IEC 62127-3:2022 PDF

Ultrasonics - Hydrophones - Part 3: Properties of hydrophones for ultrasonic fields

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Title (English):

IEC 62127-3:2022

Ultrasonics - Hydrophones - Part 3: Properties of hydrophones for ultrasonic fields

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 96
Publication date:: February 24, 2026
Edition:: IEC IS 62127 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 17.140.50

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Description (English):

IEC 62127-3:2022 specifies relevant hydrophone characteristics. This document is applicable to: - hydrophones employing piezoelectric sensor elements, designed to measure the pulsed and continuous wave ultrasonic fields generated by ultrasonic equipment; - hydrophones used for measurements made in water; - hydrophones with or without an associated pre-amplifier. IEC 62127-3:2022 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007 and Amendment 1:2013. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition. a) The upper frequency limit of 40 MHz has been removed. b) Hydrophone sensitivity definitions have been changed to recognize sensitivities as complex-valued quantities. c) Procedures to determine the effective hydrophone size have been changed according to the rationale outlined in Annex B. d) Requirements on the frequencies for which the effective hydrophone size shall be provided have been changed to achieve practicality for increased frequency bands. e) The new Annex B and Annex C have been added. f) Annex A has been updated to reflect the changes of the normative parts.

Technical details

Technical committee: TC 87 - Ultrasonics
SKU: IEC 62127-3:2022

Abstract

Overview

IEC 62127-3:2022 - Ultrasonics - Hydrophones - Part 3: Properties of hydrophones for ultrasonic fields defines the properties and specification practices for miniature piezoelectric hydrophones used to measure pulsed and continuous ultrasonic fields in water. The second edition (2022) is a technical revision of the 2007/2013 edition and updates definitions, measurement procedures and informative annexes to reflect modern calibration and field‑mapping needs for medical and industrial ultrasound.

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and applicability: applies to piezoelectric hydrophones (with or without pre‑amplifiers) used for measurements in water, primarily for medical diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound and many non‑medical ultrasonic field characterizations.
Sensitivity: updated to treat hydrophone sensitivity as a complex‑valued quantity (amplitude and phase), enabling phase‑sensitive measurements when calibrations include phase response.
Frequency response: requirements for stating frequency bands and characterizing frequency dependence; the 2022 edition removed the previous explicit upper frequency limit to accommodate broader frequency bands.
Directional response and effective size: procedures for measuring and modelling hydrophone directivity and determining the effective hydrophone size have been revised (see Annex B rationale and Annex C membrane model).
Dynamic range and linearity: guidance for lower/upper dynamic limits and electromagnetic interference considerations to ensure accurate field mapping.
Electrical output characteristics: requirements for hydrophones with and without pre‑amplifiers, output lead configuration and related measurement conditions.
Environmental and mechanical aspects: temperature range, water tightness, materials compatibility and exposed material notes.
Documentation: manufacturers should provide a guidance manual and a standardized list of hydrophone characteristics (examples in informative Annex A).

Practical applications and users

This standard is used by:

Medical physicists and ultrasound metrologists for calibration and quantitative mapping of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound fields (e.g., HIFU, lithotripsy, imaging probes).
Calibration laboratories performing amplitude and phase calibrations of hydrophones.
Ultrasound equipment manufacturers and R&D teams validating transducer output and beam patterns.
Quality control and test engineers in non‑medical industries (cleaning baths, ultrasonic spectrometers, flowmeters) who require reliable field characterization.

Benefits include improved measurement traceability, clearer specification of hydrophone behaviour (including phase), and harmonized data for field comparisons and device certification.

Related standards

Other parts of the IEC 62127 series (hydrophone calibration and usage).
Mentioned overlap with underwater hydrophone standards such as IEC 60500 / IEC 60565‑1 / IEC 60565‑2, though those cover different application contexts (natural waters, different incidence angles).

Keywords: IEC 62127-3:2022, hydrophone properties, ultrasonic fields, piezoelectric hydrophones, hydrophone sensitivity, frequency response, effective hydrophone size, hydrophone calibration, medical ultrasound, directional response.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Scope and applicability: applies to piezoelectric hydrophones (with or without pre‑amplifiers) used for measurements in water, primarily for medical diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound and many non‑medical ultrasonic field characterizations.
Sensitivity: updated to treat hydrophone sensitivity as a complex‑valued quantity (amplitude and phase), enabling phase‑sensitive measurements when calibrations include phase response.
Frequency response: requirements for stating frequency bands and characterizing frequency dependence; the 2022 edition removed the previous explicit upper frequency limit to accommodate broader frequency bands.
Directional response and effective size: procedures for measuring and modelling hydrophone directivity and determining the effective hydrophone size have been revised (see Annex B rationale and Annex C membrane model).
Dynamic range and linearity: guidance for lower/upper dynamic limits and electromagnetic interference considerations to ensure accurate field mapping.
Electrical output characteristics: requirements for hydrophones with and without pre‑amplifiers, output lead configuration and related measurement conditions.
Environmental and mechanical aspects: temperature range, water tightness, materials compatibility and exposed material notes.
Documentation: manufacturers should provide a guidance manual and a standardized list of hydrophone characteristics (examples in informative Annex A).

Practical applications and users

This standard is used by:

Medical physicists and ultrasound metrologists for calibration and quantitative mapping of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound fields (e.g., HIFU, lithotripsy, imaging probes).
Calibration laboratories performing amplitude and phase calibrations of hydrophones.
Ultrasound equipment manufacturers and R&D teams validating transducer output and beam patterns.
Quality control and test engineers in non‑medical industries (cleaning baths, ultrasonic spectrometers, flowmeters) who require reliable field characterization.

Benefits include improved measurement traceability, clearer specification of hydrophone behaviour (including phase), and harmonized data for field comparisons and device certification.

Related standards

Other parts of the IEC 62127 series (hydrophone calibration and usage).
Mentioned overlap with underwater hydrophone standards such as IEC 60500 / IEC 60565‑1 / IEC 60565‑2, though those cover different application contexts (natural waters, different incidence angles).

IEC 62127-3:2022 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Practical applications and users

Related standards

Related standards

Amendment 2 - Ultrasonics - Hydrophones - Part 2: Calibration for ultrasonic fields up to 40 MHz

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