Standards Development

Scope

This part of IEC 63232-1-1 specifies test method procedures to determine the arc rating of hand protective devices or assemblies of hand protective devices for workers if there is an electric arc hazard.An open arc under controlled laboratory conditions is used to determine the arc rating values ELIM, ATPV or EBT of hand protective devices.This document is not dedicated to classifying the arc protective performance of the hand protective devices into arc protection classes. Procedures determining these arc protection classes are specified in IEC 63232‑1-2, which uses a constrained arc for testing.NOTE: The user can classify the arc protective performance into arc rating protection levels based on ELIM, ATPV and/or EBT values which correspond best to the different hazard and risks levels that can result from the user’s risk analysis.This test method is not intended and not appropriate to evaluate whether hand protective devices are flame resistant or not, as this will be covered in a future standard IEC 63232-2.Hand protective devices for work intentionally using an electric arc, e.g., arc welding, plasma torch, is not covered by this standard.This test method does not make any statement on the dielectric properties of the hand protective devices before, during or after the arc.  Use other standards to determine those properties.NOTE: One glove may be insufficient to provide adequate protection, in such cases glove systems may need to be used in order to give complete protection to the hands for the intended use.Other effects than the thermal effects of an electric arc like noise, light emissions, pressure rise, hot oil, electric shock, the consequences of physical and mental shock or toxic influences are not covered by this standard.