IEC 60335-2-2 Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-2: Particular requirements for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances

IEC 60335-2-2:2023 is part of the IEC 60335 series, which specifies safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances. This standard focuses on vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances, addressing both general and specific safety issues associated with these devices. It ensures that the appliances are safe for users and the environment, covering aspects like electrical, mechanical, and operational safety. This summary will highlight the key aspects of the standard, focusing on the particular requirements for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances.

Scope of IEC 60335-2-2:2023
This standard applies to vacuum cleaners, including dry, wet, and water-suction cleaning appliances, intended for household and similar uses. It covers appliances for general cleaning purposes, including specialized devices for cleaning liquids, such as water-suction cleaners. The standard applies to both corded and cordless devices and provides provisions for appliances with additional functions, like polishing or scrubbing.

The appliances covered in this standard are designed for use in households or similar settings, such as commercial establishments, hotels, hospitals, and other environments. Industrial vacuum cleaners are excluded unless they are explicitly designed for household purposes. The primary objective is to ensure that these devices operate safely under normal usage and fault conditions.

The standard mandates that vacuum cleaners and water-suction appliances must be robust enough to withstand typical mechanical stresses, such as dropping, impacts, or being pulled by their power cord.

Durability and Strength Testing: Parts like casings, wheels, and handles are tested for mechanical strength to ensure they do not break or pose a hazard during normal use.

Thermal Safety:
Devices must not overheat during operation, particularly in prolonged use scenarios or when the airflow is blocked. The standard outlines maximum allowable surface temperatures for accessible parts to prevent burns or discomfort to users.
Overload Protection: Appliances should include automatic shut-off mechanisms in case of overheating to prevent fire or damage to internal components.

Protection Against Moisture:
For water-suction appliances, there are additional requirements to ensure that moisture cannot reach the electrical components of the device.
Ingress Protection (IP Rating): The standard specifies levels of protection against the ingress of water, ensuring that water-suction devices can safely handle liquid spills without electrical hazards.

Noise Levels:
Noise emitted by vacuum cleaners is a concern for both user comfort and environmental considerations. The standard includes provisions to limit noise emissions, ensuring that devices are quiet enough for domestic use.

Testing Procedures
The standard specifies numerous tests that vacuum cleaners and water-suction appliances must undergo to ensure their safety:

Temperature Rise Testing:
This test ensures that components like motors and wiring do not exceed safe temperature limits during continuous operation. The device is operated under normal and abnormal conditions (such as blocked airflow) to measure how much heat it generates.

Moisture Resistance Testing:
Water-suction appliances must be tested for their ability to resist moisture penetration. This ensures that they can safely operate when exposed to liquids. For devices with water filters, additional testing is done to ensure that moisture does not enter the electrical components.

Impact and Drop Testing:
Mechanical tests are performed to assess the device’s ability to withstand accidental impacts, such as being dropped or bumped. Casings, wheels, and other parts are tested to ensure they do not break or detach easily.
Power Cord and Plug Testing:

The power cord is a critical part of the vacuum cleaner, and it must meet specific safety requirements. Cord retention tests ensure that the cord cannot be easily pulled out of the device. Additionally, the cord’s insulation must be strong enough to withstand wear and tear.
Torsion and Flexing Tests: The power cord is twisted and bent repeatedly to ensure it can withstand long-term usage without breaking or exposing wires.

Filtration and Suction Testing:
Vacuum cleaners must meet performance standards for suction power, airflow, and dust filtration. The devices are tested to ensure that they can effectively clean surfaces while maintaining operational safety.
Filter Efficiency: Filtration systems are tested to ensure they can trap a high percentage of dust and allergens, especially in models marketed for households with allergy sufferers.

Motor Overload Testing:
Motors must be tested under overload conditions to ensure they have proper safety features such as thermal cutoffs or overload protection. This prevents the motor from burning out or causing a fire when subjected to excessive strain.

Stability Testing:
The stability of the device is tested to ensure it cannot easily tip over during use. This is particularly important for upright models, which are more prone to tipping than canister-style vacuums.

Conclusion
IEC 60335-2-2:2023 sets forth detailed requirements for the safety of vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances, covering a wide range of electrical, mechanical, and operational aspects. The standard ensures that these appliances can be used safely in households and similar environments. Manufacturers must adhere to these safety guidelines to minimize risks such as electric shock, fire, and mechanical failure. By following this standard, consumers can be confident that the vacuum cleaners and water-suction appliances they use meet stringent safety and performance criteria.

LISUN supplies the fully test solutions for the following IEC 60335-2-2:2023, please see the below excel table：

IEC 60335-2-2:2023 Clause and Subject	LISUN Model
6.2 water-suction cleaning appliance shall be at least IPX4	JL-34
11.3 Test probe of figure 105	SMT-T20
11.7 Heating	GDJS-015B
18 Endurance
Annex C Aging test on motors
13 leakage current and electric strength	WB2675D and WB2671B and WB2681A
21 Mechanical strength	IK01-06 and IK07-10 and DT-60KG
30.2.101 Glow wire flammability	ZRS-3H
30.2.102 Neeld flame tester	ZY-3
20.Z101 Figure Z101 foot probe	SMT-PA235A