SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SA SO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
SAUDI STANDARD 
NO.  SASO IEC 60669-2-3:  2007  
 
 
SWITCHES FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR FIXED 
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS – 
 
Part 2-3: Particular requirements – 
Time-delay switches (TDS) 
  
 
        
SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARDS ORGANIZATION 
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT SAUDI STANDARD CIRCULATED FOR COMMENTS.  IT IS, THEREFORE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS A SAUDI STANDARD UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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CONTENTS 
FOREWORD....................................................................................................................... .. 2 
 
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... ... 3 
2 Normative references ..................................................................................................... 3 
3 Terms and de finitions ..................................................................................................... 4 
4 General requ irements ..................................................................................................... 5 
5 General notes on tests .................................................................................................... 5 
6 Ratings ....................................................................................................................... ... 5 
7 Classification ................................................................................................................ .. 6 
8 Marking ....................................................................................................................... ... 7 
9 Checking of dimensions .................................................................................................. 8 
10 Protection against electric shock ..................................................................................... 8 
11 Provision for earthing...................................................................................................... 8 
12 Terminals ..................................................................................................................... .. 8 
13 Constructional requirements ........................................................................................... 8 
14 Mechanism .....................................................................................................................  8 
15 Resistance to ageing, protection provided by enclosures of switches and 
resistance to humidity ..................................................................................................... 8 
16 Insulation resistance and electric strength ....................................................................... 8 
17 Temperature rise ............................................................................................................ 9 
18 Making and breaking capacity ......................................................................................... 9 
19 Normal operation ............................................................................................................ 9 
20 Mechanical strength ..................................................................................................... 11  
21 Resistance to heat ........................................................................................................ 11  
22 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections............................................................. 11  
23 Creepage distances, clear ances and distances through sealing compound .................... 11  
24 Resistance of insulating material to abno rmal heat, to fire and to tracking ...................... 13  
25 Resistance to rusting .................................................................................................... 13  
26 EMC requirements .......................................................................................................... 3 
101 Abnormal operation of th e control ci rcuit ....................................................................... 13  
 
 SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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FOREWORD 
 
The Saudi Standards,Metrology  and Qualit y Organization (SASO) has adopted the 
International Standard IEC 60669-2- 3/2006 “SWITCHES FOR HOUSEHOLD AND 
SIMILAR FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS –  Part 2-3: Particular 
requirements – Time-delay switches (TDS) ” issued by the International 
Electrotechnical Co mmission (IEC). It has been ad opted without any technical 
modifications with a view to it s approval as a Saudi standard. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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SWITCHES FOR HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR FIXED 
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS – 
 
Part 2-3: Particular requirements – 
Time-delay switches (TDS) 
   
1 Scope 
This clause of part 1 is applicable except as follows: 
Replacement of the first paragraph by:  
This part of IEC 60669 applies to time-delay switches (hereinafter referred to as TDS) with a 
rated voltage not exceeding 440 V and a rated current not exceeding 63 A, intended for 
household and similar fixed electrical installations, either indoors or outdoors, operated by 
hand and/or by remote control.  
TDS are provided with a time-delay device operated by mechanical, thermal, pneumatic, 
hydraulic or electrical means or by a combination of them. 
Electronic TDS are within the scope of IEC 60669-2-1. 
TDS including only passive components such as resistors, capacitors, PTC and NTC 
components and printed wiring boards are not considered to be electronic TDS. 
2 Normative references 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
IEC 60317, Specifications for particular types of winding wires  
IEC 60445:1999, Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and 
identification – Identification of equipment terminals and of terminations of certain designated 
conductors, including general ru les for an alpha numerical system  
IEC 60669-2-1:2002, Switches for household and similar fixed-electrical installations –  
Part 2-1: Particular requirements – Electronic switches 
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and 
equipment 
IEC 61558-2-6:1997, Safety of power transformers, power supply units and similar – Part 2-6: 
Particular requirements for safety isolating transformers for general use  SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 3 Terms and definitions 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
3.14 Addition of the following note:  
NOTE This definition is only app licable to the switching circuit. 
3.15 Addition of the following note:  
NOTE This definition is only app licable to the switching circuit. 
Addition of the following new definitions: 
3.101 
time-delay switches TDS 
switch provided with a time-delay device which operates for a certain time (the delay time). It 
may be either manually actuated and/o r remotely electrically initiated  
3.101.1 
electronic TDS  
TDS containing electronic component(s) 
3.102 
rated control voltage 
voltage assigned to the control circuit by the manufacturer  
3.103  
switching circuit 
circuit which contains the parts which allow the rated current to flow through the TDS 
3.104  
control circuit 
circuit which includes electrical parts to cont rol the switching circuit in an electrically 
controlled TDS 
3.105  
control mechanism 
all the parts which are intended for the operation of the TDS 
3.106  
incorporated hand-operated device 
device incorporated in the switch which allows the switching circuit to be operated, directly or 
indirectly. This device is not intended for the normal operation of the TDS 
3.107  
delay time 
period during which the switching circuit(s) is (are) kept closed. Any time taken for the decreasing of the voltage (e.g. to reduce the light) at the end of the delay period is included 
within the delay time SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 3.108  
delay device all components which have an influence on the delay time. The delay device is energized by 
means of an impulse into the control circuit in an electrically controlled TDS. The delay time 
may be adjustable 
3.109  
disconnectable TDS 
TDS consisting of two parts, the first being us ed as a base and including the terminals, the 
other being removable and including the switching and the control circuits, the two parts being resiliently connected together using a means which allows joining and/or separating with or 
without the use of a tool 
4 General requirements 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
Addition after the first paragraph: 
The operation of a TDS shall not be impaired when it is mounted at an angle deviating by not 
more than 5° from the specified position of use. 
5 General notes on tests 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
5.4 Addition after the last paragraph:  
For the tests of subclause 101, three additional specimens are necessary. 
Addition of the following subclauses: 
5.101  If a TDS is provided with an incorporated hand-operated device, actuating the 
switching circuit directly, it shall be tested as specified in 19.101.  
5.102  For a TDS operated by hand, the requirements relating to the control voltage do 
not apply.  
5.103  In the case of a TDS for which the contro l and the switching circuits have no common 
point, the test is made with the circuits supplied with the rated voltages which are specified in 
this standard.  
6 Ratings 
This clause of part 1 is applicable except as follows: 
6.1 Replacement:  
Preferred rated voltages are: 
– a.c. : 6 V, 8 V, 9 V, 12 V, 24 V, 42 V, 48 V, 110 V, 130 V, 220 V, 230 V and 240 V; 
NOTE These rated voltages are aligned with the rated contro l voltages specified in 6.101 to simplify the tests on 
TDS having a common point between the control and switching circuits. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 6.2 Addition of the following note:  
NOTE In certain TDS, auxiliary cont acts designed for a current lower than the rated current of the switching 
circuit may be added. Relevant ratings and requirements are under consideration. 
Addition of the following subclause: 
6.101  Preferred rated control voltages are: 
– a.c. : 6 V, 8 V, 9 V, 12 V, 24 V, 42 V, 48 V, 110 V, 130 V, 220 V, 230 V and 240 V; 
– d.c. : 6V, 9 V, 12 V, 24 V, 48 V, 60 V, 110 V and 220 V. 
7 Classification 
This clause of part 1 is applicable except as follows: 
7.1.1  Replacement: 
According to the possible connections (see Figure 8 of IEC 60669-1): 
 
 Pattern 
number 
single-pole switches 1 double-pole switches 2 
three-pole switches 3 
three-pole plus switched neutral switches 03 two-way switches 6 
 
7.1.5  Addition of the following:  
– time-delay switches (TDS): 
•manually operated;
•remotely operated; 
•manually and remotely operated. 
NOTE The above methods of operation may be combined with a complementary method of operation allowing 
permanent on and/or permanent off. These possibilities are gi ven by a complementary device acting either directly 
on the switching circuit, or on the control circuit. 
7.1.7  Addition of the following:  
–  disconnectable TDS; 
Addition of the following subclause:  
7.1.101  According to the type of control mechanism: 
– mechanical; 
– thermal; – pneumatic; SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 – hydraulic; 
– electrical; 
– combination(s) of the above. 
8 Marking  
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
8.1 Addition after the last dashed text:  
– rated control voltage in volts, if different from the rated voltage; 
– symbol for the adjustment of the delay time, if applicable; – symbols for the positions "Permanent on" and "Permanent off", if applicable; – symbol for "Delay time". 
Addition after Note 2:  
NOTE 3 If a delay time value is indicated, it should be expressed in minutes. 
8.2 Addition of the following symbols:  
Permanent on ............................................................  or
 
NOTE – If the TDS may also be remote controlled, the symbol | is not to be used. 
Delay time .................................................................  or or "min"
 
Permanent off but only if the air gap of the switching 
contact of the TDS is not less than 3 mm ....................   
Adjustment of delay time ............................................  or or "               "  
Control mechanism ....................................................   
 
Switch .......................................................................  or or or
NOTE In UK, the symbol consisting of 2 concentric circles is not used to indicate time delay. 
8.4 Addition before the notes of this subclause: 
If necessary, the wiring diagram on which the terminal reference is clearly indicated shall be 
fixed to the accessory or inside the protective cover fo r the terminals.  
The terminals of the control circuit shall be marked according to IEC 60445 and/or with the 
symbols according to 8.2. 
8.7 This subclause of part 1 does not apply. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 9 Checking of dimensions 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
10 Protection against electric shock 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
11 Provision for earthing 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
12 Terminals 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
13 Constructional requirements 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
Addition of the following subclauses: 
13.101  All TDS shall be resettable; this means TDS revert to the full-time delay when the 
operating means is actuated during a previously started time delay. 
13.102  Transformers intended for SELV circuits shall be of the safety isolating type and 
shall comply with the relevant requirements of IEC 61558-2-6. 
NOTE For the use of SELV and PELV, see IEC 61140 and IEC 60364-4-41. * 
14 Mechanism  
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
Addition of the following subclause: 
14.101  If a TDS is equipped with an incorporated hand-operated device, and if a position 
indicator is used, it shall indicate the position of the switching circuit clearly and without ambiguity. 
15 Resistance to ageing, protection provided by enclosures of switches and 
resistance to humidity 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
——————— 
* IEC 60364-4-41:1992, Electrical installations of buildings – Pa rt 4: Protection for safety – Chapter 41: 
Protection against electric shock  SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 16 Insulation resistance and electric strength 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
16.2  Addition of the following items to Table 14:   
101 Between switching circuit(s) and control 
circuit(s) if they are separated  
5  
2 000  
3 000 
102 Between SELV/PELV circuits and other 
circuit(s) having a higher voltage than SELV/PELV   
7  
2 500  
4 000 
103 Between two SELV/PELV circuits  5 500 500 
 
17 Temperature rise  
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
17.1  Addition after Note 1: 
TDS are adjusted to the longest delay time indicated by the manufacturer. During the test 
the TDS is reclosed at the end of each delay time, within a time of (2 ± 0,5) s. 
Electrically operated TDS are operated by means of the control circuit. 
18 Making and breaking capacity 
This clause of part 1 is applicable except as follows: 
18.1  Replacement of the first paragraph and of the dashed texts by: 
TDS are tested at 1,1 times rated voltage and 1,1 times rated control voltage and 1,25 times 
rated current. 
They are subjected to 200 operations specified as follows: 
– if adjustable, they are adjusted to the shortest delay time, but not shorter than 50 s. The 
time interval between switching off and on is adjusted as specified in Clause 17; 
– if the maximum adjustable time delay is less than 50 s, the TDS are adjusted to the 
longest possible delay time; 
– if not adjustable they are tested as delivered. 
18.2  Addition after the first paragraph: 
The operation of the TDS is as specified in 18.1.  
19 Normal operation 
This clause of part 1 is applicable except as follows: 
19.1  Replacement of the first six paragraphs by: 
TDS shall withstand, without excessive wear or other harmful effect the mechanical, electrical 
and thermal stresses occurring in normal use. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 Compliance is checked by the following test.  
TDS are tested at rated voltage, rated control voltage and rated current with the connections 
specified in 18.1. 
The circuit details and the manner of operation of the selector switch S are as described 
in 18.1, unless otherwise specified. 
For adjustable TDS, the delay time is adjusted to approximately midway and the time interval 
between switching off and on is adjusted as specified in Clause 17. 
The number of operations is indicated in Table 16; however, for TDS having a long time 
delay, the delay time may be reduced to perform the test. In any case, the maximum test duration is 1 000 h for adjustable and non-adjustable TDS. 
For TDS equipped with an incorporated hand-operated device, acting directly on the switching 
circuit, 10 % of the operations indicated in Table 16 are made by hand or in an equivalent 
manner and for those for a.c. only the test is followed by that of 14.3. 
During the normal operation test, failures of correct operation are allowed to occur within 1 %, 
but, no more than three consecutive failures. 
Addition of the following subclauses: 
19.101  TDS shall operate as intended at the control voltages between 0,9 times and 1,1 
times the rated value.   
Compliance is checked by the following test. 
Under no-load conditions, 20 operations are carried out on each of the three specimens, 
under a control voltage of 0,9 times the rated value and 20 operations under a control voltage 
of 1,1 times the rated value. 
TDS shall operate as intended during the test; however, differences in delay times are 
permitted according to 19.102. 
19.102 TDS shall have an adequate repetitive accuracy of delay time.  
Compliance is checked by applying the rated control voltage ten times and measuring the 
delay time after each application, the TDS not being loaded. 
For adjustable TDS the delay time is set to 2,5 min approximately if possible, otherwise, the 
test is made with the delay time specified by the manufacturer. 
The maximum and minimum values of delay time shall not deviate by more than 15 % from 
the mean value of the test. 
19.103  A TDS shall revert to the full delay time when the operating means is actuated during 
the delay time period. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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 Compliance is checked by the following test. 
For a TDS, where the delay time is adjustable, the delay time is adjusted to a time between 
2 min and 3 min.  
Three specimens are initiated at the rated control voltage.  
After 1 min the specimens are again initiated at the rated control voltage.  
The total delay time resulting for each of these specimens shall be between 3 min and 4 min. 
For a TDS, where the delay time is not adjustable, the specimens are initiated twice at the 
rated control voltage, the time difference between the first and the second initiation being 1 min. The total delay time shall be the delay time (declared by the manufacturer) ±5 % of the 
delay time plus 1 min.  
For a TDS, where the delay time is not adjustable when the delay time of the TDS is less than 
1 min, the second initiation of the TDS shall be after half the delay time declared by the 
manufacturer. The total delay time shall be 1,5 times the delay time ±5 %.  
20 Mechanical strength 
This clause of part 1 is applicable.  
21 Resistance to heat 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
Addition of the following note after the first paragraph:  
NOTE The requirements of this clause are applic able to both switching and control circuits. 
22 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
23 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following additions: 
23.1  Addition of the following items  to Table 20:  
Description mm 
Creepage distances  
101 For creepage distances across which nominal voltages up to 50 V a.c. or d.c. occur a) b), and 
which voltages are generated in a circuit by supply from a safety isolating transformer 
according to IEC 61558-2-6 or by a supply se parated from the mains supply in an equally 
effective manner: - on printed wiring material – pollution degree 1; 
- on printed wiring material - pollution degree 2; 
- on other insulating material – across insulating material Group I; - on other insulating material – across insulating material Group II; 
- on other insulating material – across insulating material Group III.   
 
 
 
0,025 0,04 
0,6 
0,85 1,2 SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
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Description mm 
Clearances  
102 For clearance distances across which nomin al voltages up to 50 V a.c. or d.c. occur a), and 
which voltages are generated in a circuit by supply from a safety isolating transformer 
according to IEC 61558-2-6 or by a supply electr ically separated from the mains supply in an 
equally effective manner:  
- pollution degree 1; - pollution degree 2.   
 
  
 
0,1 mm 0,2 mm 
NOTE 1 The values for the clearances are ba sed on IEC 60664-1, Table 2, using as input 
– the rated impulse voltage of 800 V derived from IEC 60664-1, Table 1, for a line to neutral voltage of 50 V a.c. 
or d.c. and overvoltage category III and Case A (inhomogeneous field);  
– pollution degrees 1 and 2. The values for creepage distances are based on IEC 60664-1,  Table 4 with the input of voltage rationalized for 
Table 4 of 50 V r.m.s from  IEC 60664-1, Table 3, for a supply system having a nominal voltage of 50 V. 
NOTE 2 For the definition of nominal voltage see IEC 60050-601 (IEV 601-01-21). 
a)  For the purposes of this standard the following applies (taken from IEC 60664-1): 
 micro environment: the immediate environment of the insulation which particularly influences the 
dimensioning of creepage distances (IEC 60664-1, 1.3.12.2). 
 Pollution degree: a numeral characterizing the expect ed pollution of the micro environment (IEC 60664-1, 
1.3.13).  
 Pollution degree 1 : No pollution or only dry, non-conductive pol lution occurs. The pollution has no influence 
 On printed wiring boards of TDS, it is acceptable to use pollution degree 1, if the printed wiring board is 
protected against any occurrence of condensation and de position of conductive, hydroscopic, or soluble 
dust. This usually can be achieved only if the print ed wiring board and/or circuits are coated and the coating 
complies with the specifications of IEC 60664-3 and an additional encapsulation, or by sealing of the whole printed wiring board assembly by a protective coating. 
 Pollution degree 2
: Only non-conductive pollution occurs except that occasionally a temporary conductivity 
caused by condensation is to be expected (see IEC 60664-1, 2.5.1). 
 On printed wiring boards of TDS, it is acceptable to use pollution degree 2, if the printed wiring board and/or 
circuit is coated and the coating complies with the specifications of IEC 60664-3. 
 This standard classifies insulating materials according to their PTI values into four groups: 
 Material Group I  600 ≤ PTI 
 Material Group II  400 ≤ PTI < 600 
 Material Group IIIa    175 ≤ PTI < 400 
 Material Group IIIb    100 ≤ PTI < 175 
 Material Group III includes Material Group IIIa and Material Group IIIb 
 A material shall be included in one of the four group s above on the basis that its PTI, established by the 
method of IEC 60112 using solution A is equal to or greater than the lower value specified for the group. 
b) Values of creepage distances for print ed wiring boards are given for pollution degrees 1 and 2. For other insulating 
materials, only the values for creepage di stances for pollution degree 2 are allowed. 
 
Addition of the following new subclauses: 
23.101  For TDS having a control circuit suitable  for connection to a SELV supply, the 
switching circuit being supplied with a voltage greater than the SELV, creepage distances and clearances between the control and switching circuits shall be not less than 6 mm. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
13 
 23.102 If the enamel of the wire is at least grade 1 according to IEC 60317, the clearances 
between the wire of the control coil, the live parts of different polarity and exposed conductive 
parts may be reduced to a value equal to two-thirds of the clearances required in the absence of enamel. 
24 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat, to fire and to tracking 
This clause of part 1 is applicable with the following addition: 
Addition of the following note before 24.1:  
NOTE The requirements of this clause are applic able to both switching and control circuits. 
25 Resistance to rusting 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
26 EMC requirements 
This clause of part 1 is applicable. 
Addition of the following clause: 
101 Abnormal operation of the control circuit 
TDS shall be so constructed that their behaviour during abnormal operation of the control 
circuit (e.g. when the push-button is jammed) is not dangerous to their surroundings and the 
user. 
Compliance is checked by the following test which is made on three additional specimens of 
TDS which have complied with the requirements of Clauses 15 and 16. 
TDS are mounted, as in normal use, on a matt black painted pine plywood support having a 
thickness of approximately 20 mm. 
The control circuit is continuously energized at its rated voltage, the switching circuit being 
loaded with rated current (at rated voltage) for 6 h. Adjustable TDS are adjusted to the shortest delay time. 
Immediately after this test, the TDS shall still operate and meet the following conditions: 
– the temperature rise of any part of the TDS enclosure and plywood support, which may be 
touched by the standard test finger, test probe B of IEC 61032, shall not exceed 75 K; 
– the temperature rise of the plywood support which cannot be touched by the test finger, 
test probe B of IEC 61032, shall not exceed 100 K; 
– the TDS shall not emit flames, melted material, glowing particles or burning drops of 
insulating material. SAUDI ARABIAN STANDARD SASO IEC 60669-2-3/2007
 
14 
 After cooling down to ambient temperature: 
– the TDS shall withstand a dielectric test between switching and control circuits as 
specified in Clause 16, the test voltage being reduced to 75 % of the values specified in 
Table 14 of IEC 60669-1; 
– the TDS shall still meet the requirements of 10.1. 
 
 
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