Hand-held motor-operated electric tools - Safety - Part 1: General requirements

This part of IEC 60745 deals with the safety of hand-held motor-operated or magnetically driven electric tools, the rated voltage of the tools being not more than 250 V for single-phase a.c. or d.c. tools, and 440 V for three-phase a.c. tools.

So far as is practicable, this standard deals with the common hazards presented by hand-held tools which are encountered by all persons in the normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of the tools.

Tools with an electric heating element are within the scope of this standard. They should also comply with relevant parts of IEC 60335.

Requirements for motors not isolated from the supply, and having basic insulation not designed for the rated voltage of the tools, are given in Annex B. Requirements for rechargeable battery powered motor-operated or magnetically driven tools and the battery packs for such tools are given in Annex K. Those for such tools that are also operated and/or charged directly from the mains or a non-isolated source are given in Annex L.

Hand-held electric tools, hereinafter referred to as tools, which can be mounted on a support or working stand for use as fixed tools without any alteration of the tool itself, are within the scope of this standard.

Requirements for such supports or working stands are given in Annex M.

This standard does not apply to:

- hand-held tools intended to be used in the presence of explosive atmosphere (dust, vapour or gas);
- hand-held tools used for preparing and processing food;
- hand-held tools for medical purposes (IEC 60601);
- heating tools which are covered by IEC 60335-2-45.

For hand-held tools intended to be used in vehicles or on board ships or aircraft, additional requirements may be necessary.

For hand-held tools intended to be used in tropical countries, special requirements may be necessary.

NOTE Attention is drawn to the fact that in many countries, additional requirements are specified by the national health authorities, the national authorities responsible for the protection of labour, the national water supply authorities, etc.