D.L.S. supports the testing required to show compliance to the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), a CE marking directive required to participate in commerce in the European Union.

The Low Voltage Directive applies to electrical equipment  designed for use with a voltage rating 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. Medical equipment, machinery, and pressure equipment are examples of equipment that is covered under  directives other than the LVD.

The Low Voltage Directive covers consumer and capital goods designed to operate within those voltage limits, including in particular electrical appliances, lighting equipment including ballasts, switch gear and control gear, electric motors and alternators, electrical wiring, appliance couplers and cord sets, electrical installation equipment, cable management systems, computers and high technology equipment, audio video and laboratory equipment.

Battery operated equipment outside the voltage rating is outside the scope of the LVD. Nevertheless, any accompanying battery-charger as well as equipment with integrated power supply unit within the voltage ranges of the Directive are in the scope of the LVD. This applies also, in the case of battery operated equipment with supply voltage rating under 50 V AC and 75 V DC for their accompanying power supply unit such as notebook computers.

The Low Voltage Directive covers all risks arising from the use of electrical equipment, including not just electrical ones but also mechanical, chemical (such as, in particular, emission of aggressive substances) and all other risks. Manufacturers are encouraged to perform a detailed risk analysis to determine all potential risks and hazards to users, operators, other equipment, and if applicable livestock and pets.

The Low Voltage Directive also covers health aspects of noise and vibrations, and ergonomic aspects as far as ergonomic requirements are necessary to protect against hazards in the sense

of the LVD. It should also be noted again that for certain electrical equipment the provisions of other directives also apply.

The best way to show compliance to the LVD is with the use of harmonized standards. The EU Official Journal publishes a list of the standards that can used for compliance to the LVD.

Common Harmonized Standards    

D.L.S. provides a total package program for CE compliance that includes the EMC Directive, Radio Equipment Directive (RED), RoHS Directive and Machinery Directive as well as the Low Voltage Directive.

For additional details on the requirements for the CE mark and compliance to the low voltage or other EU directive, contact the D.L.S. technical staff today to review your project in detail.