Low voltage (LVD) directive

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Directive

Low voltage (LVD) Directive (2014/35/EU)

Scope

The purpose of this Directive is to ensure that electrical equipment on the market fulfils the requirements providing for a high level of protection of health and safety of persons, and of domestic animals and property, while guaranteeing the functioning of the internal market.

This Directive shall apply to electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1 000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1 500 V for direct current, other than the equipment and phenomena listed in Annex II.

ANNEX II

EQUIPMENT AND PHENOMENA OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THIS DIRECTIVE

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. Custom built evaluation kits destined for professionals to be used solely at research and development facilities for such purposes.

Description

The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU) ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits provides a high level of protection for European citizens, and benefits fully from the Single Market. It has been applicable since 20 April 2016.

The LVD covers health and safety risks on electrical equipment operating with an input or output voltage of between:

50 and 1000 V for alternating current
75 and 1500 V for direct current

It applies to a wide range of electrical equipment for both consumer and professional usage, such as:

Household appliances
Cables
Power supply units
Laser equipment
Certain components, e.g. fuses

EU legislation in the electrical sector is important to ensure that health and safety requirements are the same across Europe for products placed on the market.

The General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) covers consumer goods with a voltage below 50 V for alternating current, or below 75 V for direct current. It aims to ensure that only safe consumer products are sold in the EU.

Harmonised standards

EN ISO 11252:2013	Lasers and laser-related equipment - Laser device - Minimum requirements for documentation (ISO 11252:2013)
EN 13637:2015	Building hardware - Electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape routes - Requirements and test methods
HD 308 S2:2001	Identification of cores in cables and flexible cords
HD 361 S3:1999	System for cable designation
HD 361 S3:1999/A1:2006	System for cable designation
HD 361 S3:1999/AC:1999	System for cable designation
HD 368 S1:1978	Direct acting recording electrical measuring instruments and their accessories
HD 549 S1:1989	Conference systems - Electrical and audio requirements
HD 597 S1:1992	Coupling capacitors and capacitor dividers
HD 597 S1:1992/AC:1992	Coupling capacitors and capacitor dividers
Show all the standards...

EN ISO 11252:2013 Lasers and laser-related equipment - Laser device - Minimum requirements for documentation (ISO 1125...
EN 13637:2015 Building hardware - Electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape routes - Requirements and...
HD 308 S2:2001 Identification of cores in cables and flexible cords
HD 361 S3:1999 System for cable designation
HD 361 S3:1999/A1:2006 System for cable designation
HD 361 S3:1999/AC:1999 System for cable designation
HD 368 S1:1978 Direct acting recording electrical measuring instruments and their accessories
HD 549 S1:1989 Conference systems - Electrical and audio requirements
HD 597 S1:1992 Coupling capacitors and capacitor dividers
HD 597 S1:1992/AC:1992 Coupling capacitors and capacitor dividers
Show all the standards...