IEC 61482

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IEC 61482

Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc

Picto de la norme textile EN 11612
Discover all IEC 61482 standard products See the standard in video

There are two versions of 61482 standards in effect:

These standards are not under the EN or EN ISO standardization system, so they do not appear in the official gazette, so we can use either version.

Difference between these 2 standards

  • The pictogram
  • Class 1 4kA replaced by APC 1 Class 2 7ka replaced by APC 2, in both cases the power used for the tests is identical
  • In the latest version, the ELIM appears, which is the incident energy limit, a new calculation method taking into account a probability of second degree burns of 5% compared to the ATPV which is 50%.
  • Two additional tests for fabric shrinkage when exposed to a temperature of 180°C according to ISO 17943 and electrical resistance according to EN1149-2

Apart from the FLASH TECH range of garments, the ATPV or ELIM values indicated on the various documents are the values of the fabrics only, our garments are tested according to the IEC 61482-2 standard (constrained arc method)

No impact of being in 2009 version

Picto de la norme textile EN 11612

IEC 61482-2 2018

IEC 61482-2 2009

Explanation of the 61482 standard

IEC 61482 standard work clothes are designed to protect against the thermal risks of an electric arc during a live intervention.

This international standard is not yet validated by the international standards organization (ISO).

There are 2 test methods

There are 2 test methods for the IEC 61482 standard: the Box Test and the Open Arc Test

Constrained arc test

(Box Test)
Class 1: 4KA – Class 2: 7 kA

The fabric is exposed to an electric arc of 4 kA or 7 kA, where the heat transmission cannot cause second degree burns. The test is then repeated on a garment. This garment must remain functional after an exposure (the seams cannot crack (thread resistance), the accessories (fasteners, buttons…) must remain operational). If both results are positive, the garment can be marked with a class 1 (4kA) or class 2 (7kA).

Free bow test

(Open Arc Test)
ATPV or EBT value expressed in cal/cm².

  • The ATPV value represents the maximum thermal energy that can be sustained by the garment before the user suffers second degree burns.
  • The EBT value represents the highest value of energy exposure that a fabric can withstand before showing signs of failure.

The arc resistance is expressed in ATPV (Arc thermal Performance Value). This value is the maximum incident thermal energy (cal/cm2) where a material protects the wearer from second degree burns.
This method allows the PPE to be adapted according to this ATPV value. This test is the most popular way to choose PPE according to the risk incurred by the wearer.

This method allows the PPE to be adapted according to this ATPV value. This test is the most popular way to choose PPE according to the risk incurred by the wearer.

The risks of an electric arc

It is necessary to explain what an electric arc or flash arc is.

It is a flow of electric current through the air. The released electricity leads to an explosion of a large amount of thermal energy.

The risks of an electric arc

High heat generation 3rd degree burns Projection of molten metal
Sound waves 140 DB Degradation of hearing loss Pressure waves
Release of smoke Alteration of the airway Toxic vapors
Ultraviolet / Infrared light Eye damage Projection of sparks

Protective clothing alone does not provide sufficient protection. They must be associated with other protective equipment (gloves, helmets, visor…). These garments are not insulating, so they do not protect against the risk of electrocution.

Scope of the IEC 61482 standard

This standard 61382 specifies requirements and test methods for materials and articles of clothing used for protective clothing for electrical workers against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, which are based on:

  • General textile properties that apply, verified by selected textile test methods
  • Thermal arc resistance properties such as:
    • The arc characteristic of the materials (ATPV or EBT50), when tested with an open arc under specified laboratory conditions and in accordance with IEC 61482-1-1 or
    • The arc protection class of materials and articles of clothing (Class 1 or Class 2), when tested with a directed and constrained arc under laboratory conditions determined with the standards covering this type of hazard.

The requirements of this standard do not address electrification hazards. This standard is applicable in combination with standards covering such hazards.

Note 1

The risk of electrification hazards must be considered if conductive fibers are used in the manufacture of clothing. This standard does not contain requirements for head, hand and foot protection.

Note 2

Requirements and tests to cover such hazards are under development. The requirements of this standard do not cover the hazards of electrification, noise, UV emissions, pressure sprays, hot oil, the consequences of physical or mental shock or the toxic influences of an electric arc.

Evolution of the product over time

Change in product performance over time during use or storage

Note 1 to article: aging is caused by a combination of several factors, such as the following:

  • cleaning, maintenance or disinfection process;
  • exposure to visible and/or ultraviolet radiation;
  • exposure to high or low temperatures or temperature variations;
  • exposure to chemicals including humidity;
  • exposure to biological agents such as bacteria, mold, insects or other parasites;
  • exposure to mechanical action such as abrasion, bending, pressure and tension;
  • exposure to pollutants such as dirt, oil, molten metal splashes, etc;
  • exposure due to wearing.
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