This part of IEC 62368 is applicable to the safety of electrical and electronic equipment within the field of audio, video, information and communication technology, and business and office machines with a rated voltage not exceeding 600 V. This document does not include requirements for performance or functional characteristics of equipment.

NOTE 1 Examples of equipment within the scope of this document are given in Annex A.

NOTE 2 A rated voltage of 600 V is considered to include equipment rated 400/690 V.

Explanatory information related to this document is contained in IEC TR 62368-2. It provides rationale together with explanatory information that can be helpful to apply to this document.

This document is also applicable to:

– components and subassemblies intended for incorporation in this equipment. Such components and subassemblies need not comply with every requirement of this document, provided that the complete equipment, incorporating such components and subassemblies, does comply;

– external power supply units intended to primarily supply equipment within the scope of this document;

– accessories intended to be used with equipment within the scope of this document;

– large equipment installed in restricted access areas. For equipment having large machinery aspects, additional requirements can apply; and

– equipment to be used in tropical regions.

This document also includes requirements for audio/video, information and communication technology equipment intended to be installed in an outdoor location. The requirements for outdoor equipment also apply, where relevant, to outdoor enclosures suitable for direct installation in the field and supplied for housing audio/video, information and communication technology equipment to be installed in an outdoor location. See Annex Y for specific construction requirements not covered elsewhere in this document.

This document harmonizes with IEC 61140 and gives consideration to the electrical installation by properly interfacing with the common safety aspects of the installation.

Each installation can have particular requirements. In addition, requirements for protection of the outdoor equipment against the effects of direct lightning strikes are not covered by this document.

NOTE 3 For information on this subject, see IEC 62305-1.

This document assumes a maximum altitude of 2 000 m unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.

Additional requirements for equipment having the capability to supply or receive DC power over commonly used communication cables, such as USB or Ethernet (PoE), are given in IEC 62368-3. IEC 62368-3 does not apply to:

– equipment supplying or receiving power using proprietary connectors; or

– equipment using a proprietary protocol to enable the power transfer.

This document specifies safeguards for ordinary persons, instructed persons, and skilled persons. Additional requirements can apply for equipment that is clearly designed or intended for use by children or specifically attractive to children.

NOTE 4 In Australia, the work conducted by an instructed person or a skilled person can require formal licensing from regulatory authorities.

NOTE 5 In Germany, in many cases a person can only be regarded as an instructed person or a skilled person if certain legal requirements are fulfilled.

This document does not apply to:

– equipment with non-self-contained hazardous moving parts, such as robotic equipment;

NOTE 6 For requirements related to robotic equipment in an industrial environment, see IEC 60204-1, IEC 60204-11, ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2.

– personal care robots, including mobile servant robots, physical assistant robots, and person carrier robots;

NOTE 7 For requirements related to personal care robots, see ISO 13482.

– power supply systems that are not an integral part of the equipment, such as motorgenerator sets, battery backup systems and distribution transformers;

– equipment to be used in wet areas indoors.

This document does not address:

– manufacturing processes except for routine tests;

– injurious effects of gases released by thermal decomposition or combustion;

– disposal processes;

– effects of transport (other than as specified in this document);

– effects of storage of materials, components, or the equipment itself;

– the likelihood of injury from particulate radiation such as alpha particles and beta particles;

– the use of the equipment in oxygen-enriched or explosive atmospheres;

– exposure to chemicals other than as specified in Clause 7;

– electrostatic discharge events;

– exposure to electromagnetic fields;

– environmental aspects; or

– requirements for functional safety, except for those related to work cells.

NOTE 8 For specific functional and software safety requirements of electronic safety-related systems (for example, protective electronic circuits), see IEC 61508-1.