What is BS EN 60204‑1 - Safety of electrical equipment of machines about?
BS EN 60204 is a European Standard that discusses safety of electrical equipment of machines. The main objective of the BS EN 60204 series is to minimize occupational hazards while operating machinery by adopting best industry safety requirements.
BS EN 60204‑1 is the first part of the series that applies to electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic equipment and systems to machines not portable by hand while working, including a group of machines working together in a coordinated manner.
This part of IEC 60204 is applicable to the electrical equipment or parts of the electrical equipment that operates with nominal supply voltages not exceeding 1 000 V for alternating current (AC) and not exceeding 1 500 V for direct current (DC), and with nominal supply frequencies not exceeding 200 Hz.
Note: This part of IEC 60204 is an application standard and is not intended to limit or inhibit technological advancement.
Note: In this part of IEC 60204, the term “electrical” includes electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic matters (i.e. “electrical equipment” means electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic equipment).
Note: In the context of this part of IEC 60204, the term “person” refers to any individual and includes those persons who are assigned and instructed by the user or his agent(s) in the use and care of the machine in question.
Note: This part of IEC 60204 does not cover all the requirements (for example guarding, interlocking, or control) that are needed or required by other standards or regulations in order to protect persons from hazards other than electrical hazards. Each type of machine has unique requirements to be accommodated to provide adequate safety.
Who is BS EN 60204‑1 - Safety of electrical equipment of machines for?
BS EN 60204‑1 on electrical equipment of machines is useful for:
- Machine manufacturers
- Electrical equipment manufacturers
- System integrators
- Machinery operators and maintenance personnel
- Control system component manufacturers
- Regulatory bodies
- Quality control and safety personnel
- Regulatory bodies
Why should you use BS EN 60204‑1 - Safety of electrical equipment of machines?
Protecting workers from harm necessitates the use of safeguards. Any machine part, function, or process that has the potential to cause injury must be protected.
BS EN 60204‑1 specifies requirements for the electrical equipment of machines that are associated with the hazards relevant to the electrical equipment shall be assessed as part of the overall requirements for safety assessment of the machine. This can help you:
- Identify the need for risk reduction
- Determine adequate risk reductions
- Determine the necessary protective measures
It specifically gives you the most up-to-date guidelines to prevent failure of the safety functions BS EN 60204-1 outlines the characteristics of protective devices that detect insulation faults for a person with relevant training, education, and experience to enable him or her to perceive risks and avoid hazards associated with electricity, and to assist you in avoiding exposure to those hazards while maintaining the machine's and its equipment's appropriate performance.
Additionally, BS EN 60204-1 can help overcome power source disturbances, as well as failures or defects in power circuits, thus preventing machine malfunction.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 60204‑1:2018 supersedes BS EN 60204‑1:2006+A1:2009, which is withdrawn. BS EN 60204‑1:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 60204‑1:2006+A1:2009. These include:
- Added requirements to address applications involving power drive systems (PDS)
- Revised electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements and clarified overcurrent protection requirements
- Requirements for determination of the short circuit current rating of the electrical equipment
- Revised protective bonding requirements and terminology
- Reorganization and revision to Clause 9, including requirements pertaining to safe torque off of PDS, emergency stop, and control circuit protection
- Revised symbols for actuators of control devices and technical documentation requirements
