IEC 60115 (Fixed Resistors)

IEC 60115 is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission and acts as the master document for fixed resistors. The series is structured as a generic specification (IEC 60115-1) plus subsidiary parts that target a specific construction or application: -2 leaded low-power film, -4 power resistors, -8 surface-mount low-power, -14 high-power for industrial heating and brake systems, -15 for resistor networks and arrays, and so on. It is the lineage Vishay, Yageo and most Western and Japanese suppliers reference.

The standard prescribes ~30 test categories: nominal value verification, TCR measurement, climatic sequence (-55 °C / +155 °C cycling and damp heat 56 days), short-time overload (UoV × 1.5 / 6.25 × P_R for 5 s), endurance at upper category temperature for 1000 h, terminal strength, vibration and bump resistance, soldering heat and resistance to solvents. Pass criteria are stated drift bands (e.g. ΔR ≤ ±0,5 % for category 0,5) after each test.

For specifiers, IEC 60115 compliance signals (a) the part meets a coherent reliability budget proven by accelerated tests and (b) datasheet figures (TCR, tolerance, derating) are measured per a defined protocol — not vendor-invented. Aerospace, rail and medical purchasing contracts routinely reference IEC 60115 or its industry equivalents (EIA-RS-198, JIS C 5201). The harmonised European version is EN 60115.