Standards Development

Scope

This part of IEC 60598 covers lighting chains fitted with series, parallel or a combination of series/parallel connected light sources for use either indoors or outdoors on supply voltages not exceeding 250 V.

For combinations where rope lights (also known as sealed lighting chains) are included, see IEC 60598-2-21.

Lighting chains provided with fixed or detachable attachments for example ornamental or decorative, are considered to be covered by this document. 

For lighting chains fitted with lampholders of the push-in type, the appropriate requirements of this document applies.

This document covers the following lighting chains:

a)      permanently installed lighting chains;

b)      temporarily installed lighting chains;

c)      temporarily installed protected lighting (TPL) chains.

NOTE 1 Festoon lighting chain – a lighting chain that is supported by the supply cable or fixed at the lampholder and is permanently connected to the fixed wiring. Festoon lighting chains are primarily suitable for permanent indoor or outdoor lighting applications.

NOTE 2 Decorative lighting chain – a lighting chain that is supported by the supply cable and is temporarily connected to the fixed wiring. Decorative lighting chains are primarily suitable for domestic, indoor or indoor/outdoor temporary lighting applications, see Figure 1 for examples.

NOTE 3 Temporarily installed protected lighting (TPL) chain – a lighting chain where each lampholder is fixed to the building or structure and the light source is enclosed by a protective enclosure and is temporarily connected to the fixed wiring. Temporarily installed protected lighting chains are primarily suitable for use in rough service lighting applications.

For lighting chains with non-standardized lamps (e.g. lamps of the push-in type) the lamps are regarded as a part of the lighting chain and consequently included in the testing.

NOTE 4 For products where the lighting chain is permanently fixed to a frame or pre-lit Christmas tree the relevant clauses of IEC 60598-2-4 can also apply.

NOTE 5 In some countries the term "strings" is used instead of "chains".

NOTE 6 Candlestick luminaries are tested according to IEC 60598-2-4.