Monthly Roundup: Electrical Engineering Standards from May 2025

Looking back at May 2025, the Electrical Engineering sector witnessed the publication of five influential standards addressing everything from the smart integration of charging stations with local energy systems to rigorous safety and testing protocols for advanced surge protection and motion detection. For industry professionals, this overview is designed to provide in-depth context, highlight interlinking trends, and summarize crucial requirements. Understanding these releases is essential for staying current with compliance mandates and seizing technological opportunities in Electrical Engineering.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

In May 2025, standardization activity in Electrical Engineering was notable for its multidimensional approach, addressing pressing industry needs such as smart grid communications, machinery safety, DC surge protection, and advanced sensing in smart buildings. The diverse selection of standards reflects a continued drive toward digital integration, robust safety, and precise measurement in the evolving energy and automation landscape.

Several core trends emerged:

• Smart system interoperability: With the focus on standardized interfaces between electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and local energy management, the industry is prioritizing seamless, secure data exchange.
• Safety and compliance for emerging environments: Revision of major machinery safety standards and new protocols for surge protection demonstrate increased regulatory attention to both established and novel electrical hazards.
• Measurement and transparency: Enhanced methodologies for measuring and declaring detection ranges in motion sensors illustrate a longer-term move toward data-driven selection and deployment of devices.

Compared to previous cycles, this month featured especially strong progress on harmonizing protocols for smart electrical applications and updating foundational safety standards, indicating a direction toward integrated, future-resistant engineering solutions.

Standards Published This Month

EN IEC 63380-1:2025 – Standard Interface for Connecting Charging Stations to Local Energy Management Systems – Part 1: General Requirements, Use Cases and Abstract Messages

Standard Interface for Connecting Charging Stations to Local Energy Management Systems – Part 1: General Requirements, Use Cases and Abstract Messages

This standard establishes the secure information exchange framework between EV charging stations and local energy management systems (EMS). By defining both user scenarios and abstract data models, it sets the groundwork for interoperable charging infrastructure within smart buildings and microgrids. The standard specifies how local EMS communicate with charging station controllers, with detailed message sequences and generic data structures supporting a wide variety of real-world use cases.

Key requirements include:

• Robust, secure messaging interfaces between EMS and EV charging stations
• Use case mapping covering commissioning, coordinated charging, power limitation, monitoring, and more
• Support for coordination with standards like ISO 15118 and IEC 61851 for greater ecosystem compatibility

Who should take note? This standard is vital for manufacturers of EV infrastructure, facilities managers, smart grid solution providers, and anyone integrating EV charging into broader energy management strategies. It aligns with wider smart city and building automation trends, and its adoption is likely to be referenced in utility grid codes and procurement specifications.

Key highlights:

• Supports bidirectional (V2G) charging scenarios
• Includes extensive user story and actor mapping
• Facilitates dynamic load balancing and overload prevention

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 63380-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60204-32:2025 – Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment of Machines – Part 32: Requirements for Hoisting Machines

Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment of Machines – Part 32: Requirements for Hoisting Machines

A substantial revision in machinery safety, this standard applies to the electrical, electronic, and programmable components of hoisting machines—covering cranes, winches, hoists, monorail systems, and more. The document addresses both electrical safety hazards and the integration of complex, coordinated hoisting equipment.

Requirements span from the point of power supply connection to the full array of control, protection, and operational functionalities. It includes selection and installation guidance for electrical equipment, environmental conditions, compatibility considerations, and special cases (such as explosive atmospheres or mine use).

Target audiences include machinery manufacturers, OEM integrators, safety inspectors, and plant engineering teams. This edition brings it fully in line with emerging best practices and electrical installation requirements from related standards (such as IEC 60364 series).

Key highlights:

• Broad equipment coverage, including all major crane types and hoist devices
• Integration with functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061)
• Detailed environmental and EMC requirements for diverse operating contexts

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60204-32:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61643-41:2025 – Low-Voltage Surge Protective Devices – Part 41: Surge Protective Devices Connected to DC Low-Voltage Power Systems – Requirements and Test Methods

Low-Voltage Surge Protective Devices – Part 41: Surge Protective Devices Connected to DC Low-Voltage Power Systems – Requirements and Test Methods

This technical standard addresses the performance and testing requirements for surge protective devices (SPDs) operating on DC low-voltage circuits, up to 1,500 V DC. It is particularly consequential for energy storage, data center DC systems, and critical infrastructure applications, as well as for emerging railway and industrial DC power scenarios.

IEC 61643-41:2025 works in conjunction with the general IEC 61643-01. It outlines product classification, marking, installation, and service conditions, with special attention to verifying device performance in real-world transient events (such as lightning or switching surges). Specific exemptions and application notes (e.g., for PV SPDs handled by IEC 61643-31) provide clarity for system designers.

Primary stakeholders are component manufacturers, electrical designers, infrastructure operators, and critical facility engineers. The increased attention to DC surge protection mirrors the industry’s growing use of DC microgrids and uninterruptible power systems.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive performance and safety test protocols
• Applicability to a wide range of DC low-voltage environments
• Interlock with other relevant surge protection norms

Access the full standard:View IEC 61643-41:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 63180:2020 (inc. AMD1:2025) – Methods of Measurement and Declaration of the Detection Range of Detectors – Passive Infrared Detectors for Major and Minor Motion Detection

Methods of Measurement and Declaration of the Detection Range of Detectors – Passive Infrared Detectors for Major and Minor Motion Detection

This standard, with its consolidated 2025 edition and Amendment 1, provides a unified methodology for testing, measurement, and reporting on the detection ranges of passive infrared (PIR) sensors—devices central to lighting automation, occupancy detection, and building management systems. Introducing improvements in test environment tolerances, mounting height recommendations, and alternative procedures for large-area sensing, this update supports a new level of transparency and comparability in device specification.

The document addresses scenarios for both major (walking) and minor (small movement) motion, mandating repeatable tests and standardized reporting formats for integrators, specifiers, and system designers. This aids in accurate system design and performance verification, reducing the risk of sensor misapplication in sophisticated environments.

It is relevant for manufacturers, building automation engineers, energy managers, and facility maintenance teams looking to deliver optimal comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.

Key highlights:

• Uniform test and reporting method for major and minor motion detection
• Enhanced provisions for environmental and measurement repeatability (Amendment 1)
• Supports precise device selection and performance verification in smart buildings

Access the full standard:View IEC 63180:2020 on iTeh Standards

Access the full consolidated/amended version:View IEC 63180:2020 (CSV version with Amendment 1:2025) on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

The May 2025 portfolio signals a strong and ongoing convergence between traditional electrical infrastructures and intelligent, data-driven systems:

• Digitalization and communication: The drive for unified messaging and protocol standards (exemplified by EN IEC 63380-1:2025) reflects industry-wide priorities in digitalization, interoperability, and distributed energy resources.
• System-level safety: The revision of machinery electrical safety (EN IEC 60204-32:2025) emphasizes that safe integration must now account for interconnected, programmable systems as much as basic wiring and power supply.
• Surge event preparedness: With advances in DC applications, the focus on specialized surge protection (IEC 61643-41:2025) points to new risk frameworks in renewable energy, electrified transportation, and mission-critical installations.
• Data-driven performance verification: The updated PIR measurement standard (IEC 63180:2020 with Amendment 1) emphasizes empirical, repeatable device evaluation—a trend supporting the growing complexity of smart building and IoT environments.

The clustering of standards around EV charging, smart energy management, safety in complex hoisting, and reliable detection in modern buildings identifies these as strategic growth and compliance areas for the next several years.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations affected by these standards should consider the following priorities:

1. Review system architecture for interface compatibility: For EV infrastructure projects, verify that EMS, charging stations, and backend systems align with EN IEC 63380-1:2025 frameworks to futureproof deployments.
2. Update safety assessments and design processes: Machinery employing hoisting equipment should be re-audited to ensure compliance with the detailed requirements and expanded equipment list in EN IEC 60204-32:2025.
3. Integrate DC surge protection analysis: Railways, energy storage, and industrial plant projects using DC systems should review SPD designs and test protocols in light of IEC 61643-41:2025.
4. Specify and validate sensor performance: Building designers, integrators, and energy managers must use the latest IEC 63180:2020/AMD1:2025 methodologies for selecting and verifying PIR motion detectors.

Timeline considerations:

• Many standards have transition periods (typically 12-36 months) for withdrawal of conflicting national standards. Early adoption facilitates smoother procurement and contractual compliance.
• Engage with certification bodies and technical consultants early for system impact analysis and documentation updates.

Recommended resources:

• Review the linked standards on iTeh Standards for full technical details.
• Participate in relevant industry forums and working groups to exchange best practices and implementation experiences.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

The standards published during May 2025 broadly advance the Electrical Engineering sector toward integrated, secure, and resilient systems. Key takeaways for professionals include:

• Adoption of robust interoperability protocols (EN IEC 63380-1:2025) is essential for future project scalability.
• Revising safety practices for a new era of machinery (EN IEC 60204-32:2025) minimizes risk in dynamic production environments.
• Investing in DC-specific surge protection (IEC 61643-41:2025) is increasingly vital as direct current infrastructure expands.
• Validating sensor technologies with standardized methods (IEC 63180:2020/AMD1:2025) ensures performance transparency and suitability in smart environments.

Staying abreast of these standards is not just a regulatory obligation—it positions organizations to leverage technological change, reduce risk, and foster innovation. Professionals are encouraged to explore each full standard via iTeh Standards and integrate applicable requirements into their strategic roadmaps for compliance and technical leadership.