DIN/IEC vs IEEE/ANSI Bushing Standards Explained

When procuring high-voltage equipment worldwide, you will often meet two standard families: the international IEC 60137 (with which German DIN VDE 0670 is largely aligned) and the North American IEEE/ANSI C57.19 series. Understanding the differences avoids confusion in specification and acceptance.

The two systems at a glance

• DIN / IEC: IEC 60137 "Bushings for alternating voltages above 1000 V" is the most universal international standard; German DIN VDE 0670 aligns with it and is widely used in Europe, Asia and most international markets.
• IEEE / ANSI: IEEE C57.19.00 (general requirements) and C57.19.01 (outdoor power apparatus bushings) are widely used in North America.

Key differences

• Rated current and temperature rise: the two systems set slightly different temperature-rise limits and test currents.
• Test voltages: the sequences of power-frequency and lightning-impulse (BIL) test voltages differ.
• Creepage distance: IEC specifies specific creepage by pollution class (I–IV); IEEE gives recommendations by contamination zone.
• Terminology: expressions such as "rated voltage" and "test tap" differ between systems.

How to choose

• Exporting to Europe, Asia, the Middle East or Africa → prefer IEC / DIN.
• Exporting to North America → prefer IEEE / ANSI.
• For multi-region export, choose products that meet both systems and agree on the acceptance criteria explicitly.

Ever Power designs and tests high-voltage porcelain bushings to DIN / IEEE / ANSI standards, meeting acceptance requirements across markets. Before ordering, confirm the standard system of your target market so we can provide the correct test reports and type parameters.