EN 60352-6:1997

Overview

EN 60352-6:1997 - Solderless connections, Part 6 - covers insulation piercing connections (IPCs). Published by CLC and adopted in national variants (e.g., SIST EN 60352-6:2002), the standard sets out general requirements, test methods and practical guidance to determine the suitability of insulation piercing connections under specified mechanical, electrical and atmospheric conditions. It also provides a consistent way to compare test results when connection tools or connector designs differ.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Defines what constitutes an insulation piercing connection and the intended performance objectives for safety and reliability.
• General requirements: Functional and constructional expectations for IPC devices, including durability and repeatability of the connection process.
• Test methods: Standardized procedures to assess mechanical strength, electrical continuity and resistance, and behavior under atmospheric stresses (e.g., humidity, temperature variations).
• Comparability of results: Rules and test conditions that enable meaningful comparison of different connector designs or tooling methods.
• Practical guidance: Recommendations for correct application, installation technique and inspection to ensure consistent, reliable connections in the field.

(Exact test procedures and numerical limits are defined in the full text of EN 60352-6 and corresponding IEC 60352-6:1997.)

Applications

EN 60352-6 is directly relevant wherever solderless insulation piercing connectors are used to tap or join insulated conductors without stripping insulation. Typical uses include:

• Electrical installation and building wiring where quick, field-made taps are required
• Automotive and vehicle electrical systems for branch connections and sensor wiring
• Utility and field service applications for power and control tap-offs
• Telecommunications and low-voltage distribution where reliable, maintenance-free connections are needed

Using the standard helps ensure that IPCs perform reliably under mechanical stress, electrical load and real-world atmospheric exposure.

Who should use this standard

• Connector manufacturers designing or validating insulation piercing products
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing product qualification
• Electrical designers and specifiers selecting connectors for installations
• Installers and maintenance teams seeking guidance on application and inspection
• Standards committees and procurement teams comparing product performance

Related standards

• IEC 60352-6:1997 (original IEC publication identical to EN 60352-6)
• Other parts of the EN/IEC 60352 series covering solderless connections (for complementary topics such as crimps, pressure contacts, etc.)

Using EN 60352-6 supports safer, more reliable solderless tapping practices and provides a harmonized basis for product testing, comparison and field application of insulation piercing connections.