IEC 61674-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Medical electrical equipment — Dosimeters with ionization chambers and/or semiconductor detectors as used in X‑ray diagnostic imaging. Edition 3.0 (IEC 61674:2024) specifies performance and selected constructional requirements for diagnostic dosimeters intended to measure air kerma, air kerma length product and air kerma rate in photon radiation fields used in radiography, radioscopy, mammography and computed tomography for X‑radiation in the nominal range 20 kV to 150 kV.

Abstract

IEC 61674:2024 is a technical revision of the diagnostic‑dosimeter standard that cancels and replaces IEC 61674:2012. The 2024 edition updates test requirements and removes or revises a number of legacy compliance tests (for example, some analogue‑display tests and certain range/leakage/recombination checks) to reflect modern dosimeter designs; it also clarifies mammography test conditions and manufacturer responsibilities for specified radiation qualities. A commented (CMV) version combining the official text with expert comments is also published.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 9 July 2024 (base edition).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 (Radiographic equipment); related category: 17.240 (Radiation measurements).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (IEC 61674:2024).
• Number of pages: Base IEC edition: approximately 75 pages; commented (CMV) publication: ~116 pages (CMV includes the official text plus expert comments).

Scope

Applies to diagnostic dosimeters employing vented ionization chambers and/or semiconductor detectors for measurement of air kerma, air kerma length product (K·L) and air kerma rate in photon fields used in diagnostic X‑ray imaging (radiography, radioscopy, mammography and CT) for generating potentials in the range of about 20 kV to 150 kV. The standard defines reference test conditions, performance limits, uncertainty evaluation methods and marking/accompanying documentation required for compliance testing. IEC 61674:2024 cancels and replaces the 2012 edition.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance requirements for diagnostic dosimeters: accuracy, linearity, repeatability and energy dependence (air kerma, K·L and kerma rate).
• Applicable detector types: vented ionization chambers and semiconductor detectors (designated test methods for each).
• Reference radiation qualities and specific provisions for mammography (manufacturer‑specified reference values and minimum rated range for energy dependence testing).
• Updated/removed compliance tests for modern instruments (e.g., removal of analogue‑display test, removal of separate range‑reset/leakage/recombination tests where covered by linearity testing) and revised uncertainty estimation.
• Marking, accompanying documentation and information the manufacturer must supply for conformity assessment and end‑user use.
• Guidance on environmental and operational influences (temperature, humidity, air pressure, electromagnetic compatibility) and test arrangements for CT detectors (effective length and spatial uniformity).

Typical use and users

Primary users include medical physicists, clinical dosimetry laboratories, equipment manufacturers and R&D groups developing or calibrating diagnostic dosimeters, national standards bodies and regulatory authorities responsible for radiation‑safety oversight, and accredited test laboratories performing compliance and type‑testing of dosimetry instruments. The standard is used for design verification, type testing, calibration traceability and procurement specifications.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside IEC 61674 include IEC 61010‑1 (electrical safety requirements for laboratory and measurement equipment), and standards that define X‑ray reference radiation conditions and imaging test methods such as IEC 61267 (radiation conditions for determination of characteristics of medical diagnostic X‑ray equipment). The 2012 edition of IEC 61674 explicitly referred electrical‑safety requirements to IEC 61010‑1. Users should check national adoptions (EN/BS/UNE variants) for additional cross‑references and forewords.

Keywords

dosimeter; diagnostic dosimetry; air kerma; air kerma length product; ionization chamber; semiconductor detector; X‑ray diagnostic imaging; radiography; radioscopy; mammography; computed tomography; performance tests; calibration; IEC 61674:2024.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61674:2024 is the international standard that specifies performance and selected constructional requirements for diagnostic dosimeters (ionization‑chamber and semiconductor detector types) used to measure air kerma, air kerma length product and air kerma rate in X‑ray diagnostic imaging.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement performance criteria (accuracy, linearity, repeatability), test methods and reference radiation conditions for radiography, radioscopy, mammography and CT (nominal tube potentials ~20–150 kV), marking and documentation requirements, and guidance on environmental and EMC influences. The 2024 edition updates several compliance tests to align with modern dosimeter designs.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Medical physicists, metrology and calibration laboratories, dosimeter manufacturers, conformity assessment bodies and regulators use the standard for product development, type‑testing, calibration and procurement.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61674:2024 is the current edition (published 9 July 2024) and cancels and replaces IEC 61674:2012 (edition 2.0). A commented version (CMV) combining the official text with expert commentary is also available.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the IEC TC 62/SC 62C portfolio (medical electrical equipment, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and dosimetry). Users will often apply it together with related IEC standards addressing electrical safety, X‑ray reference radiation conditions and imaging QA.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Dosimeter, air kerma, ionization chamber, semiconductor detector, diagnostic dosimetry, X‑ray imaging, mammography, CT, radiography, calibration, performance testing.