Testing electric toys.

Toy testing is always conducted under the most unfavourable conditions for toys. The temperature of the toy must not rise too much during testing, and toys must not be damaged after testing in such a way that it affects their compliance with the standard.

The first test is carried out using toys under normal operating conditions. The heating of various parts is determined. Then, the insulation between parts of different polarity, accessible after removing removable parts, is short-circuited in turn. In this case, removable parts do not include lamps. The above tests continue until continuity is achieved.

In the next test, any temperature-limiting control device is short-circuited and the temperature rise is examined. If there are several control devices, they are short-circuited one at a time. If the product has a resettable temperature limiter, the tests shall continue until this limiter operates or until continuity of the circuit is achieved.

Not all tests for heating and abnormal operation described in clause 9 of EN 62115 are performed for all types of toys. The test specified in clause 9.6 is only performed for toys containing motors. Accessible moving parts are locked and the toy is operated under normal conditions. The temperature of the parts is indicated. If the toy has more than one motor, the parts are locked one motor at a time.

If the toy is powered by hand or foot, the test continues for 30 seconds. Otherwise, the test continues until the resettable temperature limiter is activated or a steady state is reached.

For transformer toys, dual-powered toys and battery-operated toys, an additional test is performed in which the toys are connected to a power source other than that recommended in the instructions. The additional power source is identical to the toy's power source. The additional power source is connected either in series or in parallel, depending on which condition is less favourable. Connections shall be made without tools, using parts from two identical toys or construction sets.

Tests for electronic circuits in toys are specified in clause 9.8 of the standard.

Clauses 10 and 12 of standard EN 62115 concern the dielectric strength of the toy at operating temperature and at room temperature. Electrical insulation shall be sufficient at both operating temperature and room temperature. No breakdown shall occur when one of the connectors of all components directly connected to the power supply is disconnected and a sinusoidal voltage of 50 Hz or 60 Hz with a value of 250 V is applied between the live parts of different poles for one minute. 

Section 11 of EN 62115 deals with moisture resistance. Electric toys must be moisture resistant. Toys from which removable parts have been removed must be stored in a humidity chamber with a relative humidity of (93 ± 3) % for 48 hours. After that, the toys must withstand the above-mentioned voltage test at room temperature.

Battery-operated toys intended for use in water, as well as toys intended to be cleaned with liquid, must be equipped with a protective cover.

Toys that can be cleaned with liquid must be tested in accordance with IEC 60529. After testing, excess water must be removed.

The toy must withstand a tensile strength test at room temperature. There must be no traces of water on the surface of the insulation that could reduce the surface and air gaps to the values specified in clause 18 of EN 62115. Removable parts should be removed from toys intended for use in water if this is less favourable for the toy. The toy should then be immersed in water containing 1% NaCl to a depth of at least 150 mm. The toy should be used for 15 minutes. After this, the water should be drained from the toy and the body should be wiped dry.

The tensile strength test should be carried out at room temperature.

The mechanical strength requirements for electrical toys are set out in clause 13 of EN 62115. The casings should be sufficiently strong from a mechanical point of view. This is verified by carrying out the Ehb test of IEC 60068-2-75. Six impacts with an energy of 0.7 J are applied to each potentially weak point, with the toy firmly secured.

The parts that must not detach during the tensile test are specified in clause 14.11 of standard EN 62115. These are parts that cannot be removed and that prevent contact with moving parts or hot surfaces, or that prevent access to areas where an explosion or fire may occur. These parts must be securely fastened. Parts must withstand the mechanical stresses that occur during normal use.