What is BS EN IEC 61058‑1 on Switches for appliances about?

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 is the first part of an international standard that covers guidelines for switches for appliances.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 applies to switches for appliances. The switches are intended to control electrical appliances and other equipment for household or similar purposes with a rated voltage not exceeding 480 V and a rated current not exceeding 63 A.

Switches for appliances are intended to be operated by a person via an actuating member, indirect actuation, an actuating sensing unit.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 applies to switches for appliances provided with additional control functions governed by the switch provided with electronic circuits and devices that are necessary for the intended and/or correct operation of the switch.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 applies to circuitry when evaluated with a switch and is necessary for the switching function.

Note 1: BS EN IEC 61058‑1 does not contain requirements for safety isolating switches.

Note 2: Transmission of a signal between the actuating member or sensing unit and the switch may be connected by optical, acoustic, thermal, electrical, or other relevant connection and may include remote controlled units.

Who is BS EN IEC 61058‑1 on Switches for appliances for?

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 on switches for appliances is useful for:

Manufacturers and suppliers of switches
Dealers and distributors of switches
Designers of switches
Test /service providers for switches

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61058‑1 on Switches for appliances?

The switches perform the function of interrupting as well as resuming the current flow according to the instruction. All electrical appliances work through switches.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 establishes uniform requirements for switches for appliances, which helps you to control and operate electrical appliances or parts of appliances in the most suitable way.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 defines the performance as well as classification of the switches with particular requirements, which guides the manufacturers of electrical appliances and electronic equipment to ensure the fit and suitability of dimensions and characteristics.

BS EN IEC 61058‑1 also gives protection measures for the switches such as protection against electric shock, provision for earthing, and particulars for insulation, so as to ensure the safety of the switches as well as the electrical appliances to which the switch is connected with.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN IEC 61058‑1:2018 supersedes BS EN 61058‑1:2002+A2:2008, which is withdrawn. BS EN IEC 61058‑1:2018 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:

Requirements for mechanical switches are now given in IEC 61058-1-1
Requirements for electronic switches are now given in IEC 61058-1-2

BS EN IEC 61058-1:2018

Switches for appliances - General requirements

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 May 2018