ISO 16526-3:2011 specifies the test method for a non-invasive measurement of X-ray tube voltages using the energy spectrum of X-rays (spectrometric method). It covers the voltage range from 10 kV to 500 kV.

The intention is to check the correspondence of the actual voltage with the indicated value on the control panel of the X-ray unit. It is intended to measure the maximum energy only and not the complete X-ray spectrum.

The procedure is applicable for tank type and constant potential X-ray units.