IEC 61587-1:2011

IEC 61587-1
®

Edition 3.0 2011-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 series –
Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety aspects for cabinets,
racks, subracks and chassis under indoor conditions

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour les séries
CEI 60917 et CEI 60297 –
Partie 1: Exigences environnementales, montage d’essai et aspects de la
sécurité des baies, bâtis, bacs à cartes et châssis dans des conditions
d’intérieur

IEC 61587-1:2011

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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IEC 61587-1
®

Edition 3.0 2011-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 series –
Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up and safety aspects for cabinets,
racks, subracks and chassis under indoor conditions

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour les séries
CEI 60917 et CEI 60297 –
Partie 1: Exigences environnementales, montage d’essai et aspects de la
sécurité des baies, bâtis, bacs à cartes et châssis dans des conditions
d’intérieur

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX T
ICS 31.240 ISBN 978-2-88912-746-7

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope and object . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Classification of environmental conditions . 7
5 General . 8
6 Climatic tests . 9
6.1 General . 9
6.2 Cold, dry heat and damp heat (cyclic) . 9
6.3 Industrial atmosphere . 10
7 Mechanical tests. 11
7.1 General . 11
7.2 Static and dynamic mechanical load tests for subracks . 11
7.2.1 Static mechanical load tests . 11
7.2.2 Vibration and shock tests. 14
7.3 Static and dynamic mechanical load tests for cabinets and racks . 17
7.3.1 Lifting tests . 17
7.3.2 Stiffness tests . 18
7.3.3 Vibration and shock tests. 19
7.3.4 Impact tests . 21
8 Safety aspects . 22
8.1 General . 22
8.2 Earth bond . 22
8.2.1 General . 22
8.2.2 Test procedure . 22
8.3 Flammability . 22
8.4 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) . 22

Figure 1 – Test set up for subracks for the static load test . 11
Figure 2 – Static load test, single force for subracks IEC 60297 series . 12
Figure 3 – Static load test, single force for subracks IEC 60917 series . 13
Figure 4 – Test set up for subracks for vibration and shock tests . 14
Figure 5 – Lifting test for cabinets and racks . 17
Figure 6 – Stiffness test for cabinets and racks . 18
Figure 7 – Test set up for a cabinet for vibration and shock tests . 19

Table 1 – Examples showing references to tests . 8
Table 2 – Classifications for cold, dry heat and damp heat . 9
Table 3 – Classifications for industrial atmosphere . 10
Table 4 – Static mechanical load classifications for subracks of the IEC 60917 series . 13
Table 5 – Test set-up for subracks according to the IEC 60297 series . 15
Table 6 – Test set-up for subracks according to the IEC 60917 series . 15
Table 7 – Vibration and shock classifications for subracks . 16
Table 8 – Classifications levels for lifting and stiffness . 18

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61587-1  IEC:2011 – 3 –
Table 9 – Static load distribution within the cabinet . 19
Table 10 – Vibration and shock classifications for cabinets . 20
Table 11 – Impact classifications for cabinets . 21
Table 12 – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) . 23

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– 4 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 SERIES –

Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up
and safety aspects for cabinets, racks, subracks
and chassis under indoor conditions


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
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4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61587-1 has been prepared by IEC sub-committee 48D:
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment, of IEC technical committee 48:
Electromechanical components and mechanical structures for electronic equipment.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2007. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
1) Rephrasing “performance level” by “classification”.
2) Reference to fire hazard testing according to IEC 60695-11-10 in 8.2.1.
3) Intended applications replaced by application examples.

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61587-1  IEC:2011 – 5 –
4) Static load test, distributed dummy load locations for ETSI and 19” removed.
5) Table “Static load distribution within the cabinet” IEC 60297-2 changed to IEC 60297-3-
100.
6) IEC 60917 subrack 625 mm wide has been removed, as it is not a common width.
7) Parts of the document relevant to outdoors have been removed (reference to 61969
series).
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
48D/481/FDIS 48D/495/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
A list of all parts of the IEC 61587 series, under the general title Mechanical structures for
electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297 series, can be found on the IEC
website.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

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– 6 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 SERIES –

Part 1: Environmental requirements, test set-up
and safety aspects for cabinets, racks, subracks
and chassis under indoor conditions



1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61587 specifies environmental requirements, test set-up, as well as safety
aspects for empty enclosures, i.e. cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis under indoor
conditions.
The purpose of this standard is to establish defined levels of physical performance in order to
meet certain requirements of storage, transport and final location conditions. It applies in
whole or part only to the mechanical structures of cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis, but
it does not apply to electronic equipment.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-1, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-1, Environmental testing – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
IEC 60068-2-2, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-6, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests– Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-11, Environmental testing – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka: Salt mist
IEC 60068-2-27, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests– Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60068-2-30, Environmental testing – Part 2-30: Tests– Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic (12 h +
12 h cycle)
IEC 60068-2-42, Environmental testing – Part 2-42: Tests – Test Kc: Sulphur dioxide test for
contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-43, Environmental testing – Part 2-43: Tests – Test Kd: Hydrogen sulphide test
for contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-49, Environmental testing – Part 2-49: Tests – Guidance to test Kc: Sulphur
dioxide test for contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-52, Environmental testing – Part 2-52: Tests – Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic (sodium,
chloride solution)

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61587-1  IEC:2011 – 7 –
IEC 60068-2-75, Environmental testing – Part 2-75: Tests – Test Eh: Hammer tests
IEC 60297 (all parts), Dimensions of mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series
IEC 60512-1-1, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements – Part 1-1:
General examination – Test 1a: Visual examination
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60654-4, Operating conditions for industrial-process measurement and control equipment
– Part 4: Corrosive and erosive influences
IEC 60695-11-10, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-10: 50 W horizontal and vertical flame test
methods
IEC 60721-3-3, Classification of environmental conditions – Part 3: Classification of groups of
environmental parameters and their severities – Section 3: Stationary use at
weatherprotected locations
IEC 60917, (all parts), Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for
electronic equipment practices
IEC 60950-1, Information technology equipment – Safety – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 61010-1, Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 61587-2, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 2: Seismic tests for cabinets and racks
IEC 61587-3: 2006, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets, racks and
subracks
IEC 62262, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against
external mechanical impacts (IK code)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
indoor condition
a location at which the product is protected from weather influences
3.2
test sample
the unit under test, dummy loaded where necessary in order to achieve realistic results
4 Classification of environmental conditions
The climatic conditions are derived from IEC 60721-3-3 and IEC 60654-4.
The shock and vibration conditions are derived from IEC 60721-3-3.

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– 8 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
The product specification in accordance with this standard may use the one or other severity
class. Combinations are also permitted.
5 General
The purpose of the mechanical tests is to ensure that cabinets, racks, subracks and chassis
will survive the normal handling during manufacture, storage, transportation, installation and
in the service environment.
In order to have, for the enclosure itself, some safety margin built-in, all classification
parameters are higher than parameters for the overall application itself. This should ensure
proper working of a complete unit in an application.
Unless otherwise specified all tests shall be done at room temperature (+20 °C – 25 °C).
The specified classifications of performance and kinds of tests of this standard can be
combined as required. Compliance to individual subclauses and levels is permissible.
Individual tests and severities are referred to by letters and numbers (see Table 1 for
examples which show a selection of representative and well-known values from each
subclause and relevant table).
The various tests should be performed using the same sample wherever it is possible.
Experience has shown that the sequence of tests listed in this standard (see also
IEC 60068-1) enables the test sequence to be performed using the same test sample except
where the individual test results preclude further testing of the same sample, i.e. the test
damages (destroys) the sample.
Table 1 – Examples showing references to tests
Test Subrack IEC 60297 Subrack IEC 60917 Cabinet
series series
Climatic C1 C2 C3
Industrial atmosphere A1 A2 A3
Static load SL1 SL1 SL2 SL3 SL4 SL5 SL6
Dynamic load DL1 DL2 DL3 DL4 DL5 DL6
(shock and vibration)

Impact – – K1 K2 K3
Protection (IP) IP20 IP20 IP20 IP30 IP42 IP54
Seismic performance – Ref IEC 61587-2
Shielding performance Ref IEC 61587-3

Application example:
A subrack in accordance with IEC 60917-2-2 complies with the following test requirements:
– climatic: C2 (see Table 2);
– industrial atmosphere: A1 (see Table 3);
– static load: SL2 (see Table 4);
– shock and vibration: DL1 (see Table 7);
– safety aspects: 8.2.1;
– protection to: IP30 (see Table 12).

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61587-1  IEC:2011 – 9 –
6 Climatic tests
6.1 General
It is the objective of the climatic tests to ensure that cabinets, racks and subracks will survive
the particular environment in which they will normally operate without degradation or creating
a hazard.
Climatic tests shall be selected by reference to the application examples given in Table 2 for
cabinets, racks and subracks.
In order to claim compliance at a given level, all test criteria for that requirement level shall be
met.
6.2 Cold, dry heat and damp heat (cyclic)
Table 2 – Classifications for cold, dry heat and damp heat
Classification Application examples Cold Dry heat Damp heat according
according to according to to IEC 60068-2-30
IEC 60068-2-1 IEC 60068-2-2 (cyclic 2×), variant 2,
upper limit
Tempe- Duration Tempe- Duration
rature (see rature (see
Note) Note)
°C h °C h °C
C1 Enclosed spaces without –10 16 55 16 55
particular stresses (for
example office, laboratory)
with temperatures between
–10 °C and +55 °C, 20 % to
80 % RH: non-condensing
C2 Enclosed spaces subject to –25 16 70 16 55
climatic stress (for example
production halls) with
temperatures between
–25 °C and +70 °C, 20 % to
80 % RH: non-condensing
C3 Extreme climatic stresses –40 16 85 16 55
(for example open air,
tropical climate) with
temperatures between
–40 °C and +85 °C, 20 % to
95 % RH: non-condensing
NOTE The duration shall be measured from the moment temperature stability of the test sample is reached.

Assessment following the tests:
a) Visual examination (see IEC 60512-1-1, test 1a).
b) Earth bond continuity check to be carried out in accordance with 8.2.
c) For shielding performance examination see IEC 61587-3 ( Table 1).

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– 10 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
6.3 Industrial atmosphere
Table 3 – Classifications for industrial atmosphere
Classification Application examples Test conditions Assessment following
the test
Sulphur dioxide test Salt mist test
and hydrogen sulphide Ka according
test, at 25 °C and 75 % to IEC 60068-
RH (extended range at 2-11
40 °C and 80 % RH) at 35 °C
according to (extended
IEC 60068-2-42, range as
IEC 60068-2-43 and IEC 60068-2-
IEC 60068-2-49 52)
SO H S NaCl
2 2
3 3 3 3
A1 Moderate concentration of 10 cm /m 1 cm /m Visual examination (for
harmful substances, general example alteration in
4 days 4 days
industrial use with low
surface finish, traces of
chemical emissions (for corrosion, colour, degree

example enclosed spaces) and of lustre)
–
concentrations according to
For shielding
IEC 60654-4, namely;
performance examination
3 3
SO : mean 0,1 cm /m see IEC 61587-3
2
maximum
(Table 1)
3 3
0,5 cm /m
3 3
A2 Heavy concentration of 25 cm /m (10 to 15) Visual examination (for
3 3
harmful substances, with cm /m example alteration in
considerable chemical surface finish, traces of
4 days 4 days
emissions (for example corrosion, colour, degree
chemical industry, field work) of lustre).

and concentrations according
Variation in resistance of
to IEC 60654-4 namely:
– earthing conductor
3 3
SO : mean 5 cm /m junctions, see 6.1
2
maximum
For shielding
3 3
15 cm /m
performance examination
3 3
H S: mean 10 cm /m see IEC 61587-3
2
maximum
(Table 1)
3 3
50 cm /m
3 3
A3 Heavy concentration of 25 cm /m (10 to 15) 5 % Visual examination (for
3 3
harmful substances combined cm /m 96 h at 35°C example alteration in
with stress due to maritime surface finish, traces of
4 days 4 days Extended
climate (for example seaborne corrosion, colour, degree
range:
chemical processing of lustre)
technology, drilling rigs) and
5%
Variation in resistance of
concentrations according to
earthing conductor
1 cycle: 146 h
IEC 60654-4, namely:
junctions, see 6.1
at 35 °C
3 3
SO : mean 5 cm /m
2
For shielding
maximum
performance examination
3 3
15 cm /m
see IEC 61587-3
3 3
H S: mean 10 cm /m
2
(Table 1)
maximum
3 3
50 cm /m
NOTE The tests may be performed on individual components and sample units or component assemblies instead of the
original units (subracks, cabinets) if the replacement items and the original sample share the same materials and surface
treatments.

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61587-1  IEC:2011 – 11 –
7 Mechanical tests
7.1 General
Mechanical tests shall be selected from the following subclauses according to the required
application. Compliance to a given subclause is only achieved when all test criteria from that
subclause are met.
7.2 Static and dynamic mechanical load tests for subracks
7.2.1 Static mechanical load tests
7.2.1.1 General
The purpose of the test is to evaluate the load bearing capability of the structural parts of
subracks or the subrack as part of the chassis. The deflection of the horizontal members is
used as an indirect measure of the load bearing capability of the subrack and shall be less
than the defined value. This will prevent disengagement of the plug-in units from the guide
rails.
Test set up and test sample fixture:
– The test sample shall be mounted in a test fixture via the standard subrack mounting
flanges as shown in Figure 1.

Subrack
Top view
Test fixture
Front view
IEC  2403/11

Figure 1 – Test set up for subracks for the static load test

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– 12 – 61587-1  IEC:2011
7.2.1.2 Subracks IEC 60297 series
Load distribution for classification SL1 (Figure 2).
For U see IEC 60297-1, for D and HP see IEC 60297-3-101.

D
P3
n × U
Maximum deflection
42 HP
less than 0,4 mm
84 HP
IEC  2404/11

Single point load P3 = 46 N
NOTE A single point load shall be applied equally to all lower horizontal members along the centre line of the
subrack.
Figure 2 – Static load test, single force for subra
...