SIST EN 60526:2005

Overview - EN 60526:2004 (High-voltage cable plug and socket connections for medical X‑ray equipment)

EN 60526:2004 is a CENELEC (CLC) European adoption of IEC 60526 (modified) that standardizes high-voltage cable plug and socket connections used in medical X‑ray equipment. The standard defines the essential and recommended dimensions, wiring connections to contacts, and marking of plug and socket contacts to ensure mechanical interchangeability, safe connection, and consistent identification across devices and suppliers. It was approved by CENELEC on 2004-07-06 and has national implementations (for example SIST EN 60526:2005 in Slovenia).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Essential dimensions and recommended dimensions: specifies physical sizes and tolerances required for mechanical compatibility between plugs and sockets.
• Mechanical interchangeability: ensures connectors from different manufacturers mate reliably, reducing risk of incompatible HV connections in X‑ray systems.
• Wiring connections: describes which contacts are used for high-voltage conductors and associated wiring practices so functional connections are consistent.
• Marking of contacts: requires clear identification of plug and socket contacts to avoid miswiring and support maintenance and testing.
• Scope and conformity: aligned with IEC 60526:1978 (with CENELEC modifications) and intended for diagnostic imaging equipment applications.

Note: EN 60526:2004 harmonizes earlier documents (e.g., HD 364 S2:1983) and references the IEC technical committee for diagnostic imaging (TC 62 / SC 62B).

Applications and Who Uses This Standard

Practical uses and users include:

• Manufacturers of high‑voltage cables, plugs, and sockets for medical X‑ray systems - to design components that are mechanically and electrically compatible.
• Medical device designers and systems integrators - to specify compliant connectors ensuring cross-manufacturer interoperability.
• Biomedical service engineers and hospital maintenance teams - to identify correct connectors and reduce installation errors.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors - to verify mechanical dimensions, wiring, and marking against the standard.
• Procurement and regulatory compliance teams - to require standardized connectors that meet European expectations for safety and interchangeability.

Using EN 60526:2004 reduces installation risk, simplifies spare-parts sourcing, and supports safer, more maintainable X‑ray equipment.

Related Standards

• IEC 60526:1978 - original international standard forming the basis for EN 60526:2004 (with modifications).
• HD 364 S2:1983 - earlier harmonization document superseded by EN 60526.
• CENELEC/CENELEC TC 62 publications - for related medical electrical equipment standards.

Keywords: EN 60526:2004, high‑voltage cable plug and socket connections, medical X‑ray equipment, CLC, IEC 60526, mechanical interchangeability, wiring connections, connector marking.