ISO 5580:2023

Non-destructive testing - Industrial radiographic illuminators - Minimum requirements

The function of an industrial radiographic illuminator is to provide sufficient diffuse light for viewing of developed radiographic films (radiographs). This document specifies the minimum requirements for industrial radiographic illuminators used for viewing radiographs.

Essais non-destructifs — Négatoscopes utilisés en radiographie industrielle — Exigences minimales

Un négatoscope utilisé en radiographie industrielle a pour fonction de fournir suffisamment de lumière diffuse pour permettre l’examen de films radiographiques développés (radiogrammes). Le présent document spécifie les exigences minimales applicables aux négatoscopes utilisés en radiographie industrielle pour observer les radiogrammes.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Nov-2023
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 135/SC 5 - Radiographic testing
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 135/SC 5 - Radiographic testing
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 27-Nov-2023
• Due Date: 21-Jun-2024
• Completion Date: 27-Nov-2023

Relations

• Revises: ISO 5580:1985 - Non-destructive testing - Industrial radiographic illuminators - Minimum requirements
• Effective Date: 25-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO 5580:2023 sets the minimum requirements for industrial radiographic illuminators used in non-destructive testing (NDT). These illuminators provide diffuse light essential for viewing developed radiographic films, commonly called radiographs. As a key part of radiographic testing, the illuminator must ensure reliable, consistent lighting that supports accurate interpretation of film images without damaging the films or causing operator discomfort.

This international standard specifies detailed performance, safety, and construction criteria for radiographic illuminators, ensuring compatibility and quality in industrial radiography workflows.

Key Topics

• Mechanical and electrical construction
  Illuminators must have robust housings with a viewing screen illuminated internally. They should provide thermal protection to prevent film damage and comply with local electrical safety standards concerning voltage, insulation, and earthing.

• Viewing screen characteristics
  The screen should be scratch-resistant, heat-stable, easy to clean, and sized appropriately to minimize glare. Adjustable masking allows viewing of different-sized radiographs without distracting light.

• Screen luminance requirements
  Luminance, measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m²), varies with radiograph optical density. Minimum luminance levels are defined to ensure sufficient brightness for film analysis, ranging from 30 cd/m² to over 100 cd/m² for films with higher optical density. Continuous and smooth luminance control is required to avoid errors in densitometric measurements.

• Light color and diffusion
  The standard calls for white light with correlated color temperature (CCT) between 2500 K and 7000 K, adapting to film type as needed. Diffusing screens must provide sufficient light divergence (diffusion factor > 0.7) to evenly illuminate the film, avoiding concentrated glare on the operator’s eyes.

• Uniformity and glare control
  Uniform illumination across the viewing screen is critical (uniformity factor > 0.5). The design must prevent disturbing ambient light and include anti-glare devices to protect operators from excessive brightness when films are removed.

• Thermal management
  The housing temperature must not exceed 60 °C on typical contact surfaces after continuous intermittent operation. Measures must prevent radiograph warping or damage due to heating from illumination.

• Performance testing
  Detailed protocols for measuring luminance, light divergence, uniformity, and power consumption ensure illuminators meet performance standards under controlled conditions.

• Marking and instructions
  Illuminators must carry clear identification plates providing operating voltage, frequency, power consumption, light source type, and maximum luminance. Comprehensive user manuals covering operation, maintenance, and safety are mandatory.

Applications

ISO 5580:2023 applies primarily to industrial radiography, a critical NDT method used across multiple sectors, including:

• Aerospace and aviation - inspecting aircraft components and composites
• Oil and gas - pipeline and pressure vessel integrity verification
• Automotive manufacturing - weld and casting inspections for quality control
• Power generation - examination of turbine blades and nuclear components
• Construction and civil engineering - structural weld examinations

By standardizing illuminator requirements, ISO 5580:2023 contributes to consistent and safe radiograph evaluation, thereby improving defect detection, reliability, and operator ergonomics during film inspections.

Related Standards

ISO 5580:2023 works in conjunction with other international standards for radiographic testing and lighting:

• ISO 5576 - Non-destructive testing vocabulary focusing on radiographic terminology
• ISO/CIE 19476 - Methods for characterizing illuminance and luminance meters, ensuring measurement accuracy
• CIE S 017/E - International Lighting Vocabulary, defining key lighting terms and color metrics
• IEC standards on electrical safety and light sources - providing additional regulatory frameworks for illuminator design and performance

Together, these standards provide a comprehensive framework for safe, effective use of industrial radiographic illuminators, promoting global harmonization in NDT practices.

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Keywords: ISO 5580:2023, industrial radiographic illuminators, non-destructive testing, NDT, radiographic film viewing, luminance requirements, uniform illumination, radiography lighting standards, radiographic film inspection, radiograph illuminator safety

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 5580
Second edition
2023-11
Non-destructive testing — Industrial
radiographic illuminators —
Minimum requirements
Essais non destructifs — Négatoscopes utilisés en radiographie
industrielle — Exigences minimales
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Characteristics of radiographic illuminators . 1
4.1 Mechanical and electrical construction . 1
4.2 Viewing screen . 1
4.3 Luminance . 2
4.4 Colour of light . 3
4.5 Diffusion of light . 3
4.6 Uniformity of illumination . 3
4.7 Disturbing light . 3
4.8 Anti-glare device . 3
4.9 Heating. 3
5 Determination of certain characteristics . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Divergence and dispersion of light of diffusing screens . 3
5.3 Uniformity of screen luminance . 4
5.4 Nominal power consumption . 5
6 Marking . . 5
7 Recommendations for use . 5
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 135, Non-destructive testing, Subcommittee
SC 5, Radiographic testing, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Technical Committee CEN/TC 138, Non-destructive testing, in accordance with the Agreement on
technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 5580:1985), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— normative references added to Clause 2;
— exact specification for luminance measurement equipment required (4.3);
— statements on luminance control of illuminators added (4.3);
— range of permitted light colours has been added (4.4);
— “Lamps” replaced by “Light sources”, so that LEDs can be used too (7);
— “Film density” was replaced by “optical density” throughout the document;
— minor editorial corrections.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 5580:2023(E)
Non-destructive testing — Industrial radiographic
illuminators — Minimum requirements
1 Scope
The function of an industrial radiographic illuminator is to provide sufficient diffuse light for viewing
of developed radiographic films (radiographs).
This document specifies the minimum requirements for industrial radiographic illuminators used for
viewing radiographs.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
nd
CIE S 017/E, International Lighting Vocabulary, 2 Edition
ISO/CIE 19476, Characterization of the performance of illuminance
...