BS EN IEC 61010-2-091:2021+A11:2021

What is IEC 61010-2-091 about?  

IEC 61010-2-091 discusses about electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. IEC 61010-2-091 specifies safety requirements for cabinet X-ray systems.  

IEC 61010-2-091 specifies the safety requirements that are generally applicable to all equipment within its scope.  

IEC 61010-2-091 provides additional guidance for construction and assessment of extra high voltage circuits, mechanical hazards and ionizing radiation hazards which can be present in this type of equipment.  

Equipements covered in IEC 61010-2-091 can be both protected equipment and partially protected equipment, with X-ray generator voltage up to 500 kV. 

IEC 61010-2-091 specifies requirements for the design and methods of construction of cabinet X-ray systems to provide adequate protection for operators, bystanders, trained service personnel and the surrounding area against unintentionally emitted X-radiation and from mechanical hazards related to their conveyors. 

Note 1: For certain types of equipment, the requirements of IEC 61010‑1 and its amendments will be supplemented or modified by the special requirements of one, or more than one, particular Part 2s of the standard, which are to be read in conjunction with the Part 1 requirements 

Who is IEC 61010-2-091 for? 

IEC 61010-2-091 on safety requirements for cabinet X-ray systems is applicable to: 

• Industrial quality control department 
• X-ray system installers  
• Cabinet x-ray equipment manufacturers 
• End users 

Why should you use IEC 61010-2-091?  

A cabinet X-ray system is a system that contains an X-ray tube installed in a cabinet, which, independently of existing architectural structures except the floor on which it may be placed, is intended to contain at least that portion of a material being irradiated, provide radiation attenuation and prevent operator access to the radiation beam, during generation of X-radiation. 

These cabinet X-ray systems are used in industrial, commercial, and public environments, for example, to inspect materials, to analyze materials, and to screen baggage. 

IEC 61010-2-091 specifies safety requirements for cabinet X-ray systems. And provides additional guidance for construction and assessment of extra high voltage circuits, mechanical hazards and ionizing radiation hazards which can be present in this type of equipment. IEC 61010-2-091 provides protection against both radiation hazards from the direct X-ray beam and any scattered X-radiation caused by reflections of the X-ray beam on any part of the equipment or on the sample subjected to X-rays. 

The minimum safety requirements specified in IEC 61010-2-091 are considered to provide for a practical degree of safety in the operation of cabinet X-ray systems. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 61010-2-091:2021+A11:2021 supersedes BS EN 61010‑2‑091:2012, which will be withdrawn on 1 April 2024. 

BS EN IEC 61010-2-091:2021+A11:2021 includes the following significant changes from the BS EN 61010‑2‑091:2012: 

• The scope of the document has been clarified and limited to equipment up to 500 kV 
• Additional marking requirements for X-ray generating assemblies have been added 
• Requirements for high-voltage cables used in the X-ray assembly have been added 
• Insulation requirements have been added 
• Temperature requirements for beam-limiting devices have been added 
• Clarification has been provided on PROTECTED EQUIPMENT and PARTIALLY PROTECTED EQUIPMENT, and test methods 
• Requirements for INTERLOCKS have been modified, taking into account functional safety standards 
• Requirements for reasonably foreseeable misuse have been clarified 
• Risk assessment has been made mandatory for specific aspects