Free Fall — IEC 60068-2-31

The free-fall test consists of releasing the specimen from a defined height onto a hard surface. IEC 60068-2-31 defines both toppling from the edge of a table and repeated free-fall methods; the purpose is to represent rough handling during use.

The purpose is to determine whether the product retains its safety and function if it slips from the hand or topples over. Enclosure breakage, battery-compartment opening and internal-connection failure are the most common findings.

• Portable electronic devices
• Hand tools and measuring instruments
• Small desktop household appliances
• Chargers and adapters
• Portable medical devices

• IEC 60068-2-31drop and tipping test test

Drop height

From the product standard; chosen according to mass and manner of use

Number and direction of drops

Defined in the product standard

Surface

Hard, rigid surface defined in the standard

Specimen condition

Operating or with its battery installed, if the product standard requires it

• Free-fall test rig and release mechanism
• Hard test surface conforming to the standard
• High-speed camera (optional)
• Functional and electrical-safety check equipment

• The specimen must be in its ready-for-sale configuration
• The battery and accessories must be installed as in real use
• The test is destructive; more than one specimen may be required
• The declared manner of use must be stated

The test is short; preparation, the drops and the post-test inspection are generally completed within the same day.

1. 1The specimen is inspected and its function is checked.
2. 2The drop height and orientations are determined according to the product standard.
3. 3The specimen is released in the defined orientation.
4. 4A visual inspection is performed after each drop.
5. 5The specified number of drops is completed.
6. 6Electrical-safety and functional checks are performed at the end of the test.
7. 7Whether any hazardous part has become accessible is assessed.

The acceptance criterion comes from the product standard. The common expectation is that parts under hazardous voltage do not become accessible and the battery compartment does not open after the drop. Most standards permit cosmetic damage.

Evaluation focuses less on visual damage than on safety outcomes: insulation integrity, accessibility and battery safety. Continuity of function is required only if the product standard additionally demands it.

• Sample description, serial number and configuration
• Applied standard and year of printing
• Selected intensity level and basis for the level
• Experimental setup and measurement points
• Functional checks performed during the experiment
• Observations, measurement results and photographs
• A statement that the result applies only to the specimen submitted for testing

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• EU 2014/35/EU LVD
• EU 2001/95/EC General Product Safety
• EU 2017/745 MDR (for medical devices)

The section below describes the field that the Free Fall test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Automotive Vibration
• Battery Vibration
• Aerospace Vibration
• Change of Temperature
• UV Ageing
• IP Water Ingress
• IP Dust Ingress
• IP69K
• UNECE R10 EMC
• Vehicle Emission
• Component Emission
• RF Immunity