EN-IEC 61482-2:2020
An electric arc is one of the most dangerous hazards electrical workers can face. Temperatures can reach up to 20,000°C, producing intense heat, light, and pressure that cause life-threatening injuries in milliseconds. EN-IEC 61482-2:2020 sets the European requirements for protective clothing designed to reduce these risks.
This standard supersedes IEC 61482-2:2009 and defines test methods and performance levels for garments protecting against the thermal hazards of electric arc.
Scope of EN-IEC 61482-2:2020
The standard covers:
- Protective clothing for electrical workers exposed to arc flash risks
- Thermal hazards such as heat, flame, and molten metal projection
It does not cover:
- Electric shock
- Noise, pressure rise, light emission, or toxic influences
- Protection for eyes, face, head, hands, or feet (separate standards apply)
Arc Testing Methods
-
Open Arc Test Method (EN-IEC 61482-1-1:2019)
Origin: North America (ASTM F1959)
Measures: Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV), Energy Breakopen Threshold (EBT), or Incident Energy Limit (ELIM)
Results expressed in: cal/cm²
Principle: the garment’s arc rating must be higher than the calculated incident arc energy for the work environment. -
Box Test Method (EN-IEC 61482-1-2:2015)
Origin: Europe
Test setup: fabric sample or complete garment is exposed to an electric arc from a 4kA or 7kA short circuit (≤500 ms)
Material Test: evaluates heat transmission, after-flame, hole formation, and melting
Garment Test: assesses overall garment integrity, seams, closures, and fastenings
Output: does not measure energy values, but assigns a protection class (APC).
Arc Protection Classes (APC)
The Box Test Method defines two protection classes:
| Arc Protection Class | Short Circuit Current | Arc Energy | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| APC 1 | 4 kA | 168 kJ | Protection against lower-level arc flash risks |
| APC 2 | 7 kA | 320 kJ | Higher protection for more severe arc flash scenarios |
Why EN-IEC 61482-2 Matters
Arc flash is not limited to power stations. It is a risk across industries where electrical work is routine:
- Maritime & Offshore – shipboard electrical systems demand arc-rated clothing for crew safety.
- Petrochemical – critical in plants with complex high-voltage networks and explosive atmospheres.
- Construction – electricians and maintenance teams face arc flash hazards during installations and repairs.
Compliance with EN-IEC 61482-2 means workers are equipped with garments proven to reduce injury severity in the event of an arc incident.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Open Arc and Box Test methods?
- Open Arc (North American method) gives a quantitative arc rating in cal/cm².
- Box Test (European method) assigns garments to APC 1 or APC 2 based on practical arc exposure.