Overview
EN IEC 60238:2018/A1:2018 is the CENELEC adoption of IEC 60238 (Edition 9) with Amendment A1 and the January 2018 corrigendum included. The standard specifies requirements for Edison screw lampholders (lamp caps and holders) used with screw-base lamps. It provides definitions, marking rules and essential safety dimensions (creepage distances and clearances) to support safe design, testing and conformity with the EU Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU).
Key topics and technical requirements
- New and clarified terms: rated voltage, working voltage, rated current, critical frequency, ignition voltage and ignition pulse voltage, rated ignition voltage, maximum working voltage and equivalent transformed peak voltage - important for designers and test labs when assessing withstand and insulation performance.
- Marking requirements: lampholders must be marked with the rated voltage (V) and, when applicable, the rated ignition voltage (kV). Specific thresholds trigger marking: when ignition voltage exceeds 2.5 kV for lampholders rated 250 V and 4 kV for lampholders rated 500 V.
- Creepage distances and clearances: replacement Tables 13a and 13b define minimum creepage and clearance values for impulse withstand categories II and III at rated voltages (50, 150, 250, 500 V). The tables address:
- basic and reinforced insulation,
- material tracking properties (PTI/CTI considerations per IEC 60112),
- how equivalent DC or peak voltages are used for evaluation,
- country-specific notes (e.g., Japan requiring larger values).
- Relationship to EU legislation: Annex ZZ maps clauses of EN IEC 60238 to the safety objectives of Directive 2014/35/EU, giving a presumption of conformity for applicable manufacturers when cited in the Official Journal.
Applications and users
This standard is relevant to:
- Lampholder and luminaire manufacturers designing Edison screw holders to ensure electrical safety and market access across CENELEC countries.
- Component and materials engineers selecting insulating materials, assessing PTI (proof tracking index) and creepage/clearance needs.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing dielectric and ignition-voltage tests, and verifying marking and documentation.
- Regulatory and product compliance teams using the standard to demonstrate conformity with the Low Voltage Directive and associated national standards.
Related standards
Relevant referenced documents in the amendment include:
EN IEC 60238:2018/A1:2018 is essential for anyone designing, testing or certifying Edison screw lampholders and seeking clear requirements for insulation, ignition voltage and markings to meet European safety and regulatory expectations.
