1.1 This International Standard applies to switches (mechanical or electronic) for appliances
actuated by hand, by foot or by other human activity, to operate or control electrical appliances
and other equipment for household or similar purposes with a rated voltage not exceeding
480 V and a rated current not exceeding 63 A.These switches are intended to be operated by a person, via an actuating member or by
actuating a sensing unit. The actuating member or sensing unit can be integral with or
arranged separately, either physically or electrically, from the switch and may involve
transmission of a signal, for example electrical, optical, acoustic or thermal, between the
actuating member or sensing unit and the switch.
Switches which incorporate additional control functions governed by the switch function are
within the scope of this standard.
This standard also covers the indirect actuation of the switch when the operation of the
actuating member or sensing unit is provided by a remote control or a part of an appliance or
equipment such as a door.
NOTE 1 Electronic switches may be combined with mechanical switches giving full disconnection or microdisconnection.
NOTE 2 Electronic switches without a mechanical switch in the supply circuit provide only electronic
disconnection. Therefore, the circuit on the load side is always considered to be live.
NOTE 3 For switches used in tropical climates, additional requirements may be necessary.
NOTE 4 Attention is drawn to the fact that the standards for appliances may contain additional or alternative
requirements for switches.
NOTE 5 Throughout this standard, the word "appliance" means "appliance or equipment".
1.2 This standard applies to switches intended to be incorporated in, on or with an appliance.
1.3 This standard also applies to switches incorporating electronic devices.
1.4This standard also applies to switches # for appliances such as
– switches intended to be connected to a flexible cable (cord switches) for which, however,
particular requirements are given in IEC 61058-2-1;
NOTE In this document, the word "cable" means "cable or cord".
– switches integrated in an appliance (integrated switches);
– switches intended to be mounted separately from the appliance (independently mounted
switches) other than those within the scope of IEC 60669-1, for which, however, particular
requirements are given in IEC 61058-2-4;
– change-over selectors for which, however, particular requirements are given in
IEC 61058-2-5.
1.5 This standard does not contain requirements for isolating switches.
1.6 This standard does not apply to devices which control appliances and equipment not
actuated intentionally by a person. These are covered by IEC 60730.