IEC 60601-2-2:2009

IEC 60601-2-2 ®
Edition 5.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Medical electrical equipment –
Part 2-2: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance
of high frequency surgical equipment and high frequency surgical accessories

Appareils électromédicaux –
Partie 2-2: Exigences particulières pour la sécurité de base et les performances
essentielles des appareils d'électrochirurgie à courant haute fréquence et des
accessoires d'électrochirurgie à courant haute fréquence

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either IEC or
IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: inmail@iec.ch
Web: www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
ƒ Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
ƒ Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
ƒ Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: csc@iec.ch
Tél.: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
IEC 60601-2-2 ®
Edition 5.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Medical electrical equipment –
Part 2-2: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance
of high frequency surgical equipment and high frequency surgical accessories

Appareils électromédicaux –
Partie 2-2: Exigences particulières pour la sécurité de base et les performances
essentielles des appareils d'électrochirurgie à courant haute fréquence et des
accessoires d'électrochirurgie à courant haute fréquence

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
XC
CODE PRIX
ICS 11.040.30 ISBN 978-2-88910-213-6
– 2 – 60601-2-2 © IEC:2009
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4
INTRODUCTION.7
201.1 Scope, object and related standards .8
201.2 Normative references .9
201.3 Terms and definitions.10
201.4 General requirements.13
201.5 General requirements for testing of ME EQUIPMENT.14
201.6 Classification of ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS .14
201.7 ME EQUIPMENT identification, marking and documents.14
201.8 Protection against electrical HAZARDS from ME EQUIPMENT.19
201.9 Protection against mechanical hazards of ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS.33
201.10 Protection against unwanted and excessive radiation HAZARDS.33
201.11 Protection against excessive temperatures and other HAZARDS.34
201.12 Accuracy of controls and instruments and protection against hazardous
outputs.35
201.13 HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS and fault conditions.41
201.14 PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRICAL MEDICAL SYSTEMS (PEMS) .42
201.15 Construction of ME EQUIPMENT .42
201.16 ME SYSTEMs .46
201.17 Electromagnetic compatibility of ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS .46
202 * Electromagnetic compatibility – Requirements and tests .46
208 General requirements, tests and guidance for alarm systems in medical
electrical equipment and medical electrical systems.47
Annexes .47
Annex AA (informative) Particular guidance and rationale.48
Annex BB (informative) ELECTROMAGNETIC DISTURBANCES created by HF SURGICAL
EQUIPMENT .70
Bibliography.79

Figure 201.101 – Symbol used with an EARTH REFERENCED PATIENT CIRCUIT.14
HF ISOLATED PATIENT CIRCUIT .15
Figure 201.102 – Symbol used with a
Figure 201.103 – Circuit suitable for testing compliance to 201.8.4.101 .20
Figure 201.104 – Measurement of HF LEAKAGE CURRENT with NEUTRAL ELECTRODE
referenced to earth and load between electrodes.23
Figure 201.105 – Measurement of HF LEAKAGE CURRENT with NEUTRAL ELECTRODE
referenced to earth and load from ACTIVE ELECTRODE to earth .24
Figure 201.106 – Measurement of HF LEAKAGE CURRENT with NEUTRAL ELECTRODE
isolated from earth at HIGH FREQUENCY.25
Figure 201.107 – Measurement of HF LEAKAGE CURRENT from a BIPOLAR ELECTRODE .26
Figure 201.108 – Test apparatus for anchorages of cords of ACTIVE ACCESSORY.32
Figure 201.109 – Measurement of output power – MONOPOLAR output .37
Figure 201.110 – Measurement of output power – BIPOLAR output.38

60601-2-2 © IEC:2009 – 3 –
Figure 201.111 – Method of testing feedback from one active output to another in
simultaneous activation.41
Figure AA.1 – Example of various parts of an HF surgical system.49
Figure AA.2 – CREST FACTOR vs. peak voltage .53
Figure AA.3 – Example of PATIENT circuit with NEUTRAL ELECTRODE referenced to earth
at operating frequencies .57
Figure BB.1 – E-FIELD EMISSIONS test setup.73
Figure BB.2 – H-FIELD EMISSIONS test setup .74
Figure BB.3 – Conducted EMISSIONS test setup .75
Figure BB.4 – Unit ad hoc test .77
Figure BB.5 – Power cord ad hoc test.78
Figure BB.6 – ACCESSORY cord ad hoc test .78

Table 201.101 – Colours of indicator lights and their meaning for HF SURGICAL
EQUIPMENT .15
Table 201.102 – Maximum output powers in SINGLE FAULT CONDITIONS .40
Table 201.103 – Test currents by weight range.44
Table AA.1 – Summary of measured current and durations for 25 TUR procedures.65
Table AA.2 – Summary of measured currents and durations for general surgical
procedures .66
Table BB.1 – Worst case emissions of spark gap type HF SURGICAL EQUIPMENT .76
Table BB.2 – Worst case emissions of non-spark gap (modern) HF SURGICAL EQUIPMENT .76

– 4 – 60601-2-2 © IEC:2009
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT –

Part 2-2: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential
performance of high frequency surgical equipment and
high frequency surgical accessories

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees
...