Hazard Classification
A hazard-based safety standard specifies the requirements for audio, video, information, and communication technology equipment to protect users from energy source injuries. This standard, known as iec 62368-1, categorizes energy sources into three distinct classes based on their magnitude and potential to cause pain or injury. It replaced older standards to offer a more engineering-oriented approach to safety.
The classification dictates the level of protection required for the circuit.
Safeguard Architecture
Design solutions insert protective barriers between hazardous energy sources and body parts or susceptible materials. Under iec 62368-1, these barriers are classified as basic, supplementary, double, or reinforced safeguards. Designers must ensure that the printed circuit board layouts maintain sufficient creepage and clearance distances to prevent electrical breakdown.
These physical barriers are verified through rigorous dielectric strength testing on the finished assembly. For high-voltage boards, using insulated wiring or conformal coating provides another layer of safety that satisfies the standard’s safeguard requirements.
Test Protocol
Rigorous test sequences verify that the board assembly does not pose a fire or shock risk during normal and abnormal operating conditions. Compliance with iec 62368-1 involves simulating component failures like short circuits or open circuits on the board to confirm that the safeguards remain effective. A pass condition requires that no flame or hazardous voltage escapes the enclosure.
