IEC 60335-2-73:2024 deals with the safety of fixed electric immersion heaters for household and similar purposes that are intended for installation in a water tank open to the atmosphere for heating water to a temperature below its boiling point with a rated voltage of not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances including direct current (DC) supplied appliances. The water tank can have alternative means for heating water, such as the circulation of hot water supplied from a separate boiler. Immersion heaters having a rated power input up to 25 kW for incorporation as an alternative heating source in central heating boilers are also within the scope of this standard. Appliances not intended for normal household use but which nevertheless can be a source of danger to the public, such as appliances intended to be used by laypersons in shops, in light industry and on farms, are within the scope of this standard.
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;
- children playing with the appliance.
Attention is drawn to the fact that
- for appliances intended to be used in vehicles or on board ships or aircraft, additional requirements can be necessary;
- in many countries additional requirements are specified by the national health authorities, the national authorities responsible for the protection of labour, the national water supply authorities and similar authorities.
This standard does not apply to
appliances intended exclusively for industrial purposes;
- appliances intended to be used in locations where special conditions prevail, such as the presence of a corrosive or explosive atmosphere (dust, vapour or gas);
- heating elements incorporated in appliances such as appliances for heating liquids (IEC 60335-2-15), storage water heaters (IEC 60335-2-21) and instantaneous water heaters (IEC 60335-2-35);
- aquarium heaters (IEC 60335-2-55);
- portable immersion heaters (IEC 60335-2-74);
- engine preheaters such as those for cars and buses.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2002, Amendment 1: 2006 and Amendment 2: 2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the text has been aligned with IEC 60335-1:2020;
b) some notes have been converted to normative text (Clause 1, 19.2);
c) addition of external accessible surface temperatures (Clause 11);
This part 2 is to be used in conjunction with the latest edition of IEC 60335-1:2020 and its amendments unless that edition precludes it; in that case, the latest edition that does not preclude it is used. It was established on the basis of the sixth edition (2020) of that standard.