BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024
Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment. Outdoor enclosures. Environmental requirements, tests and safety aspects

Standard No.

BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024

Release Date

2024

Published By

British Standards Institution (BSI)  GB  /  BSI

Latest

BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024

Introduction

Standard Overview and Update Highlights

BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024 is the UK implementation version of IEC 61969-3:2023 and replaces the 2020 version of the standard. The main technical changes in the new version include:

• Aligned with the climatic conditions of the latest versions of ETSI EN 300 019 and IEC 60721 series
• Added explanation on the basis for selecting operating conditions
• The severity of vibration and shock tests is consistent with ETSI EN 300 019-2-4
• Added pass/fail criteria for each test

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Environmental level classification

Environmental level	Applicable conditions	Reference standard
Class 1	Temperate climate non-protected location (IEC 60721-3-4 Class 4K26)	4Z4/4B2/4C2/4S12/4M11
Class 2	Extreme tropical/polar climate (Class 4K25 or 4K27)	4Z5/4B2/4C2/4S12/4M11

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Key test items and requirements

Climate test

The test sample must include operable parts such as hinges and locks. The main test items include:

• Low temperature test: Class 1 requires -40°C for 16 hours
• Dry heat test: +85°C (including heat dissipation of electronic equipment and influence of solar radiation)
• UV Weathering: 1,000 hours Xenon arc test for metal coatings (ISO 4892-2)

Mechanical Tests

Test Items	Class 1	Class 2
Wind Resistance Test	30 m/s	50 m/s
Impact Test	IK09(10J)	IK10(20J)
Vibration Test	5-500Hz sinusoidal vibration, 10 sweeps in each of the 3 axes

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Safety and special requirements

Electromagnetic shielding performance

Optional test items, to be carried out in accordance with IEC 61587-3, focus on:

• Corrosion resistance of contact materials
• Cabinet grounding continuity

Flame gun test (optional for metal cabinets)

Shooting test with a 12-gauge shotgun at a distance of 15 meters:

• The projectile must not penetrate the cabinet wall
• Deformation of the shell is allowed but the protective function must be maintained

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Implementation recommendations

1. Material selection: Polymer materials that have passed the ISO 4892-3 UV aging test are preferred
2. Thermal management: Passive convection cooling is recommended in noise-restricted areas
3. Transport protection: Class 2 transportation conditions must take into account the impact of harsh road conditions
4. Local compliance: Public area installations must additionally meet regional regulatory requirements such as IEC 61439-5

BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024 Referenced Document

• ETSI EN 300 019-2-2 Environmental Engineering (EE); Environmental conditions and environmental tests for telecommunications equipment; Part 2-2: Specification of environmental tests; Transportation (V2.3.6)
• ETSI EN 300 019-2-4 Environmental Engineering (EE); Environmental conditions and environmental tests for telecommunications equipment; Part 2-4: Specification of environmental tests; Stationary use at non-weatherprotected locations (V2.4.6)
• IEC 60068-2-1 Environmental testing - Part 2-1: Tests - Test A: Cold*， 2025-04-18 Update
• IEC 60068-2-2 Environmental testing - Part 2-2: Tests - Test B: Dry heat*， 2025-04-01 Update
• IEC 60068-2-6 Environmental testing - Part 2-6: Tests - Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
• IEC 60529 Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures (IP Code) (Edition 2.1 ***Applies to French text only***)*， 2026-04-14 Update
• IEC 60721-3-2 Corrigendum 3 - Classification of environmental conditions - Part 3-2: Classification of groups of environmental parameters and their severities - Transportation and handling*， 2024-05-30 Update
• IEC 60721-3-4 Corrigendum 1 - Classification of environmental conditions - Part 3-4: Classification of groups of environmental parameters and their severities - Stationary use at non-weatherprotected locations
• IEC 61300-2-56:2020 Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components - Basic test and measurement procedures - Part 2-56: Tests - Wind resistance of mounted housing
• IEC 61439-5 Corrigendum 1 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks*， 2025-02-17 Update
• IEC 61587-1 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment - Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 series - Part 1: Environmental requirements, test setups and safety aspects
• IEC 61587-2 IEC 61587-2, Ed. 2.0: Mechanical structures for electronic equipment - Tests for IEC 60917 and 60297 - Part 2: Seismic tests for cabinets and racks
• IEC 61587-3 Mechanical structures for electronic equipment - Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 - Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks
• IEC 61969-1:2023 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment - Outdoor enclosures - Part 1: Design guidelines
• IEC 61969-3:2023 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment - Outdoor enclosures - Part 3: Environmental requirements, tests and safety aspects
• IEC 62194 Method of evaluating the thermal performance of enclosures
• IEC 62262 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK code)*， 2026-04-14 Update
• ISO 2533 Standard Atmospheric Technical Corrigendum 1
• ISO 3744 Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound pressure — Engineering methods for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane*， 2025-12-11 Update
• ISO 4892-2 Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps — Amendment 1: Classification of daylight filters
• ISO 4892-3 Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps*， 2024-10-01 Update

BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024 history

• 2024 BS EN IEC 61969-3:2024 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment. Outdoor enclosures. Environmental requirements, tests and safety aspects
• 2020 BS EN IEC 61969-3:2020 Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment. Outdoor enclosures. Environmental requirements, tests and safety aspects

Standard and Specification