BS EN 50505:2008 Basic standard for the evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from equipment for resistance welding and allied processes
This European Standard applies to equipment for resistance welding and allied processes designed
for use in industrial or domestic environments.
NOTE 1 Typical allied processes are resistance hard and soft soldering or resistance heating achieved by means comparable
to resistance welding equipment.
This European Standard establishes a suitable evaluation method for determining the electromagnetic
fields in the space around the equipment and defines standardized operating conditions and
measuring distances. It provides a method to show conformity with guidelines or requirements
concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields.
The Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and the Council [1], Article 2, stipulates that the
Member States take all appropriate measures to ensure that electrical equipment may be placed on
the market only if, having been constructed in accordance with good engineering practice in safety
matters in force in the Community, it does not endanger the safety of persons, domestic animals or
property when properly installed and maintained and used in applications for which is was made. The
principal elements of those safety objectives are listed in Annex I Clause 2.b. This standard may be
used in conjunction with EN 50445 for demonstration of conformity to the Council Directive with
reference to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). There are additional requirements
covered by Article 2 and Annex I Clause 2.b, which are not included in this document.The Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC [2] provides Basic Restrictions and Derived reference
levels for exposure of the general public. This standard may be used for demonstration of resistance
welding equipment conformity to the Council Recommendation on this basis, but there may be
additional specific national or international requirements which are not included.
The ICNIRP Guidelines [3], on limits of exposure to static magnetic fields as well as for limiting
exposure in time varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, provide Basic restrictions and
Derived reference levels for both occupational and general exposure. This standard may be used for
demonstration of equipment conformity to ICNIRP Guidelines on this basis, but there may be
additional national or international requirements which are not included.
It is also possible to use this document as a basis to demonstrate conformity of resistance welding
equipment to other national and international guidelines or requirements with regard to human
exposure from EMF, for example Council Directive 2004/40/EC [4] on the minimum health and safety
requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risk arising from physical agents
(electromagnetic fields), or the requirements of the Directive 98/37/EC [5]. In these cases, other
restrictions and levels than those referenced above may be used.
Other standards may apply to equipment covered by this standard. In particular this standard can not
be used to demonstrate electromagnetic compatibility with other equipment; nor does it specify any
product safety requirements other than those specifically related to human exposure to
electromagnetic fields.
The frequency range covered is 0 Hz to 300 GHz.
NOTE 2 Procedures to demonstrate conformity are not specified for the whole frequency range.
BS EN 50505:2008 Referenced Document
EN 50392:2004 Generic standard to demonstrate the compliance of electronic and electrical apparatus with the basic restrictions related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 GHz)
EN 50445:2008 Product family standard to demonstrate compliance of equipment for resistance welding, arc welding and allied processes with the basic restrictions related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 GHz)
EN 61566:1997 Measurement of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Field Strength in the Frequency Range 100 kHz to 1 GHz
EN 62226-1:2005 Exposure to electric or magnetic fields in the low and intermediate frequency range Methods for calculating the current density and internal electric field induced in the human body Part 1: General
EN 62226-2-1:2005 Exposure to electric or magnetic fields in the low and intermediate frequency range Methods for calculating the current density and internal electric field induced in the human body Part 2-1: Exposure to magnetic fields 2D models
EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025:2005)
ISO 669:2000 Resistance welding - Resistance welding equipment - Mechanical and electrical requirements
BS EN 50505:2008 history
2008BS EN 50505:2008 Basic standard for the evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from equipment for resistance welding and allied processes