BS EN 50504-2008 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 50504:2008 — "Validation of arc welding equipment". This European/British adoption standard defines methods for validation of arc welding power sources, wire feeders and welding instrumentation used to the accuracy specified in EN 60974‑1 or equivalent standards (standard-grade accuracy).

Abstract

This standard specifies validation procedures (distinct from routine calibration and verification) for arc welding equipment constructed and used to standard-grade accuracy. It applies to arc welding power sources, wire feeders and welding instrumentation, and excludes arc‑striking and stabilising devices; calibration/verification/validation of other welding-process equipment and ancillary items (e.g., flow gauges, thermocouples, robots) is covered by other standards such as EN ISO 17662.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (replaced by later IEC/EN series).
• Publication date: EN publication 2008 (listed as 1 August 2008); British adoption published 31 January 2009.
• Publisher: European standard (CENELEC origin); British adoption published by BSI.
• ICS / categories: 25.160.10 (welding processes) — includes welding equipment categories.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (EN 50504:2008 / adopted as BS EN 50504:2008).
• Number of pages: Approximately 25 pages (varies slightly by national publication/format).

Scope

Specifies validation methods for arc welding equipment built and used to the accuracy defined in EN 60974‑1 or equivalent standards (standard grade). The scope covers arc welding power sources, wire feeders and welding instrumentation; it does not apply to arc‑striking/stabilising devices and refers to other standards for ancillary equipment calibration/verification/validation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and differentiation between calibration, verification and validation for arc welding equipment.
• Validation procedures and test methods for welding power sources (including output characteristics relevant to weld quality).
• Validation methods for wire feeders and welding instrumentation (accuracy checks, measurement uncertainty considerations).
• Requirements for test equipment and reference instruments used during validation (traceability and standard‑grade accuracy).
• Exclusions and references to related standards for other welding-process equipment and ancillary devices (e.g., EN ISO 17662; later consolidated in IEC/EN 60974‑14 series).

Typical use and users

Used by calibration laboratories, welding equipment manufacturers, quality managers in fabrication and welding operations, and conformity assessment bodies when performing validation of arc welding equipment to ensure equipment meets standard‑grade accuracy requirements prior to production use. Industrial training providers and technical auditors also use the standard to define validation scopes.

Related standards

EN 50504:2008 is related to EN 60974‑1 (requirements for arc welding equipment) and EN ISO 17662 (calibration/verification for welding process equipment). It has been superseded/withdrawn and replaced by standards in the EN/IEC 60974‑14 series (EN IEC 60974‑14 — Calibration, validation and consistency checks for arc welding equipment).

Keywords

arc welding, welding equipment, validation, calibration, verification, welding power source, wire feeder, welding instrumentation, standard‑grade accuracy, EN 50504.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: BS EN 50504:2008 is the European standard (with British adoption) titled "Validation of arc welding equipment" that defines validation methods for arc welding power sources, wire feeders and welding instrumentation used to standard‑grade accuracy.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers validation procedures and test methods to demonstrate that arc welding equipment meets the accuracy requirements specified in EN 60974‑1 or equivalent standards. It excludes arc‑striking/stabilising devices and refers to other standards for ancillary equipment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Calibration and test laboratories, welding equipment manufacturers, quality and maintenance teams in fabrication shops, conformity assessors and technical auditors use it when validating welding equipment prior to production or certification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It has been withdrawn and superseded. EN 50504:2008 / BS EN 50504:2008 was withdrawn (national withdrawal dates around November 2021) and replaced by the EN/IEC 60974‑14 series covering calibration, validation and consistency checks. Users should refer to EN/IEC 60974‑14 (the IEC/EN replacement) for current requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Conceptually yes — it sits within the family of standards addressing arc welding equipment (EN/IEC 60974 series) and is linked to standards for calibration and verification of welding‑process equipment (e.g., EN ISO 17662). The replacement work has been consolidated under the EN/IEC 60974‑14 document.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Arc welding, validation, calibration, welding equipment, wire feeder, power source, instrumentation, standard‑grade accuracy.