IEC 61010-031:2015/AMD1:2018 is an amendment to the IEC 61010 series that updates safety requirements for hand‑held and hand‑manipulated probe assemblies used in electrical test and measurement. It refines definitions, test methods and construction requirements to reduce electric shock, partial‑discharge and mechanical risks for probe assemblies, probe tips and connectors used with measuring equipment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Updated definitions - clarifications to terms such as TERMINAL, CONNECTOR and MEASUREMENT CATEGORY to align safety language with probe assembly use.
- Protection against electric shock - revised rules for identifying accessible parts, required protective measures (double/reinforced insulation, protective impedance), and the use of protective fingerguards and tactile indicators.
- Probe tips and connectors - requirements for probe tips used as connectors, including testing in both fully‑mated and partially‑mated conditions.
- Solid insulation - replacement of previous clause with comprehensive guidance on solid insulation behaviour, ageing, voids and partial discharge; manufacturers must validate solid insulation by both short‑term (transient) and long‑term stress tests.
- Clearances and creepage - new/updated CLEARANCE values and conformity procedures for probe assemblies rated for Measurement Categories II, III and IV.
- Electrical testing - specified a.c. and impulse test voltages for electric strength testing of solid insulation and guidance for deriving long‑term test voltages for BASIC, SUPPLEMENTARY and REINFORCED insulation.
- Mechanical and thermal tests - changes to duty cycle terminology (short‑term or intermittent operation) and revised temperature rise measurement methods (add temperature rise to a 40 °C ambient or rated ambient).
Applications - who uses this standard
- Probe and accessory manufacturers designing hand‑held/hand‑manipulated probes, spring‑loaded clips and shielded test probes.
- Product safety engineers ensuring probe assemblies meet electrical clearance, insulation and touch‑current requirements.
- Test laboratories and compliance bodies performing dielectric, impulse and ageing tests specified by the amendment.
- Design teams in instrumentation, electronics manufacturing and calibration services who integrate probes with multimeters, oscilloscopes and portable testers.
Practical value
- Ensures safe design and testing of probe assemblies for use on mains circuits across Measurement Categories II–IV.
- Reduces risk of operator electric shock and long‑term insulation failure by enforcing more robust material selection and test regimes.
- Helps manufacturers demonstrate conformity to international safety expectations and facilitates market access.
Related standards
- IEC 61010 (general safety requirements for measurement, control and laboratory equipment), Part 031 (base document).
- Relevant IEC test and insulation standards referenced within the IEC 61010 series.
Open preview (PDF)Amendment 1 - Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - Part 031: Safety requirements for hand-held and hand-manipulated probe assemblies for electrical test and measurement.
