Overview
IEC TS 60204-34:2016 - Safety of machinery: Electrical equipment of machines - Part 34: Requirements for machine tools is a Technical Specification from the IEC 60204 series that supplements IEC 60204-1 with requirements specific to machine tools (turning, milling, grinding, machining centres, EDM, laser processing machines, presses, saws, etc.). It applies to electrical, electronic and programmable electronic equipment of machine tools that are not hand-portable during operation and covers single machines and coordinated groups of machines. Power circuits where electrical energy is used directly as the working tool are excluded.
This document is intended to be used together with IEC 60204-1 and contains additional definitions, application guidance and informative annexes addressing EMC, numerical control, graphical symbols, reference designations, wiring examples and component-related standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
Key technical topics and clause references include:
- General requirements and scope (clauses 1–4) - how Part 34 supplements Part 1
- Incoming supply terminations, disconnecting and switching (clause 5)
- Protection against electric shock and protection of equipment (clauses 6–7)
- Equipotential bonding and earthing (clause 8)
- Control circuits and control functions including safety-related controls, SIL/PL considerations (clause 9; Table 2 lists SIL and PL)
- Operator interface and machine-mounted controls (clause 10) - layout, indicators and meanings (colours for indicator lights)
- Controlgear location, enclosures, wiring practices and cable conductors (clauses 11–13)
- Electric motors and associated equipment; socket-outlets and lighting (clauses 14–15)
- Marking, warning signs, reference designations and technical documentation (clauses 16–17)
- Verification and testing (clause 18)
- Informative annexes: AA (EMC), BB (numerical control), CC (graphical symbols), DD (reference designations), EE (example wiring/diagrams), FF (related component standards)
Practical applications and users
Who uses IEC TS 60204-34:
- Machine tool designers and OEMs for safe electrical design and documentation
- Control-system integrators and electrical engineers implementing CNC/NC systems
- Functional safety engineers assessing SIL/PL requirements for safety functions
- Maintenance teams and safety managers maintaining compliance and performing verification
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors using the verification/testing guidance
- Technical writers and documentation teams preparing electrical diagrams and manuals
Practical uses:
- Designing compliant control panels, wiring and operator interfaces
- Performing risk reduction measures and selecting safety-related components
- Preparing technical documentation, electrical schematics and verification records
- Ensuring EMC, interlocks and numerical control systems meet machine-tool-specific needs
Related standards
Keywords: IEC TS 60204-34, machine tools, electrical equipment, safety of machinery, electrical safety, CNC, numerical control, SIL, PL, equipotential bonding, wiring practices.