Laser Classification

Standard Classification for Lasers

Differences in Standards

1.US Standard until recently used the ‘old'Classification method (Roman numbers).

2.Differences in methods of measurement

3.Most laser Pointers are currently manufactured in China or Taiwan, who use the US Standards.

4.Most US Class II or IIIa laser devices are classified as Class 3B in Australia.

Class II lasers:

Power up to 1 milliwatt. These lasers are not considered an optically dangerous device as the eye reflex will prevent any ocular damage. (I.E. when the eye is hit with a bright light, the eye lid will automatically blink or the person will turn their head so as to remove the bright light. This is called the reflex action or time. Class II lasers won't cause eye damage in this time period. Still, one wouldn't want to look at it for an extended period of time.) Caution labels (yellow) should be placed on the laser equipment. No known skin exposure hazard exists and no fire hazard exists.  

Class IIIA lasers:

Power output between 1 milliwatt and 5 milliwatt. These lasers can produce spot blindness under the right conditions and other possible eye injuries. Products that have a Class IIIa laser should have a laser emission indicator to tell when the laser is in operation. They should also have a Danger label and output aperature label attatched to the laser and/or equipment. A key operated power switch SHOULD be used to prevent unauthorized use. No known skin hazard of fire hazard exist.                                                                           

Class IIIB lasers:

Laser systems emit a power level of between >5 and <500 milliwatts (.5 watt). This power level can produce some real neat optical effects and is often used for star pointing. The ray of the laser is usually quite visible dependent on power level and color. Output powers over 50 milliwatts can burn objects and human flesh.

Class IV lasers:

Laser systems emit a power level of between >500 milliwatts (.5 watt) and upwards. These power levels can burn, cut and fabricate most materials including metals. These higher powered laser systems are the candidates for directed energy beam weapons. Class4 lasers require a key switch functioning as remote control access port, time delay and an aperture shutter. Our series 500-700MW Green laser pointer is a good example.

 These can and will cause eye damage. The Class IV range can and will cause materials to burn on contact as well as skin and clothing to burn. These laser systems MUST have: A key lockout switch to prevent unauthorized use Inter-locks to prevent the system from being used with the protective covers off Emission indicators to show that the laser is in use Mechanical shutters to block the beam Red DANGER labels and aperature labels affixed to the laser. The reflected beam should be considered as dangerous as the primary beam.

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