IEC\/EN\/UL 62368-1<\/strong> is a hazard-based safety engineering standard<\/strong> that applies to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Audio\/Video (AV) equipment. It represents a fundamental shift from traditional prescriptive safety standards to a more flexible, performance-based approach centered on identifying and mitigating energy hazards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Formally titled *”Audio\/video, information and communication technology equipment \u2013 Part 1: Safety requirements,”* it has become the globally recognized safety benchmark for modern electronic devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This standard is the direct successor to and eventual replacement for two long-standing legacy standards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The transition period has ended in most major markets, making IEC\/EN\/UL 62368-1 the mandatory standard<\/strong> for new product certifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike older “rules-based” standards that prescribed specific design solutions (e.g., “use a 1mm thick plastic barrier”), IEC 62368-1 is outcome-focused<\/strong>. It requires manufacturers to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This approach is more adaptable to innovative and converging technologies, as it focuses on the inherent hazard rather than a predefined construction method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The foundation of the standard is the classification of energy sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The standard defines three types of persons, with requirements tailored to their expected skill and awareness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The standard covers a wide range of safety aspects. Key areas include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n IEC 62368-1 relies heavily on the use of certified critical safety components<\/strong>. If a component (like a transformer, fuse, or optical coupler) is certified to its own relevant component standard (e.g., UL 1310<\/strong> for Class 2 power units, IEC 61558<\/strong> for transformers), it can often be used without further testing within its specified ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The core technical content is identical, but the prefix indicates the issuing body and its associated national deviations or normative references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> This guide provides an educational overview of IEC\/EN\/UL 62368-1. It is not a substitute for the full standard or professional compliance advice. Always consult the latest official version of the standard and engage with qualified safety engineering professionals or certification bodies for your specific product assessment.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What is IEC\/EN\/UL 62368-1? IEC\/EN\/UL 62368-1 is a hazard-based safety engineering standard that applies to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Audio\/Video (AV) equipment. It represents a fundamental…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_elementor_edit_mode":"","_elementor_template_type":"","_elementor_data":"","_elementor_page_settings":null,"_elementor_conditions":[]},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Transition from Old Standards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Core Philosophy: Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Three-Class Energy Source System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Class<\/th> Descripci\u00f3n<\/th> Potential for Injury<\/th> Example Safeguard Principle<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Class 1 (ES1)<\/strong><\/td> Painless, non-injurious energy.<\/strong><\/td> No injury. Touching is safe under normal and single-fault conditions.<\/td> No safeguard required.<\/strong> Basic insulation is often sufficient.<\/td><\/tr> Class 2 (ES2)<\/strong><\/td> Energy that can cause discomfort but is not likely to cause injury.<\/strong> May be painful (e.g., a shock), but won’t cause physical harm like burns or electric shock effects on the heart.<\/td> Normally no injury, but can cause involuntary reaction.<\/td> Basic Safeguards<\/strong> are required to protect Ordinary Persons<\/strong>. These prevent contact under normal operating conditions and after a single fault<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr> Class 3 (ES3)<\/strong><\/td> Energy that can cause injury.<\/strong> This includes hazardous voltage levels, high temperatures, projectiles, etc.<\/td> Risk of permanent injury, burns, or electrocution.<\/td> Double or Reinforced Safeguards<\/strong> are required to protect Ordinary Persons<\/strong> and Instructed Persons<\/strong>. These must remain effective even after two independent faults<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Protection of Persons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Key Technical Requirements & Common Test Criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Role of Component Standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Global Acceptance & Market Variations: IEC vs. EN vs. UL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Compliance is Critical<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Practical Steps for Compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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