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BS EN 61111 vs IEC 61111:2009 Electrical Safety Matting

Published On: September 13th, 2024By Aayush Kejriwal

Confused about the differences between BS EN 61111 and IEC 61111: 2009 electrical safety mats?
Are just the names different or is there something more?

If you are a first-time buyer and wondering about the geographical boundary of BS EN 61111 electrical safety matting 1000 V, read on. Learning the nitty-gritty of electrical safety matting makes you confident and helps you select the right product at the right cost. Agree?

In this blog, you will get to know about the difference and similarities between IEC 61111:2009 safety mat and BS EN 61111 safety mats along with which one will be best suitable for your applications

What is IEC 61111: 2009 safety matting?

The IEC 61111:2009 standard superseded the previous CLC/TS 61111:2006 standard. The current guidelines emphasize more on composition, mechanical properties, color labeling, and testing, primarily. Rubber mats for electric safety prepared following this guideline are called the IEC 61111:2009 electric safety matting. The IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission. The IEC electric mats come in 5 classes and can be used globally.

What is the BS EN 61111 standard for electrical safety matting?

The BS EN 61111 standard is the British and European adaptation of the IEC 61111:2009 standard. Here, “BS” means British Standards, and the “EN” refers to European Norms, which signifies that the standard has been accepted across Europe. Essentially, the BS EN 61111 is similar to the IEC 61111 electrical safety mat for electrical panel, but they are not the SAME.

Can you use them in African or Australian countries? Well, you are 4.5 minutes away from the answer!

What are the similarities between IEC 61111:2009 and BS EN 61111 electrical rubber mats? Let’s talk about what’s common in both these electrical mats:

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Similarities Between BS EN 61111 and IEC 61111: 2009 electrical safety mats

Voltage-wise classification: Both BS EN 61111 and IEC 61111:2009 electrical mats are classified based on their voltage requirements. The classifications range from high to low voltage. At Duratuf, you will get IEC electrical safety matting 1000 V up to 36000 kV.
Material composition: Electrical mats are made of high-quality elastomer, free from any insertion. Following the same trend, the IEC and BS EN mats have elastomer compositions. Furthermore, some compounds and fillers are added to them to make the mats durable and resistant.
Testing Methods: Whether you are referring to the IEC 61111:2009 or BS EN 61111 guideline, you will definitely find one common thing. Both the guidelines emphasize much on testing the electrical safety mat. Test certificates ensure that the electrical safety matting is safe to use.
Marking and Labeling: Product labels provide valuable information like the manufacturer’s name, production batch, maximum working voltage, and compliance with either IEC or BS EN standards. IEC 61111 electrical safety matting 1000 V and above has color-coded labels.

Differences Between BS EN 61111 and IEC 61111: 2009 electrical mats

According to electrical safety mat manufacturers in India and abroad, there are some differences between the BS EN 61111 and IEC 61111:2009 electrical safety matting:

Regional Limitation: The BS EN 61111 electrical mats are for use in Europe and the UK. Similar to the ASTM D178 standard, which restricts the ASTM mat’s usage in the set territory, the BS EN electrical mats cannot be used outside of Europe.

Nonetheless, the IEC 61111 mats are more compliant and serve the same purpose. They also meet the safety guidelines.

Harmonization: The “EN” in BS EN 61111 indicates that the standard has been harmonized across Europe. This simply means that this electrical safety matting is recognized by all European Union member countries. Thus, insulating mats compliant with BS EN 61111 can be freely traded and used within the EU without needing additional certifications.
Administrative differences: Another significant differentiating factor is the governing body overseeing the manufacturing and testing of these mats. BS EN 61111 is managed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). On the other hand, the International Electrotechnical Commission is responsible for preparing and updating the IEC 61111:2009 standard.

Choosing the right electrical mat: Why does it matter?

Yes, you have to get the right safety matting- but why?

The right electrical insulating mats ensure that you are:

Protected from electrical hazards
Have a safety-compliant workplace
Investing rightly

Conclusion

While BS EN 61111 safety matting and IEC 61111:2009 electrical mats sound the same, technically, they are not. Whether you are planning to buy rubber safety mats for your use or want to resell them, having the correct information will make you profitable in the long run.

Nevertheless, you also need to buy high-quality electrical mats to achieve a high and consistent ROI. Choose Duratuf if you want value-adding IEC 61111-2009 insulating mats.

Reach out to us for a quote now!