IEC 60335-2-21:2012 deals with the safety of electric storage water heaters for household and similar purposes and intended for heating water below boiling temperature, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances. Appliances not intended for normal household use but which nevertheless may be a source of danger to the public, such as appliances intended to be used by laymen in shops, in light industry and on farms, are within the scope of this standard. This standard is also applicable to immersion heater units intended to be retrofitted in a heat exchange closed water heater having provision for retrofitting. Such a unit shall comply with the requirements in Annex AA. As far as is practicable, this standard deals with the common hazards presented by appliances that are encountered by all persons in and around the home. However, in general, it does not take into account persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge prevents them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction or children playing with the appliance. This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition published in 2002 including its Amendment 1 (2004) and its Amendment 2 (2008). The principal changes in this edition as compared with the fifth edition of IEC 60335-2-21 are as follows:
- added requirements for immersion heater units (fixed immersion heaters);
- removed reference to ISO 13732-1 from Bibliography. The attention of National Committees is drawn to the fact that equipment manufacturers and testing organizations may need a transitional period following publication of a new, amended or revised IEC publication in which to make products in accordance with the new requirements and to equip themselves for conducting new or revised tests. It is the recommendation of the committee that the content of this publication be adopted for implementation nationally not earlier than 12 months or later than 36 months from the date of publication. Keywords: Storage, Immersion, Water, Heater

This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60335-1:2010. The contents of the corrigendum of April 2013 have been included in this copy.