What does the standard entail?

This standard has been drawn up for clothing that protects against the heat and intensity of an electric arc. This is a short-lived very intense flash of flame resulting from a short circuit. Compliance with IEC 61482 means that the clothing is well flame-retardant and protects against the heat. The clothing falls into highest risk class III of the EU regulation.

This standard has been updated. Previously, the clothing could be recognised by the standard pictogram with the 2 triangles on top of each other. This has been changed to a pictogram that better reflects the hazard the clothing in question protects against. Below the pictogram is the class to which the clothing complies: "APC=1 or APC=2", which then stands for "Arc Protection Class 1 or 2" instead of the previously mentioned "Class 1". In the user instructions, there is now also additional information for the wearer on how the clothing should be worn for the best protection. The clothing instructions and test methods have remained the same.

Protection against the hazards of an electric arc can be tested in 2 ways:

IEC 61482-1-1: the “open arc” method

This test method is used in thee USA. This test method measures the ATPV value or EBT50. The ATPV value is the value (in cal/cm2) that predicts a 50% of protection against a second degree burn. The higher the value, the better the protection. In America, a minimal ATPV value of 8 is required for employees exposed to electric-arc hazards. The measured ATPV value is mentioned on the label. The HAVEP® 5safety Image collection has an ATPV value of 11.5 cal/cm2.

New in the latest version (2018) is the ELIM (incident energy limit). This value is calculated from the ATPV value. The ELIM value is lower as it is the average of the 3 values below the Stoll curve. Because of the variation in measurements, we do not (no longer) state the ATPV value on the CE label.

IEC 61482-1-2: de BOX-test

In Europe, 61482-1-2: the “box” test is used. A fabric sample is exposed to an electric arc produced by a 4kA (class 1) or 7kA (class 2) short circuit. In the test, the arc does not last any longer than 500 ms. The amount of heat transmitted through the sample is measured during and after the test. On the basis of the resulting data and a STOLL curve, the length of time it would take to cause the onset of second-degree burns is subsequently determined. Samples are also assessed for after-flaming, hole formation, melting, etc.

In Europe, 61482-1-2: the “box” test is used (the test method is comparable to 50354).

Besides fabric samples, a complete jacket also has to be tested. The objective of doing this is not to determine the energetic value, but to assess the jacket after exposure to an electric arc for defects in the seams, fastenings and all other accessories.

The requirements set in this standard

The model requirements for welder's clothing (EN ISO 11611) are used in this standard.