The Low Voltage Directive (LVD), 2014/35/EU, specifies common standards in the
European Single Market for "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". The Directive provides common broad objectives for safety regulations, so that electrical equipment approved by any EU member country will be acceptable for use in all other EU countries. The Low Voltage Directive does not supply any specific technical standards that must be met, instead relying on
IEC technical standards to guide designers to produce safe products. Products that conform to the general principles of the Low Voltage Directive and the relevant particular safety standards are marked with the
CE marking to indicate compliance and acceptance throughout the EU. Conformance is asserted by the manufacturer, based on its
conformity assessment.
This
directive updated and replaced 2006/95/EC.
Application
The directive covers
electrical equipment
Electrical devices or electric devices are devices that functionally rely on electric energy ( AC or DC) to operate their core parts (electric motors, transformers, lighting, rechargeable batteries, control electronics). They can be contraste ...
designed for use with a
voltage
Voltage, also known as (electrical) potential difference, electric pressure, or electric tension, is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a Electrostatics, static electric field, it corresponds to the Work (electrical), ...
rating of between 50 and 1000
volt
The volt (symbol: V) is the unit of electric potential, Voltage#Galvani potential vs. electrochemical potential, electric potential difference (voltage), and electromotive force in the International System of Units, International System of Uni ...
s for
alternating current
Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time, in contrast to direct current (DC), which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in w ...
(AC) or between 75 and 1500 volts for
direct current
Direct current (DC) is one-directional electric current, flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor (material), conductor such as a wire, but can also flow throug ...
(DC). Importantly, it does not cover voltages within equipment.
The directive does not cover components (broadly, this refers to individual
electronic component
An electronic component is any basic discrete electronic device or physical entity part of an electronic system used to affect electrons or their associated fields. Electronic components are mostly industrial products, available in a singula ...
s).
Certain classes of equipment, covered by other technical standards, are listed in Annex II of the Directive as excluded from its scope. These items include medical devices, electricity meters, railway or maritime equipment, and
electrical plugs and sockets for domestic use.
UK implementation
In the United Kingdom, the directive is implemented by "The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016".
gov.UK
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See also
* Low voltage
* High voltage
High voltage electricity refers to electrical potential large enough to cause injury or damage. In certain industries, ''high voltage'' refers to voltage above a certain threshold. Equipment and conductors that carry high voltage warrant sp ...
References
{{Reflist, 30em
External links
5 Ways to fail Low Voltage Directive LVD testing
– ''Electronics Weekly''
Electrical safety
European Union directives
European Union technology policy