1. Exploring the Test Corner: Definition and Background
In the safety testing of electrical products, the IEC 60335-1 temperature rise test corner plays a crucial role. It is a professional testing device carefully designed in accordance with the IEC 60335-1 standard issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its main purpose is to simulate the actual operating environment of electrical appliances for temperature rise testing.
In terms of appearance, it usually consists of two mutually perpendicular walls and a floor. It looks just like a corner of a room, which is why it is called the “test corner“. By simulating real usage scenarios—such as an appliance placed against a wall or used in a corner—the test corner allows inspectors to accurately measure the temperature rise of various components during the appliance’s operation. This helps determine whether the appliance has an overheating risk, thus protecting the user’s personal safety and property.
2. Standard of IEC60335-1
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is an authoritative international organization responsible for formulating and issuing electrical standards. To regulate the safety testing of electrical products, it has developed a series of detailed and strict standards through extensive research and practice. Among them, IEC60335-1 is a general standard for the safety of household and similar electrical appliances. In this standard, temperature rise testing is a key part of evaluating the thermal safety performance of electrical appliances. Thus, the temperature rise test corner came into being. It has become an important line of defense to ensure electrical safety and protect consumers’ rights and interests.
3. Structure of Test Corner
3.1 Main structure
The main structure of the IEC60335-1 temperature rise test corner is the basis for simulating real environments. It is mainly made of plywood with a thickness of about 20mm. This type of plywood has specific physical and thermal properties. It can accurately simulate the wall and floor materials in actual usage scenarios.
The front of the plywood is painted with matte black paint. This design is crucial. The characteristic of matte black paint is that it can effectively absorb thermal radiation. It avoids interference from light reflection on test results. At the same time, it can simulate the common dark, light-absorbing surface properties in real environments, making the test environment more realistic.
In terms of overall shape, the test corner has a structure of two mutually perpendicular walls and a floor, just like a corner of a room. This structural design allows electrical appliances to be tested in a way similar to being placed against a wall or in a corner during actual use, fully enduring the test of the thermal environment.
3.2 Temperature Sensor
To accurately measure the temperature changes of electrical appliances during testing, the test corner is equipped with professional temperature measurement devices. Thermocouples are key temperature-sensing components here. They use thin-wire thermocouples with a diameter of less than 0.3mm. Common types include K-type, T-type, and J-type, which can be selected based on different testing needs.
These thin-wire thermocouples feature fast response speeds and high measurement accuracy, enabling them to quickly capture subtle temperature changes. They work with temperature-measuring copper sheets. These sheets are made of brass, with a diameter of 15mm and a thickness of 1mm, and their surfaces are blackened. The purpose of blackening is to enhance their ability to absorb thermal radiation, allowing their temperature to more accurately reflect the actual temperature of the surrounding environment.
These temperature-measuring copper sheets are arranged in a regular pattern at key positions of the test corner, such as walls, floors, and top plates. They are usually spaced 100mm×100mm apart, forming a dense temperature measurement network. The head of each thermocouple is tightly attached to the back of a temperature-measuring copper sheet. The measured temperature signals are led out through wires and concentrated on a terminal block. Alternatively, thermocouple plugs and sockets can be optional, facilitating connection with devices like temperature recorders. This enables real-time collection and recording of temperature data from each measurement point. Through such a sophisticated temperature measurement device, comprehensive and accurate temperature rise data of electrical appliances during testing can be obtained, providing a reliable basis for subsequent safety performance evaluation.
3.3 Design of Movable Features
For the convenience of actual testing operations, the temperature rise test corner is equipped with 4 movable casters at the bottom, with a total height of about 100mm. These casters are generally designed as universal wheels, allowing flexible steering. This makes the test corner easy to move within the laboratory. It enables staff to easily transport it to a suitable testing position or adjust its placement direction according to different testing needs.
With the rapid development of science and technology, electrical appliance technology is advancing with each passing day. The IEC 60335-1 temperature rise test corner is also evolving in multiple directions. This helps it better meet the development needs of the industry.
