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in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +

01 ' 5

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Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 9409 (1980): Classification of electrical and electronic

equipment with regard to protection against electric shock
[ETD 1: Basic Electrotechnical Standards]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

( Reaffirmed 2002 )

IS : 9409 - 1980

Indian Standard
:: CLASSIFICATION OF
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
WITH REGARD TO PROTECTION
AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK

Electrotechnical

Standards Sectional Committee, ETDC 1

Chairman
SHRI J. S. ZAVERI

Representing

Bharat Bijlee Ltd, Bombay; and Rotating Machinery Sectional Committee, ETDC 15, ISI

Members

SHRI H. V. BADRINATH
SHRI V. K. BATRA
SHRI T. L. BHATIA
SHR~ J. M. NEOOY ( Alternate )
SHRt V. S. BHATIA
&to N. DAYAL
COL K. V. KUDVA ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR ( TED )

Wireless
Planning
and Coordination
Wing,
Ministry of,Communications,
New Delhi
Natgee;;: PhysIcal Laboratory
( CSIR ), N~A
Indian
Posts
and
Te!egrsphs
( Ministry of Communications

LOW Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear

tional Committee, ETDC 57, IS1
Ministry of Defence ( DGI ), New Delhi

Sec-

Central Electricity
Authority ( Department
Power, Ministry of Energy ), New Delhi

DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( TED ) ( Alternate )

how;;* Cables Sectional
SHRI M. L. Do NGRE
SHRI R. D. JAIN

Department
), New Delhi

Committee,

ETDC

Conductors and Accessories for Overhead

Sectional Committee, ETDC 60, ISI
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Bhopal

of
59,

Lines

SHRI K. C. KAUL
SHRI PRAKAYHSINGH ( Alternate )
National Test House, Calcutta
SHRt S. K. MUKHERJEE
SHRI B. MUKH~PADHYAY ( Alternate )
General Nomenclature
and Symbols SubcomPROF R. C. NARAYANAN
mittee, ETDC 1 : 3, IS1
Transformers
Sectional Committee,
ETDC 16,
SHRI D. V. NARKE
IS1
( Continued on page 2 )
@ Copyright 1980
INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in nhole or in part by eny means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement
of copyright under the said Act.
I

1s:9409-1980
( Continuedfrom page 1 )

Representing

hknberr

High Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Sec.

tional Committee, ETDC 58, IS1
Central
Electrochemical
Research
Institute
%RI R. RADHAKRISHNAN
( CSIR ), Karaikudi
&RI H, N. VENKOBARAO ( Alternate )
Relays Sectional Committee, ETDC 35, ISI
SHRI T. S. M. RAO
Electronics and Radar Development
Establish*
SBRI V. L. SASTRY
meot ( Ministry of Defence ), Bangalore
SHRI K. V. BHAT ( Attevriate )
Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
DR S. M. SEN
Secondary Cell8 and Batteriek Sectional ComDR H. V. K. UD~JPA
mittee, ETDC II, ISI
Indi;~m~a~ctricaI
Manufacturers
Association,
SI~RI M. P, WAGAH
SHRi

H. M. PAI

SHRI S. D. MED~~~KAR( Alfernnate>

Director
SHRI S. P. SACHDEV,
Director ( Eleo tech ) ( SecrCraFy )

General,

IS1 ( B-ofieio

bciember )

IS :9409- 1980

Indian Standard
CLASSIFICATION OF
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
WITH REGARD TO PROTECTION
AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK
0.

FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution
on 23 January 1980, after the draft finalized by the Electrotechnical
Standards Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electrotechnical
Division Council.
0.2 This standard marks an important step towards the unification of lowvoltage ele%rical and electronic equipment and covers a wide range of
applications in homes, offices, workshops, farms, etc, as well as for medical
and dental purposes.
0.3 While laying down in a uniform way the different classes of protection
against electric shock, this standard also gives the terms used in the description of the classes.
0.4 This standard is intended to give guidance on the classification of lowvoltage electrical and electronic equipment intended for connection to an
external po.wer supply with regard to protection against electric shock in the
event of an insulation failure. According to this classification, this protection may be provided by the environment, by the equipment itself or by the
system of supply, and these aspects are summarized in Appendix A.
0.5 Protection with regard to other aspects is covered in other Indian
Standards, for example, degrees of protection by enclosures are given in IS :
2147- 1962 and IS :4691 - 1968t.
0.6 This standard is based upon experience with voltages up to 440 V rms
and 250 V rms between phases and earth in equipment designed for the
purposes detailed in 1. However, the possibility of using it for higher voltages and other purposes may be considered.
*Degrees of protection provided

by enclosures

for low-voltage

switchgear

controlgear.

iDegrees of protection

provided

by enclosures

for rotating

electrical

machinery.

and

IS:

9409 -1980

0.7 Attention is drawn to the fact that the classification and the related
definitions have been carefully coordinated and although only parts may be
necessary for a particular item of work, such parts as are used should not
be altered in introducing them into other standards.
0.8 Tn the preparation of this standard, assistance has been derived from
IEC Pub 536 ( 1976 ) Classification of electrical and electronic equipment
with regard to protection against electric shock, issued by the International
Electrotechnical Commission.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard describes classification with definitions for protection
against electric shock in the event of failure of the insulation, It does not
detail the requirements for design, construction and testing according to this
system.

1.2 This classification applies to electrical and electronic equipment ( but

not the components thereof ) intended for connection to an external power
supply at system voltages not exceeding 440 V rms and 250 V rms between
phases and earth, for use by the general public in homes, ofices, workshops,
schools, farms and the like, and for medical and dental purposes.
1.3 Open-type equipment, that is to say, equipment which do not of themselves provide the required degree of protection against contact with live
parts are not covered.
2. DEFINITIONS
2;O For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply.
2.1 Basic Insulation - Insulation applied to live parts to provide basic prc*
tection against electric shock.
NOTE - Basic insulation
ly for functional purposes.

does not necessariIy

include insulation

used exclusive-

Supplementary Insulation - Independent insulation applied in addition

to basic insulation in order to provide protection against electric shock in
the event of a failure of basic insulation.

2.2

2.3 Double Insulation - Insulation comprising both basic insulation

supplementary insulation.
4

and

IS :9409-1980
2.4 Reinforced Insulation - A single insulation system applied to live
parts, which provides a degree of protection against electric shock equivaIl:nt to double insulation under, the conditions specified in the relevant
standard.
NOTE - The term insulation system does not imply that the insulation shall
be one homogeneous piece. It may comprise several layers which may not be tested
singly as supplementary
or basic insulation.

Safety Impedance - An impedance connected between live parts and

accessible conductive parts, of such value that the current, in normal
use and under likely fault conditions in the equipment, is, limited to a safe
value, and which is so constructed that the reliability is maintained throughout the life of the equipment.
2.5

the safe current

NOTE - Details of the likely fault conditions,
ments for reliabijity are as given in the relevant standards.

and tho require-

2.6, Safety Extra-Law Voltage ( SELV ) - A voltage which does not exceed
50 V ac rms ( see Noie 1 ) between conductors, or betwe;en any conductor
and earth,. in a circuit which is isolated from the supply mains by means of
a safety isolating tr&fortier
or converter with separate windings.
.I NOTE1 - The dc v&z is tinder donsideration.
*

NQTEZ-

particular

. . .
Limitation to voltages lower than 50 V gq rms may be specified in
stabdard, especially whfn direct co*ttact with live palts 16 mvolycd.

NOTE 3 - The. voltage lipit should not be exceeded. either

no-load, but it, is assumed, for the d&pose o i this d&nition,that
oi converter is operated at its rated supply voltage,,
.

3; _CLASSES

the

.at full load or

any transformer

.;

OF EQUIPMENT

3.0 The class numbers are not intended to reflect the safety level of
the equipment, but ,only the means by which the safety is obtained.
:s

I 1

3.1 Class 0 Equipment - Equipment in which prote&n

agwt
elegtric
shock relies upon basic insulation;
this implies that there are no means for
the cotinection
of accessible
condut%ive parts; if any, to the protectivF;conductor in the fixed wiring of the installation, reliance in the H&t of
a failure of the basic insul,ation bein+ placed upon the environment.
.
,
3.2 Class I Eqiipment - Equip&&? in &c)h protection against electric
shock does not rely on basic insuiation only, but #ich,includes
an additionaj ,:safety_,precautidh in ,such a way that_ .means are provided for the
connection of accehsible conductive p&t& to thc.pmtcctilvc ( earthing ) conductor in the fixed wiring of the installation in such a way that accessible
5

IS :.9409 - 19801

conductive parts may not become live -in ,the*event of a failure of (he basic
insylation.
: ,,
3 ._NOTE I._ For eqtiipment
vision includes a protective

intended for use%vith.a flexible-cord or cabi+e, this pieconductor as part of the flexible cord or cable. . :

.~OTB 2-Where
equipment
designed .as..Clas$ &,is. allowed to be fitte$ with
d $wo-core flexible cord or ,cable provided that it is fitted with a plug yh,ich day ,n,ot
bb infroduced ?nto a socket outlet wi,t,h darthi
contact,, the protectlon
1s:th3n
equivalent
to that of Class 0. but tl% eirthing
provlsl6ns oT the equipment
in all other respects she@ fully comply wit,h the requirements
of Class I.
. .
.s ,
.> a
:
a
3.3 fiYrss II Eq&ment -

Equipmknt
in yvhicb prdtiction against eJectr$,
s&k does not raly on basic iii@afion only% $ut in, whi,cb ad&t&al saTe{y
precautions sutih.as double insulation br reinforckd Insulation are proviE:
ed, there being no provision for protective earthing or reliance upon
instlliation donditions.
1-

Nora

In certaii

dp&ial

c&s,

&h

asthe

signal terminals

of electronic

cc#pment. safety impedance may be used W Class .I1 equipment where it, has been
is&blished- that the safety impedance is necessary and that,, the technique may
!%d>included. without dettiment:tothe$afety
l_evel.
1:

NOTB 2 & Chss II equippent,

the contindtjr
and

equipment
of Claus II.

may be, piovided Gjth means for maintaih&

of protbctive circ&ts: provided that such ineans arewithib the
are insulated from,,accessible.surfaces
according to the requirements

NOTE 3 -, In certpin

cases, it may be .riecessa&

Class ?I &jui$ment.

inru!ated and metal-encased

t? gistingtijsh.

,bet\n/een $1

C&s II equipment
may be provided
with means
NOTE4 -Metal-encased
-for the connection
of a potential
equalization
conductor
to the enclosure/
only where such a need is recognized in the relevant standard.

Class II equipment may be prov ed with means .for conne+on_

to_
Nomsearth for functional ( as distinct from protect1 s, ) purposes only where such a need
is recugniztd in the relevant standard.

3.4 Class IIF Equipment - Equipment in which proZtction agaitist electric

shock relies on supply at safety extra-low voltage ( SELV) and in which

voltages highcr;than%hose of.SBLV are not] ge&ated. ..I4

,I!.I.!
4 1
,
i ,
I
+ Class III equipment should not be provided with ame&ns for protective,,
.,
f

I Nowi*

&thing.

Nom 2 Meraf:enc!ased Cl&s111 eqaivment may bb providsdw%ti

the connection of a potential equalization cqnductor to the enclosure
such a necd?s recogbize&& the.&eyanr
sta?&rd.
i,
1
g

me& for
only where

,,

.o:

Ndh

3 Y-&&s

III e&&mdnt

mldybe!&dilihe&

tiith

means

f& cb~nec~iori

to earth for fhnctional ( as distinct- from protective) purpo@ ohl); wheie buch a :
i
I
mad is recdgnized in the relevant standard
- I
J
.. ,I:: Id*.

_. .

).

6..
?

.I -.> .u

*I

IS :9409 - 1980

APPENDIX

( Clause 0.4 )
PRINCIPAL
A-l,

CHARACTERISTICS
OF EQUIPMENT
PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFETY

EQUIPMENT
CHARACTERISTICS
PRFCAUTIONS

AND

AND

SAFETY

of equipment according
A-1.1 - Table 1 gives the principal characteristics
to this classification and indicates the precautions necessary for safety in thr
event of a failure of the basic insulation.
TABLE 1 EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS AND %WETY PRECAUTIONS
CLASS

Principal
characteristics of
the equipment
Precautions
for safety

No.

0
means

for protective earthinp

Earth-free
environment

CLASS1

CLASS11

Protective earthing means

provided

are

to
Connection
the protective
earthing

cuss III

A d d i t i o n a I D$ndt
insulation and
no means for
protective
earthing
None

necessary

for supsafety
extra-low voltage

Connection
to
safety extra-low
voltage

INDIAN

STANDARDS

ON
ELECTROTECHNICAL STANDARDS
IS :
585-1962
3599-1966
3722-1966
7691-1975
8270 ( Part
8270 ( Part
8270 4 Part

8270 ( Part
8270 ( Part

Voltages and frequency for ac transmission and distribution

systems ( revised )
Method of measurement of cooling medium temperature for
electrical apparatus
Letter symbols and signs used in electrical technology
Frequencies for special power applications
I )-1976 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts and tables
for eIectrotechnoIogy: Part I Definitions and classification
II )-1976 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts and tables
for electrotechnology: Part II Item designation
III )-I977 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts and
tables for electrotechnology: Part III General requirements for
diagrams
IV )-1977 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts and
tables for electrotechnology: Part IV Circuit diagrams
V )-1976 Guide for preparation of diagrams, charts and tables
for electrotechnology:
Part V Interconnection diagrams and
tables