IEC TR 62368-2-2019 PDF

Full title and description

Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment — Part 2: Explanatory information related to IEC 62368-1:2018. This Technical Report (TR) provides background, rationale and explanatory guidance for selected subclauses of IEC 62368-1 to aid consistent application of the hazard‑based safety approach; it is informative only and does not add normative requirements.

Abstract

IEC TR 62368-2:2019 (Ed. 3.0) collects explanatory material for IEC 62368-1:2018. Only those subclauses judged to need further background or clarification are included. The TR updates earlier editions to reflect the changes in IEC 62368-1 and notes that, in case of conflict, the requirements in IEC 62368-1 prevail.

General information

• Status: Published (Technical Report, informative); base publication current until its published withdrawal date.
• Publication date: 2019-05-07 (Edition 3.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); bilingual English/French edition available via IEC webstore and national publishers.
• ICS / categories: 33.160.01, 35.020 (Audio/video and information technology).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2019).
• Number of pages: 405 pages (base publication).

Scope

Provides explanatory information and background to selected clauses, subclauses, annexes, figures and tables of IEC 62368-1:2018. The TR is informative only and does not change or add normative requirements; it is intended to clarify purpose, applicability and exclusions of IEC 62368-1 and to support consistent application of its hazard‑based approach. Not all subclauses are repeated — only those needing further explanation.

Key topics and requirements

• Explanation of the hazard‑based safety engineering (HBSE) concepts underpinning IEC 62368-1 (energy source classification, risk pathways and safeguard selection).
• Guidance on electrically‑caused injury and fire: touch voltage/current, protective conductors, backfeed safeguards and insulation concepts.
• Component‑level guidance and composition of safeguards (examples: switches, varistors, capacitors, printed boards, interconnection cables and paired elements acting as a safeguard).
• Tests and example procedures for normal operating, abnormal operating and single‑fault conditions; rationale for test selection and expected outcomes.
• Coverage of other injury sources and safeguards: mechanical energy, thermal burn, hazardous substances, radiation and acoustic energy considerations.
• Examples and annex material describing typical equipment within scope and illustrative application notes to aid designers and test laboratories.

Typical use and users

Used by product designers, safety engineers, compliance/test laboratories, certification bodies, standards committees and technical authors who need interpretive guidance for applying IEC 62368-1 to audio/video and ICT equipment. The TR helps translate hazard‑based requirements into practical design and test considerations.

Related standards

Normatively related to IEC 62368-1 (the primary hazard‑based safety standard); complements and explains that standard but is informative only. It is part of the IEC 62368 series and should be considered alongside other IEC/ISO/IEEE standards that address functional safety, electromagnetic compatibility and specific product families where applicable.

Keywords

IEC 62368, TR 62368-2, hazard-based safety, AV equipment, ICT equipment, safeguards, energy source classification, explanatory guidance, HBSE, test methods.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TR 62368-2:2019 is a Technical Report providing explanatory information and background for IEC 62368-1:2018 (the hazard‑based safety standard for audio/video and information & communication technology equipment). It is informative and does not add normative requirements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers explanatory guidance for selected subclauses of IEC 62368-1, including hazard classification, rationale for safeguards, component guidance, and example tests for normal, abnormal and single‑fault conditions. The TR explains intent and application but does not change the requirements in IEC 62368-1.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Product designers, compliance and safety engineers, test laboratories and certification/standards bodies who implement or assess equipment against IEC 62368-1 use the TR for clarification and consistent interpretation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TR 62368-2:2019 (Ed. 3.0) was published in May 2019 and is the third edition of the TR. The IEC webstore lists a published withdrawal date for this edition in 2025 and the TR series has a revised 2025 edition (Ed. 4.0) that supersedes the 2019 edition; users should check the IEC catalogue for the latest edition when working after 2025.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IEC 62368 series; Part 1 is IEC 62368-1 (the normative hazard‑based safety standard). The TR is intended to support consistent application of Part 1.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hazard‑based safety, HBSE, AV/ICT equipment, safeguards, energy source classification, explanatory guidance, IEC 62368-1.