2. Getting involved
3. Standards Committees
4. DKE

DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

Overview

IEC 61340-6-1 applies to facilities that provide healthcare including hospitals, care centres and clinics. This document provides technical requirements and recommendations for controlling electrostatic phenomena in healthcare facilities, which includes requirements for equipment, materials, and products used to control static electricity. The requirements of this document do not apply to medical electrical equipment specified in IEC 60601-1 and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical equipment specified in IEC 61010‑2‑101. The standard differs from DIN EN IEC 61340-6-1 (VDE 0300-6-1):2019-08 as follows: a) a normative reference has been updated; b) the procedures for monitoring protection against electrostatic discharge in classified areas and the examples of typical areas have been revised in subclause 5.3; c) subclauses 5.6.3.2 and 5.6.3.3 have been supplemented with requirements for cases in which the required earthing resistance cannot be achieved; d) clause headings have been adapted. Static electricity can pose a hazard to patients and staff in healthcare facilities in many ways. These hazards include: - electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and immunity to electrostatic discharge (ESD) of medical equipment and data processing systems; - damage to electronic components that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge and assemblies during operation and maintenance; - electrostatic attraction (ESA) and contamination; - ignition of flammable gases, liquids, and other materials; - electrostatic discharge ("shock") to persons. Appropriate electrostatic monitoring can prevent such hazards and adverse effects or at least reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 185 - Elektrostatik