IEC 61482-2

Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc

Requirements & test methods

IEC 61482-2 specifies material and garment requirements for protection against the thermal effects of an electric arc.

IEC 61482-1-1 / IEC 61482-1-2

Measures arc thermal performance using the open-arc or box test.

Open arc: ELIM, ATPV and/or EBT. Box test: APC 1 or APC 2.

Arc test conditions and results
Test	Measured result	Key value
IEC 61482-1-1 — open arc	ELIM; ATPV and/or EBT	IEC 61482-2:2018 minimum: ELIM ≥ 3.2 cal/cm²; lower available ATPV/EBT ≥ 4 cal/cm²
IEC 61482-1-2 — box test, APC 1	Pass under directed-arc conditions	4 kA prospective current; 500 ms
IEC 61482-1-2 — box test, APC 2	Pass under directed-arc conditions	7 kA prospective current; 500 ms

ISO 17493

Exposes the material to hot air at 180 °C for 5 minutes.

Thermal shrinkage ≤ 5%. Ignition, melting and dripping are assessed by layer.

ISO 15025

Uses Procedure A to assess flame spread, afterflame and afterglow.

Afterflame ≤ 2 s and afterglow ≤ 2 s. No flame at the upper or vertical edges; no flaming or molten debris. Hole formation is assessed by layer.

ISO 13934-1 / ISO 13937-2

Measures tensile and tear strength of woven or laminated outer materials in both directions.

Minimum strength by fabric mass.

Minimum mechanical performance
Material mass	Tensile strength	Tear resistance
≤ 220 g/m²	250 N	10 N
> 220 g/m²	400 N	15 N

ISO 13938-1 / ISO 13938-2

Measures bursting pressure of knitted outer materials.

≥ 100 kPa at 50 cm², or ≥ 200 kPa at 7.3 cm².

Conductive fibers and garment construction

Assesses volume resistance, seams, closures and coverage.

Volume resistance in Ω for materials with conductive fibers. Closures remain functional after arc exposure.

Where the standard is used

Oil & Gas

Electrical tasks at process plants where an assessment identifies thermal arc exposure.

Explore industry

Electrical

Protective clothing against the thermal effects of an electric arc.

Explore industry

Related protective fabrics

Flash fire + electric arc

MARKO® AS

Permanent multi-norm protection balanced with all-day wearer comfort.

View fabric Arc flash + wind + rain

MARKO® SSH

PFAS-free tri-laminate protection for changing outdoor conditions.

View fabric

Flame resistance test on a protective fabric

Need help choosing the right standard and protective fabric?

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