relevant parts such as IEC 61557-6 for RCD testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electrical safety; machinery; test equipment; insulation resistance; protective bonding; voltage test; RCD; IEC 61557; IEC 60204-1; test current limits; IP40; CAT III.