Overview
IEC 60335-2-104:2003 is the IEC particular-standard for the safety of electrical appliances used to recover and/or recycle refrigerant from air‑conditioning and refrigeration equipment. It supplements and modifies the general safety requirements in IEC 60335-1 and applies to appliances incorporating open drive or motor‑compressors with rated voltages up to 250 V single‑phase and 600 V for other appliances. The standard addresses normal and foreseeable abnormal operation to protect against electrical, mechanical, thermal, fire and radiation hazards.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and application: Household and similar appliances and service equipment for shops, light industry and farms; excludes dedicated industrial processing units and devices for corrosive/explosive atmospheres.
- Electrical safety: Requirements for protection against access to live parts, leakage current, dielectric strength and transient overvoltages; references IEC 60335-1 for general clauses.
- Motor and compressor considerations: Special provisions when motor‑compressors are used; normative reference to IEC 60335-2-34.
- Mechanical and thermal tests: Endurance, abnormal operation, mechanical strength, stability and heating tests with specified temperature limit tables and maximum winding temperatures.
- Marking and instructions: Mandatory markings, rated voltage/current, and user/service instructions to ensure safe use and matching of multiple assemblies.
- Test methods and annexes: Includes annexes for vacuum levels (AA), particulate definitions for contaminated refrigerant (BB), compatibility tests (CC) and swelling oil requirements (DD).
- Regulatory interaction: Notes compatibility with wiring rules (IEC 60364) and cross‑reference to refrigeration safety in ISO 5149.
Practical applications and users
- Manufacturers designing or certifying refrigerant recovery/recycling machines and service tools.
- Component suppliers (motors, compressors, pressure/vacuum controls) ensuring parts meet appliance-level safety.
- Test laboratories performing type testing, endurance and abnormal‑condition tests in accordance with IEC methods.
- Compliance officers, procurement teams and regulators assessing conformity for market access.
- Service organizations selecting equipment for safe refrigerant handling in HVAC/R repair and maintenance.
Related standards
- IEC 60335-1 - General safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances (base standard).
- IEC 60335-2-34 - Particular requirements for motor‑compressors (normative reference).
- ISO 5149 - Safety requirements for mechanical refrigerating systems (informative cross‑reference).
Complying with IEC 60335-2-104 helps manufacturers and service providers demonstrate that refrigerant recovery and recycling appliances meet internationally recognized electrical and mechanical safety practices for household and similar use.
Open preview (PDF)Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-104: Particular requirements for appliances to recover and/or recycle refrigerant from air conditioning and refrigeration equipment
