Playing safe in the summer

Fairground rides are just one of the
categories covered by the IEC 60364-7
series of standards for low-voltage
electrical installations

Visiting a theme park, inviting friends for a barbecue, enjoying ice cream on a sunny afternoon, camping or just spending a couple of hours gardening… For many, summer is synonymous with outdoor activities, which IEC International Standards make as safe as they are enjoyable.

The fun of the fair

Summer is when fairs, circuses and themes parks are at their busiest. White-knuckle rides, roller coasters, big wheels and water flumes provide excitement and thrills for sensation-seekers.

IEC 60364-7-740, Electrical installations of buildings - Part 7-740: Requirements for special installations or locations - Temporary electrical installations for structures, amusement devices and booths at fairgrounds, amusement parks and circuses, specifies requirements to facilitate the safe design, installation and operation of mobile, temporarily or permanently installed electrical machines and structures incorporating electrical equipment. The structures can be installed repeatedly, without loss of safety, temporarily or permanently, at fairgrounds, amusement parks, circuses or other such places.

Fairground rides are not the only category covered by the IEC 60364-7 series of standards for low-voltage electrical installations. Among the special installations or locations included are swimming pools, garden centres, caravans, motor caravans, caravan parks and campsites.

The IEC 60364-7 series of standards is the work of IEC TC (Technical Committee) 64: Electrical installations and protection against electric shock.

In the garden

At this time of year, there's plenty to do in the garden. Tasks such as mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and pruning are also covered by standards. IEC 60335-2-55 deals with certain categories of electrical gardening tools, such as lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers and appliances used in garden ponds. IEC 60745-2-15 covers hedge trimmers. Another in the IEC 60335 series, IEC 60335-2-94, specifies particular requirements for scissors type grass shears.

Once the work is done, the garden's beauty and benefits can be appreciated. The IEC 60598-2 series deals with outdoor luminaires, such as those in swimming pools or recessed in the ground, for example, along a garden path.

Food for thought

Summer is also the time for outdoor eating and drinking. Electric barbecues are convenient, both at home and on holiday. They are quick to heat, easy to handle and safe to use. IEC 60335-2-78, Household and similar electric appliances – Safety – Part 2-78, covers particular requirements for outdoor barbecues and was developed by IEC TC 61: Safety of household and similar electrical appliances.

Cold drinks and ice-creams are also the object of standards. IEC 60335-2-24, another publication produced by TC 61, specifies particular requirements for refrigerating appliances and ice-cream and ice makers.

Thanks to these and other standards, summer leisure and safety go hand-in-hand.