TS EN IEC 60445
Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors
IEC 60445:2021 is available as IEC 60445:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 60445:2021 applies to the identification and marking of terminals of electrical equipment such as resistors, fuses, relays, contactors, transformers, rotating machines and, wherever applicable, to combinations of such equipment (e.g. assemblies), and also applies to the identification of terminations of certain designated conductors. It also provides general rules for the use of certain colours or alphanumeric notations to identify conductors with the aim of avoiding ambiguity and ensuring safe operation. These conductor colours or alphanumeric notations are intended to be applied in cables or cores, busbars, electrical equipment and installations. This basic safety publication is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51. It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104. IEC 60445:2021 cancels and replaces the sixth edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) the definitions have been aligned with IEC 60050-195:2021 and IEC 60050-826; b) the provisions for colour to be used for identification of certain designated conductors are made requirements and not only recommendations; c) introduction of a new subclause on marking of protective terminals for multiple power supply inputs on equipment.
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About This Item
TS EN IEC 60445 addresses the basic and safety principles for identifying equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors. It provides a structured approach to terminal marking and to the use of colours or alphanumeric notations for identifying certain conductors, with the broader aim of reducing ambiguity and supporting safe operation.
The standard applies to the identification and marking of terminals on electrical equipment such as resistors, fuses, relays, contactors, transformers and rotating machines, and where applicable to combinations of such equipment. It also covers the identification of terminations of certain designated conductors and gives general rules for conductor identification in cables or cores, busbars, electrical equipment and installations. In general technical terms, clear identification helps installers, inspectors and maintenance staff trace circuits correctly, distinguish similar conductors and reduce the likelihood of wiring errors.
Why terminal and conductor identification matters
In electrical engineering, identification is not just labeling; it is part of how systems are understood and worked on safely. Terminals indicate where connections are made, while conductor identification helps distinguish functional paths such as supply, control and protective conductors. By setting a common framework for markings and colours, IEC 60445 supports consistency across equipment and installations and helps technical committees align related standards with basic safety principles.
- Identification of equipment terminals
- Marking of certain conductor terminations
- General rules for colour or alphanumeric conductor identification
- Application to cables, cores, busbars, equipment and installations
- Basis for consistent safety-oriented terminology in related standards
- Publication Date: 30.09.2021
- Standard Status: U (Yürürlükteki Standard/Standard)
- Publisher: TSE
- Document Language: en
- ICS Classification: 01.080.20 Özel Ekipmanlarda Kullanılan Grafik Semboller ; 13.110 Makinaların Güvenliği ; 29.020 Elektrik Mühendisliği (Genel)
- Pages: 36
- Source Standard: EN IEC 60445:2021
- International Equivalents: EN IEC 60445-EQV; IEC 60445-EQV
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