1.1 This British Standard specifies requirements and tests to check the
safety in normal use of electrical accessories which are not covered by
other specific British Standards.
Such accessories are intended for use in household, commercial and
light industrial premises where:
? the nominal supply voltage does not exceed 250 V a.c.
single?phase, 50 Hz to 60 Hz or 250 V d.c.;
? the rated current of the accessory does not exceed 63 A.
Unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer, accessories conforming
to this standard are intended for connection by cables or flexible cords
conforming to BS 6004, BS 6007, BS 6500 or BS 7211.
1.2 This standard also covers:
? “plug-in” and other accessories in which electrical accessory
components such as plug-pins, socket-contacts, switches,
terminals, etc. are incorporated (see 5.1);
? maintenance free accessories (see 3.31).
1.3 Accessories conforming to this standard are suitable for use under
the following conditions of service:
? an ambient temperature in the range -5 °C to +40 °C, the average
value over 24 h not exceeding 25 °C;
NOTE 1 Under normal conditions of use, the available cooling air
is subject to natural atmospheric variations of temperature and
hence the peak temperature occurs only occasionally during the hot
season, and on those days when it does occur, it does not persist for
lengthy periods.
? a situation not subject to direct radiation from the sun or other
source of heat likely to raise temperatures above the limits
specified above;
? an altitude not exceeding 2 000 m above sea-level;
? an atmosphere not subject to excessive pollution by smoke,
chemical fumes, or other abnormal conditions.
NOTE 2 Accessories conforming to this standard may be suitable for use
in other conditions, subject to agreement between manufacturer and
user. Information given in a manufacturer’s catalogue may take the place
of such an agreement.
1.4 Requirements for electromagnetic compatibility are not given,
as accessories do not in themselves produce extraneous emissions,
nor is their functioning affected by external emissions. Therefore no
emission or immunity tests are necessary.
It should be noted that accessories containing active electronic
components, other than luminous indicating devices, may be
susceptible to, or emit, electromagnetic interference.