BS EN IEC 63522-45-2025 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN IEC 63522-45:2025 — Electrical relays — Tests and measurements — Part 45: Maximum frequency of operation. This document is the British/EN adoption of IEC 63522-45:2025 and defines standardized test methods to determine the maximum permissible operating frequency (cycles per hour) for electromechanical elementary relays (including electromechanical relays, reed relays, reed contacts and reed switches) under expected conditions of transport, storage and service.

Abstract

Provides a reproducible test procedure to determine the maximum frequency of operation (Nmax) a relay can sustain while meeting defined electrical and mechanical performance criteria. The part specifies test circuits, sample preparation, monitoring and acceptance/failure criteria intended to assess endurance and contact reliability when relays are exposed to continuous or pulsed operation patterns representative of real-world usage.

General information

• Status: Active / Definitive (EN/IEC adoption).
• Publication date: EN/BS adoption published early 2025 (BS EN IEC 63522-45:2025 listed with a publication date in 2025); IEC base publication: 26 June 2025.
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) as BS EN IEC; original base publication by IEC (TC 94).
• ICS / categories: 29.120.70 (Relays).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2025).
• Number of pages: BS/EN adoption editions commonly published as ~20–22 pages; IEC base edition listed as 26 pages (formats vary by publisher).

Scope

This part of IEC 63522 specifies a uniform test to determine the maximum frequency of operation for electromechanical elementary relays. It applies to relays and reed devices and to combinations of these technologies. The standard covers the required test arrangement, test voltages (pulse inputs of rated coil voltage), sample sizes, monitoring of contact performance, the method for determining Nmax and reporting of results so that endurance and contact failure rates can be compared between products and laboratories.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of maximum frequency of operation (Nmax) and objective of the test (endurance and acceptable failure rate).
• Test circuits and pulse input conditions (use of rated coil voltage pulses and specified duty types such as continuous/pulsed operation).
• Sample selection, conditioning, and mounting as in service; recommended sample sizes and statistical considerations.
• Monitoring and measurement requirements (contact resistance, switching performance, detection of failures and criteria for stopping tests).
• Reporting format: test conditions, sample results, number and type of failures, calculated Nmax and test equipment details.
• Relation to other parts of IEC 63522 series (references to complementary tests and severities).

Typical use and users

Used by relay manufacturers for product design verification and specification, independent testing and certification laboratories for type and routine testing, OEMs and system integrators for component selection and qualification, and standards/specification writers who need a harmonized method to state maximum operating frequency requirements.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 63522 series (Electrical relays — Tests and measurements). Related parts cover other environmental, electrical and mechanical test methods (examples include internal moisture tests and other specific endurance/severity parts such as IEC 63522-12 and additional parts addressing different test conditions and relay types).

Keywords

electrical relays, electromechanical relays, reed relays, tests and measurements, maximum frequency, Nmax, endurance testing, contact failure, test procedure, IEC 63522, BS EN IEC.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A harmonized test method (BS EN IEC 63522-45:2025) for determining the maximum frequency of operation of electromechanical elementary relays, adopted from IEC 63522-45:2025.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It specifies the test arrangement, pulse/input conditions, sample preparation, monitoring and acceptance/failure criteria used to quantify the maximum switching frequency a relay can sustain while meeting defined performance limits.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Relay manufacturers, independent test houses, certification bodies, OEMs, procurement/specification engineers and standards committees concerned with relay performance and reliability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current (published/adopted in 2025 as edition 1.0). The IEC record lists a stability date associated with the 2025 publication cycle; users should check their national standards body for the exact adoption date of the national/EN/BS edition they hold.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 45 of the IEC 63522 series (Electrical relays — Tests and measurements). Other parts of the series address different test methods and environmental/severity conditions for relays.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: relays, electromechanical relays, reed relays, maximum frequency, endurance testing, Nmax, test procedure, IEC 63522, BS EN IEC.