This standard specifies safety requirements for lighting chains fitted with series, parallel or a combination of series/parallel connected light sources for use either indoors or outdoors on supply voltages not exceeding 250V.
For combinations where rope lights (also known as sealed lighting chains) are included, see GB/T 7000.221.
Lighting chains provided with fixed or detachable attachments for example ornamental or decorative, are considered to be covered by this document.
For lighting chains fitted with lampholders of the push-in type, the appropriate requirements of this document apply.
This document covers the following lighting chains:
Note 1: Festoon lighting chain—a lighting chain that is supported by the supply cable or fixed at the lampholder and is permanently connected to the fixed wiring. Festoon lighting chains are primarily suitable for permanent indoor or outdoor lighting applications.
Note 2: Decorative lighting chain—a lighting chain that is supported by the supply cable and is temporarily connected to the fixed wiring. Decorative lighting chains are primarily suitable for domestic, indoor or indoor/outdoor temporary lighting applications, see Figure 1 for examples.
Note 3: Temporarily installed protected lighting (TPL) chain—a lighting chain where each lampholder is fixed to the building or structure and the light source is enclosed by a protective enclosure and is temporarily connected to the fixed wiring. Temporarily installed protected lighting chains are primarily suitable for use in rough service lighting applications.
For lighting chains with non-standardized lamps (e.g. lamps of the push-in type) the lamps are regarded as a part of the lighting chain and consequently included in the testing.
Note 4: For products where the lighting chain is permanently fixed to a frame or pre-lit Christmas tree the relevant clauses of GB/T 7000.204 can also apply.
Note 5: In some countries the term "strings" is used instead of "chains".
Note 6: Candlestick luminaries are tested according to GB/T 7000.204.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/ 7000.1 Luminaries - Part 1: General requirements and tests (GB/T 7000.1-2023, IEC 60598-1:2020, MOD)
ISO 4046-4:2016 Paper, board, pulps and related terms - Vocabulary - Part 4: Paper and board grades and converted products
IEC 60227-5 Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V - Part 5: Flexible cables (cords)
Note: GB/T 5023.5-2008 Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750V - Part 5: Flexible cables (cords)(IEC 60227-5:2003, IDT)
IEC 60309-1 Plugs, fixed or portable socket-outlets and appliance inlets for industrial purposes - Part 1: General requirements
Note: GB/T 11918.1-2014 Plugs, socket-outlet and couplers for industrial purposes - Part 1: General requirements (IEC 60309-1:2012, MOD)
IEC 60320 (all parts) Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes
Note: GB/T 17465.1-2022 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes - Part 1: General requirements (IEC 60320-1:2021, MOD)
GB/T 17465.3-2008 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes - Part 2: Appliance couplers with a degree of protection higher than IPX0 (IEC 60320-2-3:2005, IDT);
GB/T 17465.4-2015 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes- Part 2-4: Couplers dependent on appliance weight for engagement (IEC 60320-2-4:2009, MOD);
Note: GB/T 17465.5-2017 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes - Part 2-1: Sewing machine couplers (IEC 60320-2-1:2000, MOD).
IEC 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
Note: GB/T 4208-2017 Degrees of protection provided by enclosure (IP code) (IEC 60529:2013, IDT)
IEC 60906 (all parts) IEC system of plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes
Note: GB/T 34134-2017 SELV plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes 16 A 6 V, 12 V, 24 V, 48 V a.c. and d.c. - Types, basic parameters and dimensions (IEC 60906-3:1994, MOD)
IEC 61347-2-11 Lamp controlgear - Part 2-11: Particular requirements for miscellaneous electronic circuits used with luminaries
Note: GB/T 19510.211-2023 Controlgear for electric light sources - Part 2-11: Particular requirements for miscellaneous electronic circuits used with luminaries (IEC 61347-2-11:2017, MOD)
IEC 61347-2-13 Lamp controlgear - Part 2-13: Particular requirements for d.c, or a.c. supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules
Note: GB/T 19510.213-2023 Controlgear for electric light sources - Part 2-13: Particular requirements for d.c. or a.c. supplied electronic controlgear for LED modules (IEC 61347-2-13:2016, MOD)
IEC 61984:2008 Connectors - Safety requirements and tests
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions given in Part 1 [ "Part 1" referred to in this document refers to GB/T 7000.1.] and the following apply.
3.1
lighting chain
luminaire comprising an assembly of series-connected lamps, parallel-connected lamps or series/parallel-connected lamps and interconnecting insulated conductors
Note 1: For lighting chains with non-standardized lamps (e.g. lamps of the push-in type), the lamps are regarded as part of the chain.
Foreword i Introduction v 1 Scope 2 Normative references 3 Terms and definitions 4 General test requirements 5 Classification of luminaires 5.1 General 5.2 Classification by protection against electric shock 5.3 Classification by protection against dust, solid objects and moisture 6 Marking 6.1 General 6.2 Lighting chain marking 6.3 Lighting chain and packaging marking 6.4 Packaging or instructions marking 7 Construction 7.1 General 7.2 Lampholders 7.3 Terminal blocks 7.4 Terminals and supply connections 7.5 Gaskets 7.6 Mechanical strength 7.7 Lamp bridging devices 7.8 Control units and controlgear 7.9 Lamp rotation 7.10 Lamp insertion and withdrawal force 7.11 Lamp mechanical requirements 7.12 Temporarily installed protected lighting (TPL) chains 8 Creepage distances and clearances 9 Provisions for earthing 10 Terminals 11 External and internal wiring 11.1 General 11.2 Cables for lighting chains 11.3 Cord anchorage test 11.4 Plugs and cable length 11.5 Maximum length of extendable class II lighting chains 12 Protection against electric shock 12.1 General 12.2 Divisible plug 12.3 Electrification of decorations 12.4 Contacts of push-in lampholders 12.5 Blanking plugs 13 Endurance tests and thermal tests 13.1 General 13.2 Test voltage 13.3 Lamp bridging devices 13.4 Short-circuit test of rectifier 14 Resistance to dust, solid objects and moisture 15 Insulation resistance and electric strength 16 Resistance to heat, fire and tracking Annex A (Normative) Requirements for interconnecting connectors for use in lighting chains Bibliography
