What are the IEC 60068 environmental testing standards?

IEC 60068 is a family of standards for assessing how products withstand environmental influences during transportation, storage and use. It is not a single test. Separate methods address cold, heat, humidity, vibration, shock and corrosion. IEC 60068-1:2013 general requirements and guidance provides the basic framework; tests are selected for the product’s expected environment.

How is the series organized?

IEC 60068-1 sets out the general approach. IEC 60068-2-x parts describe particular test methods. IEC 60068-3-x parts provide supporting documentation and guidance. For example, confirming temperature and humidity chamber performance is different from assessing a product’s test result; guidance on selecting vibration tests helps identify an appropriate method.

Temperature and humidity tests

IEC 60068-2-1:2025 — cold addresses low temperatures; IEC 60068-2-2:2025 — dry heat addresses high temperatures. Whether the specimen is energized or unenergized and heat-dissipating affects the test arrangement. These parts should be distinguished from IEC 60068-2-14:2023 change of temperature, which addresses the effects of temperature changes. See the differences between cold, dry heat and change-of-temperature tests.

IEC 60068-2-78:2025 — steady-state damp heat investigates high humidity at constant temperature without condensation. IEC 60068-2-30:2025 — cyclic damp heat combines temperature cycles with high humidity and generally produces condensation on the specimen surface. IEC 60068-2-38:2021 composite temperature/humidity cycling uses another arrangement. “Passed a humidity test” does not make these methods interchangeable; the differences between damp heat tests matter.

Vibration, mechanical shock and impact

IEC 60068-2-6:2007 sinusoidal vibration and IEC 60068-2-64 random vibration apply different excitations. The difference between sinusoidal and random vibration matters when choosing a test representative of the application. IEC 60068-2-64:2026, published on 8 October 2026, replaced the previous 2008+A1:2019 random vibration edition. When reviewing an older report, identify the edition actually used.

IEC 60068-2-27:2008 mechanical shock addresses specified shock pulses; IEC 60068-2-31:2008 rough handling shocks addresses rough handling situations; IEC 60068-2-75:2014+A1:2025 hammer tests addresses impact testing. Mechanical shock, drop and hammer tests are different assessments. Mounting, direction and the selected impact conditions form part of the interpretation.

What does salt mist testing show?

IEC 60068-2-52:2017 cyclic salt mist is used to assess resistance to salt-laden atmospheres. Salt mist and corrosion resistance matter particularly where salt exposure is expected. Hours in a test cannot be converted directly into years of service. Real environmental effects must be considered alongside materials, coatings and exposure conditions.

How are tests selected for automation equipment?

Environmental test selection should start with the installation environment. Equipment inside a warm enclosure experiences different stresses from a sensor mounted on a vibrating machine. Operating temperature, storage temperature, condensation risk, mounting and transportation require separate consideration. The difference between operating and storage temperature is particularly important: surviving cold storage does not establish that a device can operate at the same temperature.

Practical example: A sensor may pass a cold storage test while unenergized. To assess an operating claim, the selected test may also need to monitor power supply, detection and output behaviour, where required. This example is not a mandatory test prescription; the relevant product specification determines which functions are checked and when.

Why do acceptance criteria and reports matter?

Severity defines the applied environmental stress; duration or cycle count defines the exposure; acceptance criteria define permissible outcomes. The specification should establish relevant limits for visible damage, loose connections, loss of function or measurement drift. Completing a test and accepting the product are different decisions.

When reviewing a report, look for specimen identification, standard and edition, test conditions, energization state, mounting and results. IEC 60068-3-6:2018 addresses performance confirmation of temperature/humidity chambers without specimens; validating an empty chamber alone does not prove that every specimen in a loaded chamber reaches the same temperature.

Does passing IEC 60068 testing satisfy every product requirement? No. Selected environmental tests provide evidence for their stated conditions. Other product safety, performance and conformity requirements need separate assessment. The test method, product specification and acceptance criteria give the result its meaning together.