BS EN IEC 60445:2021

What is BS EN IEC 60445 about?  

BS EN IEC 60445 is a European safety standard that focuses on improving the safety of electronic conductors and other components. BS EN IEC 60445 provides general rules for the use of certain colours or alphanumeric notations to identify conductors to avoid ambiguity and ensure safe operation. These conductor colours and alphanumeric notations are intended to be applied on cores, busbars, electrical equipment, and cables or installations. 

BS EN IEC 60445 is a basic safety publication focusing on safety essential requirements is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards by the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51. 

Note: BS EN IEC 60445 is not intended for use by manufacturers or certification bodies. One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications. The requirements of this basic safety publication will not apply unless specifically referred to or included in the relevant publications. 

Who is BS EN IEC 60445 for? 

BS EN IEC 60445 on basic safety principles for the man-machine interface is beneficial for: 

• Manufacturers of electrical equipment 
• Executives responsible for health and safety on the work floor 
• Electrical engineers who are involved in installations of resistors, fuses, relays, etc. 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 60445?  

Workplace accidents due to man-machine interfaces can affect your organization’s financials. These accidents can be prevented by the use of simple markings like colour schemes or notations for identification purposes. 

BS EN IEC 60445 will guide you on how to designate these colour codes and notations to the appropriate terminals and conductors. BS EN IEC 60445 ensures a secure man-machine interface with its guidance on identifying conductors and their terminals through their designated colour codes and notations.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN IEC 60445:2021 supersedes BS EN 60445:2017. BS EN IEC 60445:2021 includes some technical changes compared to BS EN 60445:2017. These include: 

• The definitions have been aligned with IEC 60050-195:2021 and IEC 60050-826 
• The provisions for colour to be used for identification of certain designated conductors are made requirements and not only recommendations 
• Introduction of a new subclause on marking of protective terminals for multiple power supply inputs on equipment.