The new Swiss standard series SN 441011 for plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes has been applicable since March 1, 2019, and replaces the previous standard SN SEV 1011. The manufacture and import of products and appliances incorporating plugs and socket-outlets that are regulated by the previous standard SN SEV 1011 will remain permitted until February 28, 2022.

The new standard SN 441011 must be applied as of March 1, 2022. Products and appliances incorporating plugs and socket-outlets that are compliant with the previous standard SN SEV 1011 must be withdrawn from sale and from retail outlets by December 31, 2024 at the latest. As of January 1, 2025, only products and appliances incorporating plugs and socket-outlets that are compliant with the new standard SN 441011 may be delivered, installed or assembled.

Same IEC Tumble Barrel Test, Different Measuring Criteria for Pass/Fail

IEC Tumble Barrel Test specifications can be found in IEC 60884-1 with language such as, “24.2 . . . The barrel is turned at a rate of five revolutions per minute, 10 falls per minute thus taking place. After the test, the specimens shall show no damage within the meaning of this standard. In particular, no part shall have become detached or loosened. . .”

And that’s where the new Swiss Deviation of passing or failing plugs come in. The standard SN 441011-1 section 3.9, describes the pass/fail test after the tumble barrel test has been performed. In the IEC 60884-1 section 24.2, it was required to manually fit the plug into the socket after the tumble barrel test. The deviation can be found in “3.9 Clause 24, Mechanical Strength”.

“The gauges for the tumbling barrel test are specified in series J. After the test, the gauge is positioned above the vertical pins of the plug. The test is deemed a “pass” if the gauge slides over the plug pins solely through its own weight and comes to rest on the face of the plug.”

The photos below demonstrate a pass/fail by showing the new “J” gauge.