Future-proof: High-voltage optocouplers according to IEC 60747-5-5 for medical devices

The IEC 60601 series of standards defines safety requirements for medical electrical equipment and medical systems.

At the moment the standardization is working on Amendment 2 (A2) of IEC 60601-1. The final publication as IEC-Norm Edition 3.2 is planned for December 2019, this probably includes that for used Optocouplers the IEC 60747-5-5 will be binding. This is expected to come into force in 2020.

In many devices that are intended for the diagnosis, treatment or monitoring of patients and are in direct physical or electrical contact with the patient, galvanic isolation is required. Usually optocouplers are used for this purpose.

Neumüller Elektronik can already supply the high voltage optocoupler OPI1268S with IEC 60747-5-5 from Optek Technology. The OPI1268S has an extremely high isolation voltage of up to 20KV and a data rate of 2 Mbit/s as well as a creepage distance of 24mm and an excellent interference immunity (dv/dt) of typ. 30 kV/µs. In addition to the standard for medical devices, this optocoupler also meets the requirements for hazardous areas (EN 60079). In addition, there is ATEX certification. In addition to the European standards, this component is also certified according to UL1577.