Laser Class USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Laser Engraving and Cut Terms [1]

Laser Class Laser class refers to a classification system established by regulatory agencies and standards organizations, such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), to categorize lasers based on their potential hazards to human health and safety.
The laser class designation depends on factors such as the laser's output power, wavelength, pulse duration, and emission characteristics.
The laser class system consists of several classes, including Class 1, Class 2, Class 3R, Class 3B, and Class 4, each representing a different level of risk associated with laser radiation exposure.
Class 1 lasers are considered safe under normal operating conditions, while Class 2 lasers are low-power lasers that pose a low risk of eye injury and are often used in consumer products such as laser pointers. Class 3R and Class 3B lasers are moderate-power lasers that can cause eye injury under certain conditions and require caution and appropriate safety measures during operation.
Class 4 lasers are high-power lasers capable of causing serious injury to the eyes and skin and must be used with extreme care and protective measures.
Laser class labels provide information about the laser's classification, maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits, and recommended safety precautions to prevent laser-related accidents and injuries