NEW!IEC 60669-1:2017 is available as IEC 60669-1:2017 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.

This part of IEC 60669 applies to manually operated general purpose functional switches, for alternating current (AC) only with a rated voltage not exceeding 440 V with a rated current not exceeding 63 A, intended for household and similar fixed electrical installations, either indoors or outdoors.
For switches provided with screwless terminals, the rated current is limited to 16 A.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 1998, Amendment 1:1999 and Amendment 2:2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:

a) change of the scope for motor load switches;    
b) deletion of some dated normative references;
c) changes to the definitions;
d) in Clause 5 the number of specimens to be used for the tests are clearly given in Table 1 (Corresponding Annex A of IEC 60669-1:1998 was therefore deleted);
e) in Clause 5 it was clarified on which switches the tests of Clause 19 shall be carried out;
f) requirements concerning 13 A switches have been included;
g) mandatory indication that a terminal is suitable for rigid conductor only;
h) requirements and test conditions for flexible conductors have been included in Clause 12;
i) requirements for pilot light units have been included;
j) new test for self-ballasted lamp loads in 19.3;
k) Table 20 has been completely redrawn to cover normal, mini and micro-gap switches and renumbered Table 21;
l) new informative Annex B including changes planned for the future in order to align IEC 60669-1 with the requirements of IEC 60998 (all parts), IEC 60999 (all parts) and IEC 60228;
m) new informative Annex C about the circuit development for 19.3;
n) new informative Annex D including additional requirements for insulation-piercing terminals;
o) new informative Annex E including additional requirements and tests for switches intended to be used at a temperature lower than −5 °C.

Key words: Home switches, fixed electrical installation