Printed Circuits and Boards: Essential Standards for Design, IoT, and Electrical Installations
- Valentina Bosenko
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
In today’s era of rapid digital transformation, electronics are at the heart of every major industry. Modern electronic products rely on advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs), robust connectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), and safe, well-understood electrical installations. Making sense of the technical requirements can be daunting, but implementing the right international standards—such as SIST EN IEC 61188-6-3:2025, SIST IEC 60050-741:2024, and SIST IEC 60050-826:2023—is essential to ensure top-tier productivity, product security, and sustainable scaling for any business involved in electronics manufacturing or integration. This guide provides a clear, accessible overview of three influential standards, presenting what they cover and why compliance is non-negotiable in today’s fast-paced market.
Overview / Introduction
The electronics sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by innovation in printed circuits, IoT integration, and the expansion of smart and secure electrical installations. As products become smarter and more connected, the need for reliable, safe, and universally understood design practices is greater than ever. Whether you’re a product designer, manufacturer, system integrator, or installer, adhering to the latest standards is the foundation for competitive advantage.
In this article, you will discover:
How land pattern design for through-hole components impacts PCB reliability
Why standardized vocabulary for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies matters
The importance of clear terminology in electrical installations
You’ll find actionable insights on each standard—what it addresses, who should apply it, and how it enables increased productivity, enhances security, and supports business scaling.
Detailed Standards Coverage
SIST EN IEC 61188-6-3:2025 - Land Pattern Design for Through-Hole Components
Circuit boards and circuit board assemblies – Design and use – Part 6-3: Land pattern design – Description of land pattern for through hole components (THT)
This standard is the cornerstone for printed circuit board (PCB) designers and manufacturers focusing on through-hole technology (THT) components. It establishes comprehensive requirements for land patterns—which are the specific areas on a PCB where components’ leads are soldered through holes.
The standard is based on the solder joint integrity requirements of the IEC 61191 series and replaces earlier iterations of the IEC 61188-5 series. It addresses both surface mount and through-hole configurations, ensuring modern manufacturing techniques are fully supported. Detailed calculations and requirements are provided to accommodate the ever-increasing diversity in component shapes, sizes, and mounting processes, including manual and automated assembly.
Key requirements and specifications:
Defines the configuration and size of soldering lands for robust, reliable connections
Considers different component lead shapes (round, square, rectangular)
Specifies requirements for multiple pad types—outer layer, solder masks, thermal pads, and anti-pads
Incorporates state-of-the-art tolerances for drilling, plating, and assembly, ensuring manufacturability and durability
Who should comply: This standard is targeted at anyone involved in PCB design, manufacturing, and assembly, including electronics manufacturers, contract assemblers, engineers, and design houses.
Practical implications and notable features:
Improved consistency: Reduces variability in PCB manufacturing, supporting mass production and reliability
Enhanced productivity: Streamlined assembly processes, accommodating both manual and automated insertion
Future-readiness: Supports new component types and processes, allowing businesses to keep pace with technological change
Key highlights:
Comprehensive requirements for THT land patterns based on component and board characteristics
Synergy with IEC 61191 series for solder joint reliability
Annex A offers clear calculations and process flows for hole sizing and land design
Access the full standard: View SIST EN IEC 61188-6-3:2025 on iTeh Standards
SIST IEC 60050-741:2024 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Internet of Things (IoT)
International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 741: Internet of Things (IoT)
As the world moves towards ubiquitous connectivity, the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and smart cities. Effective communication in this landscape requires universally accepted definitions and concepts.
This standard delivers a comprehensive vocabulary for all things IoT. Harmonizing with other parts of the IEV and horizontal standards, it defines core IoT concepts such as device address, application, system architecture, cloud computing, security, and more. These terms are vital for interoperability between different devices and systems, and for ensuring compliance across international projects and technical documentation.
Key requirements and specifications:
Defines over 50 essential terms underpinning IoT, such as endpoint address, application, asset, availability, compliance, and data store
Ensures alignment with ISO/IEC terminology, supporting global communication and integration
Suitable for use in technical documents, specifications, and software development
Who should comply: Engineers, systems integrators, software developers, manufacturers, and anyone involved in IoT system design, implementation, or documentation.
Practical implications and notable features:
Reduces ambiguity: Facilitates precise communication in complex multi-vendor projects
Promotes security: Clear definitions prevent misunderstandings in IoT security protocols (e.g., confidentiality, compliance)
Speeds innovation: Harmonized vocabulary enables faster onboarding of new team members and easier scaling across markets
Key highlights:
Definitions of vital IoT concepts, supporting clarity and technical interoperability
Approved as a horizontal standard per IEC Guide 108
Terminology sourced from Electropedia—the world’s leading electrotechnical knowledge base
Access the full standard: View SIST IEC 60050-741:2024 on iTeh Standards
SIST IEC 60050-826:2023 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Electrical Installations
International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 826: Electrical installations
Electrical installations in buildings—residential, industrial, or commercial—demand precision, safety, and compliance with ever-evolving practices. This standard provides a harmonized set of definitions for the general terminology used in electrical installations.
Primarily intended for use by technical committees (but equally beneficial for consultants, installers, and inspectors), the vocabulary ensures consistent interpretation of specifications, methods, and safety measures. This edition achieves compliance with IEC 61140 and incorporates terms from recent updates in electrical installation standards, expanding its scope to cover modern efficiency concepts and smart grids.
Key requirements and specifications:
Covers characteristics of electrical installations, voltage and current definitions, protective measures, earthing, wiring, energy efficiency, and smart grid terms
Strictly aligns with IEC 61140:2016, reflecting the latest developments in protection against electric shock and installation safety
Built for use both in documentation and practical planning/implementation
Who should comply: Electrical engineers, designers, contractors, safety inspectors, regulatory authorities, and all parties responsible for designing or maintaining safe electrical installations.
Practical implications and notable features:
Reduces misinterpretation: Ensures project teams use a common language for safety, design, and compliance
Promotes international trade and compliance: Facilitates clear specifications and tender documents for global projects
Supports new tech: Extends terminology to energy efficiency and smart grid applications for future-proof operations
Key highlights:
Unified vocabulary for all aspects of electrical installations
Fully updated to include the latest energy efficiency and smart grid terminology
Basis for seamless, integrated design and safety protocols
Access the full standard: View SIST IEC 60050-826:2023 on iTeh Standards
Industry Impact & Compliance
Why Implement These Standards?
Implementing current electronics industry standards is not just a matter of ticking a compliance checkbox. These three standards underpin:
Quality Assurance: Guaranteeing reliable product performance and reducing the risk of failures due to misunderstood requirements or inconsistent design approaches.
Productivity Enhancement: Streamlined terminology and well-defined land patterns accelerate design, manufacturing, and integration processes, lowering costs and development time.
Security and Safety: Accurate communication and compliance with essential safety requirements reduce liability, protect end users, and reinforce brand integrity.
Scalability: Adhering to global standards allows organizations to scale operations easily, access international markets, and support interoperability in complex, connected environments.
Compliance Considerations
Regulatory Requirements: Many jurisdictions mandate adherence to internationally recognized standards in electronics, IoT, and electrical installations.
Customer Confidence: Clients increasingly demand evidence of compliance, particularly in safety- or mission-critical applications.
Risk Management: Non-compliance can lead to costly recalls, product failures, or legal exposure.
Benefits of Adopting These Standards
Better integration across supply chains and global teams
Shorter time to market for new products and solutions
Fewer misunderstandings and technical errors
Simplified training and onboarding
Enhanced interoperability between systems, products, and services
Implementation Guidance
Common Implementation Approaches
Gap Assessment: Evaluate current design, manufacturing, or documentation practices against standard requirements. Identify areas needing updates or retraining.
Process Alignment: Integrate the requirements from these standards into standard operating procedures (SOPs), CAD libraries, assembly checklists, and technical documentation.
Training: Ensure engineers, assemblers, developers, and installers understand both the technical and conceptual updates introduced in these standards.
Continuous Monitoring: Establish mechanisms for regular review and re-alignment as standards evolve or as new editions are published.
Best Practices for Adopting These Standards
Use official vocabularies from IEV standards in all technical documents and software, reducing ambiguity and translation errors.
In PCB design, leverage standardized land patterns directly within design tools and libraries, ensuring manufacturability and compliance from the outset.
Validate product documentation, installation manuals, and safety procedures against the latest IEV terminology.
Prioritize early integration of IoT and electrical installation vocabularies in multidisciplinary projects—especially those spanning hardware and software teams.
Organizational Resources and Support
Access the latest standards from authoritative platforms such as iTeh Standards
Engage in industry seminars and online training covering updates in PCB design, IoT, and electrical installation standards
Participate in standards committee work or industry forums to anticipate future changes
Conclusion / Next Steps
In an industry shaped by relentless innovation, implementing standards like SIST EN IEC 61188-6-3:2025, SIST IEC 60050-741:2024, and SIST IEC 60050-826:2023 is mandatory for any business seeking reliability, safety, and growth in electronics. These international guidelines unify the language for designers, manufacturers, and installers—reducing errors, boosting efficiency, and driving long-term success.
What should you do next?
Review your current design and documentation practices for alignment with these standards
Train your teams on the latest requirements and vocabulary
Adopt the standards across your projects, from PCB layout to IoT system planning and electrical installation
Stay updated as standards evolve—explore full versions and latest editions at iTeh Standards
By making standards compliance a strategic priority, you not only enhance your products but also your organization’s resilience and capacity to thrive in the connected world.
Comments