Certification of conductive protective clothing
Live working requires specialized personal protective equipment that contributes to the safety and protection of the user. IEC 60895:2020 specifies the requirements for conductive protective clothing used when working on energized electrical installations. Centexbel supports manufacturers in testing, assessing, and certifying these products in accordance with applicable European regulations.
What is IEC 60895:2020?
IEC 60895:2020 applies to conductive protective clothing for live working applications. The standard covers clothing used when working on AC installations up to 1,000 kV and DC installations up to ±800 kV.
The standard distinguishes between two protection classes: class 1 for work up to 800 kV AC and ±600 kV DC, and class 2 for work up to 1,000 kV AC and ±800 kV DC. A conductive face shield solution is required for class 2.
The protective equipment consists of a complete system. In addition to a conductive jacket, trousers, or coverall, the ensemble may include gloves, socks, footwear, head protection, and a face shield. The standard assesses the performance of both the individual components and the complete system.
Electrical continuity and shielding
The electrical performance of the clothing is central to IEC 60895:2020. The complete clothing ensemble must form an electrically continuous system. All parts must be connected so that the body remains at the same electrical potential. This helps limit local differences in electrical potential during live working. The protective clothing must also reduce the influence of external electric fields. Conductive fibers or layers create a shielding effect comparable to the principle of a Faraday cage.
The standard assesses the electrical resistance and continuity of materials, garments, and components. Shielding efficiency is used to evaluate the performance of the conductive material. Screening efficiency assesses the shielding performance of the complete clothing ensemble. These properties contribute to the protection of workers in high-voltage environments.
Mechanical and material requirements
In addition to electrical properties, the standard sets requirements for the durability of the materials and their resistance to conditions of use.
The protective clothing must meet requirements relating to:
- tear resistance
- abrasion resistance
- mechanical strength
- flame-retardant properties
- retention of performance after cleaning and maintenance
These requirements are intended to ensure that protective performance is maintained after use, cleaning, and maintenance.
Testing at material, garment, and system level
IEC 60895:2020 describes a comprehensive assessment program for demonstrating the conformity of conductive protective clothing. This includes:
Material testing
- electrical resistance
- evaluation of conductive properties
- evaluation of shielding efficiency
- flame retardancy
- mechanical properties
Garment-level testing
- verification of electrical continuity between the different parts of the garment
- verification of connections and contact points
System-level testing
- measurement of screening efficiency
- assessment of the electrical performance of the complete clothing ensemble.
These tests are essential for determining whether the system achieves the required protective performance in practice.
Safety remains the priority
Conductive protective clothing helps limit exposure to electric fields and contributes to a controlled and safe working environment during live working. However, the protective clothing must always form part of a broader safety approach.
It is important to emphasize that IEC 60895:2020 is not intended as a standard for protection against all electrical hazards, such as the thermal effects of an electric arc.
A thorough risk assessment, appropriate working procedures, and suitable additional personal protective equipment therefore remain essential.
Technical support and conformity assessment
Centexbel guides manufacturers through the conformity assessment process for conductive protective clothing.
By combining in-house expertise with cooperation with specialized laboratories, Centexbel provides technical guidance, testing support, and certification. Depending on the type of test, testing is carried out at Centexbel or through specialized partners.
Testing and certification under Regulation (EU) 2016/425
Under the European PPE Regulation, Centexbel supports manufacturers with:
- the performance and follow-up of type tests
- the issuance of EU type-examination certificates (Module B)
- production control monitoring (Module C2)
- quality assurance of production processes (Module D)
By combining testing expertise with recognized certification capabilities, Centexbel provides a single integrated point of contact for manufacturers seeking to place conductive protective clothing on the European market.
More info
Would you like to learn more about the testing and certification requirements for conductive protective clothing according to IEC 60895:2020? Our experts can support you with material evaluation, type testing, and the certification process.
Partner
Contact
