Low Voltage Directive Explained
The Low Voltage Directive covers all electrical equipment and components designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current. The Low Voltage Directive defines which products fall within its field of application, it provides the essential (safety) requirements that electrical equipment and components covered by it must comply with, and it outlines the conformity assessment procedure the manufacturer must apply in order to ensure compliance with the essential requirements.
WHICH PRODUCTS ARE COVERED BY THE LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE 2014/35/EU?
The Directive applies to all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current. Voltage ratings refer to the voltage of the electrical input or output, not to voltages that may appear inside the equipment.
The term “electrical equipment” is not defined in the Directive. Therefore it is to be interpreted according to the internationally recognised meaning of this term. The definition of electrical equipment in the “International Electrotechnical Vocabulary of IEC” (International Electrotechnical Commission) is:
“item used for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, switchgear and controlgear, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring material, current-using equipment.”
The scope of the Directive includes both electrical equipment intended for incorporation into other equipment and equipment intended to be used directly without being incorporated.
Examples of products within the scope of the LVD Directive:
Socket outlets 230 V for domestic use
Luminaire plugs and socket outlets for domestic use
Appliance couplers –plugs, -outlets
Appliance couplers for industrial purposes
Appliance couplers e.g. vehicle heater i.e. manufacturer fabricated standard
Cables
Components
Cord extension sets Plug + cable + socket outlet with or without passive components
Cord sets and interconnection cord sets Plug + cable + cord set
Installations enclosures and conduits
Multiple travel adaptors
Multiple travel adaptors with supply (e.g. charger for mobile phones or music player)
Plug with one or more socket outlets with incorporated electronic dimmer or twilight dimmer
Product with integrated plug and/or outlets. 230V for domestic use (e.g. charger for mobile phones, night lights)
Switches for households and similar fixed electrical installations
Voltage detector
WHICH PRODUCTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE 2014/35/EU?
Electrical equipment for use in an explosive atmosphere
Electrical equipment for radiology and medical purposes
Electrical parts for goods and passenger lifts
Electricity meters
Plugs and socket outlets for domestic use
Electric fence controllers
Radio-electrical interference
Specialised electrical equipment, for use on ships, aircraft or railways, which complies with the safety provisions drawn up by international bodies in which the Member States participate.
HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE 2014/35/EU:
The Low Voltage Directive places the responsibility to perform conformity assessment on the manufacturer: the manufacturer performs the conformity assessment and documents the assessment in his own right. Typically, the conformity assessment entails visual inspections and tests in accordance with European harmonized standards. Where the manufacturer is not able or willing to do the assessments himself, he may involve thirds party bodies. There are no special requirements for these bodies. However, the manufacturer may want to ensure the body has competence regarding the tests and assessments it conducts.
