BS EN 61010-1:2010+A1:2019

What is this standard about?

It sets out general safety requirements to reduce the hazards faced by electrical test, measurement and process-control equipment and accessory operators.

Who is this standard for?

Any company that sells or manufactures electrical test, measurement, control and laboratory equipment or related components and assemblies.

Why should you use this standard?

It specifies general safety requirements for the following types of equipment and accessories:

1. Electrical test and measurement equipment
2. Electrical industrial process-control equipment
3. Electrical laboratory equipment

Its use ensures that hazards to the operator and surrounding area are reduced to a tolerable level. Particular hazards include:

a) Electrical shock or burn

b) Mechanical hazards

c) Spread of fire from the equipment

d) Excessive temperature

e) Effects of fluids and fluid pressure

f) Effects of radiation, including lasers sources and sonic and ultra-sonic pressure

g) Liberated gasses, explosion and implosion

What's changed since the last update?

When the third edition of 61010-1 was published in 2010, user-testing by manufacturers and test houses highlighted areas where the standard could be improved. This resulted in the following amendments:

• New guidance on lamps and lamp systems emitting ultraviolet or infrared radiation
• Inclusion of pollution degree in Clause 5.4.2. More detailed guidance on the operating environmental conditions for which the equipment is designed, including:
  • Additional guidance on the requirements of ambient temperature measurements
  • IP ratings (as defined in BS EN 60529), including new conditions for the testing of such equipment and protection requirements against solid foreign objects and water
  • Clarification on pressure test requirements, including a new chart to determine the ratio between test pressure and maximum working pressure
  • Clarification of requirements regarding protection against liberated gases and substances