Overview
IEC 63010-1:2017 defines halogen-free thermoplastic insulated and sheathed flexible cables for small devices and short connections to desktop electrical appliances where flexibility is critical. The standard covers construction, marking, identification and testing requirements for flexible cords (often called “cords”) with a rated voltage U0/U up to and including 300/300 V and a maximum operating temperature of 70 °C. It explicitly excludes fixed installations, extension leads and cordsets longer than 4 m, and does not impose smoke-evolution requirements.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and use: Flexible cables for small appliances and short desk connections; maximum operating temperature 70 °C; not for fixed wiring or long cordsets.
- Cable construction: Requirements for conductors, insulation, optional fillers, assembly and sheathing (materials, application, thickness and mechanical properties).
- Core identification and marking: Rules for colour coding, continuity, legibility and durability of marks for traceability and safety.
- Electrical and mechanical tests: Electrical properties, overall dimensions, mechanical strength of flexible cables and tests under specified conditions.
- Fire and halogen assessment: Procedures and limits for halogen acid gas content and acidity (referencing IEC 60754-1 and IEC 60754-2); flame propagation test references (IEC 60332-1-2).
- Material compatibility and ageing: Requirements and test methods for compatibility of insulating and sheathing materials, and thermal/mechanical ageing tests (referencing IEC 60811 series).
- Annexes and tables: Normative annexes specifying halogen assessment procedures, dimensional tables and compatibility test requirements.
Practical applications and users
Who uses IEC 63010-1:
- Cable and wire manufacturers developing halogen-free thermoplastic cords for appliances.
- Appliance and consumer electronics OEMs specifying compliant flexible cords for desktop devices.
- Design and compliance engineers ensuring product safety, material selection and marking conformity.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing specified electrical, mechanical and halogen tests.
- Procurement and quality teams verifying supplier compliance with international cable standards.
Typical applications:
- Short power cords for desktop printers, monitors, chargers and small household appliances where flexibility and low halogen content are required.
Related standards (selected)
Keywords: IEC 63010-1, halogen-free thermoplastic cables, flexible cables, 300/300 V, appliance cords, cable construction, cable testing, cable standard.