Meaning
Safety standards for audio, video, information and communication technology equipment sold in the South Korean market govern the prevention of injury from electrical, thermal or chemical hazards. The current standard, known as kc 62368-1, is harmonized with the international IEC 62368-1 specification but includes specific national deviations for power plugs and labeling. It covers both completed consumer devices and the integrated sub-assemblies, such as power supplies and wireless transceiver modules, that are embedded within them.
Hazard Assessment
The methodology of this standard categorizes energy sources into three distinct classes based on their potential to cause pain or injury. For example, a class one energy source is incapable of causing injury under normal operating conditions, while a class three source requires a double or reinforced safeguard to protect the user. Engineers must evaluate every circuit node and mechanical interface to determine the appropriate protection layer.
South Korean Deviation
Applying for certification under this specific standard requires additional testing to account for the unique electrical distribution parameters of the country. These local deviations include checking the compatibility of power cords with the national standard plugs and verifying the presence of Korean-language safety warnings on the outer enclosure. Testing laboratories must be officially accredited by the National Radio Research Agency to generate the valid reports needed for certification.
This requirement means that imported test reports from non-accredited foreign laboratories are rejected unless they are accompanied by a complete test report under a bilateral recognition agreement.
Integration Rule
A pre-certified power supply or wireless module simplifies the compliance process for the final host device because the sub-assembly test results can be imported directly into the system-level dossier. This inheritance of certification reduces both the time and cost of the final product evaluation. However, the system integrator must still verify that the operating temperature and voltage limits of the module are not exceeded within the finished housing.
