What is IEC 62368-1? The Importance of Safety Standards for Industrial Computers
What is IEC 62368-1? (International)
IEC 62368-1 is an international safety standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It is titled "Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements." This standard sets out safety requirements for various types of audio, video, and information technology equipment, including devices used in commercial, residential, and industrial settings.
IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition, being the most recent revision to the standard, is the successor to two previous standards: IEC 60065 for audio/video equipment and IEC 60950-1 for information technology equipment. It was developed to address the convergence of technologies and to provide a unified approach to safety requirements for modern devices.
The standard adopts a hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) approach, which means that it focuses on identifying potential hazards associated with equipment and implementing measures to mitigate those risks. It takes into account potential hazards such as electric shock, fire, mechanical hazards, and energy sources.
Compliance with IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition is essential for manufacturers and designers of audio, video, and information technology equipment to ensure products meet international safety standards.
What is UL 62368 Ed. 3? (North America)
IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition and UL 62368-1 Ed. 3 are related in that they both address the safety requirements for audio, video, information, and communication technology equipment. UL-62368-1 Ed. 3, on the other hand, refers to the certification standard offered by Underwriters Laboratories for assessing compliance with the requirements of IEC 62368-1. UL certifies products to the existing edition of the IEC standard, which is currently the third edition. It’s important to note, UL-62368-1 refers to the UL certification process for assessing compliance with IEC 62368-1 and does not have a separate standard of its own but aligns with the current edition of the IEC standard. Manufacturers seeking certification and compliance with IEC 62368-1 can engage with testing and certification bodies, such as UL, to undergo the evaluation process based on the latest edition of the IEC standard.
UL 62368-1 Ed. 3 standard combines and replaces two previous standards: UL-60950-1 for information technology equipment and UL-60065 for audio/video equipment. It is designed to align with modern technology and address potential safety risks associated with new and emerging technologies.
The 3rd Edition of UL-62368-1 also focuses on a hazard-based approach to safety and emphasizes the evaluation of energy sources, fire, electric shock, mechanical hazards, and other potential risks associated with the use of such equipment. For more information on UL 62368-1: https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL62368-1
What are the main differences between IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition and UL 62368-1?
The main differences between IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition and UL-62368-1 lie in their certification processes, regional applicability, and specific requirements. Here are the key distinctions:
- Certification Process: IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition is an international safety standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Compliance with this standard requires manufacturers to meet the specified safety requirements and undergo testing and evaluation by accredited testing laboratories. UL-62368-1, on the other hand, refers to the certification process offered by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an accredited testing lab. UL provides certification services based on the requirements of IEC 62368-1 and their own additional criteria and is recognized as a global safety science leader.
- Regional Applicability: IEC 62368-1 is an internationally recognized standard applicable to various countries and regions. It provides a unified approach to safety requirements for audio, video, information, and communication technology equipment across different markets. UL-62368-1, on the other hand, is primarily associated with the certification process conducted by Underwriters Laboratories, which is commonly recognized and accepted in the North American market. Manufacturers seeking to sell products in North America often pursue UL certification, including compliance with UL-62368-1.
- Specific Requirements: While IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition sets the foundational safety requirements, there may be variations in testing methods, evaluation criteria, and specific requirements for UL-62368-1. UL's certification process may have additional or modified criteria to align with their certification procedures and address regional considerations. These differences ensure compliance with the specific safety standards recognized within the North American market.
In summary, compliance with either IEC 62368-1 3rd Edition or UL-62368-1 helps ensure adherence to safety standard for products related to Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment (AZOT).
Global Transition to 62368-1 3rd Edition Standards
UL-62368-1 Compliant & UL Listed Industrial Computers
Industrial computers are typically deployed in harsh mission-critical environments with unforgiving conditions. In some deployments, these industrial computers are expected to operate 24/7 in remote locations for extended periods of time without maintenance check-ups. Operational reliability is an essential factor for these industrial edge computers. To learn more about the advantages of UL certifications for industrial computers, visit this article.
RCO-1000/3000/6000 Series
The RCO Series is a culmination of three industrial computers, the RCO-1000-EHL, RCO-3000-CML, and RCO-6000-CML, for edge computing in extremely space-constrained deployments to applications that require additional performance acceleration. Compatible with EDGEBoost technologies, the RCO Series provide effective scalability and flexibility to meet high-specification deployment requirements. UL-623681 compliance allows these industrial computers to gain an additional layer of operational reliability when deployed in challenging environments/conditions.
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BCO-1000-EHL Series
Looking for an Intel NUC alternative for industrial deployments? Our BCO-1000-EHL is an ultra-compact, fanless, and IIoT-centric mini computer that is purpose-built to deliver industrial-grade edge computing performance in the most compact form factor. Compliant with UL-623681, it ensures that the BCO-1000-EHL has been tested and validated to reliably operate in harsh industrial environments.
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BCO-2000-RYZ Series
The BCO-2000 Series are fanless industrial mini computers that house our 3.5” Industrial SBCs powered by Intel Mobile-U or AMD Ryzen Embedded processors. For additional reassurance and peace of mind, these robust mini computers have been certified with UL-623681, making them an effective solution for edge deployment.
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