Electrical Products - European Quality Standard

CE Low Voltage Certification (Electrical Products)

The Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU (LVD) regulates the safety of electrical equipment designed to be used within certain voltage limits, ensuring the free movement of products within the European market. This directive is part of the so-called “New Legislative Framework” and represents the evolution of previous European legislation in this area.

Legislative evolution

The low voltage legislation has undergone several updates over time:

Directive 73/23/EEC — Original Low Voltage Directive
Directive 2006/95/EC — codified version
Directive 2014/35/EU — currently in force

Directive 2014/35/EU repealed Directive 2006/95/EC and came into application on 20 April 2016. In Italy, transposition was implemented through Legislative Decree. 86/2016.

Scope of application

The Directive applies to electrical equipment designed to be used with voltages between:

50 and 1000 V in alternating current (AC)
75 and 1500 V in direct current (DC)

Numerous products are therefore covered, including: industrial electrical equipment, electrical panels, power supply devices, electrical components for machinery.

Exclusions

Directive 2014/35/EU does not apply to:

Equipment for explosive atmospheres (governed by ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU)
Equipment for radiological and medical use
Electrical parts of lifts and hoists
Electricity meters
Plugs and socket-outlets for domestic use (certain specific categories)
Electric fences
Electrical equipment intended for ships, aircraft and railways (regulated by specific legislation)

Essential safety requirements (ESR)

The Directive establishes that electrical equipment must be designed and constructed to ensure:

Protection against electrical hazards (direct and indirect contact)
Safety against overheating, fire and radiation
Adequate insulation and mechanical strength
Safe use under foreseeable conditions

Compliance with the requirements is generally demonstrated through the application of European harmonized standards (EN).

CE marking and manufacturer obligations

To place a product on the European market, the manufacturer must:

Carry out the conformity assessment
Prepare the technical documentation
Draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity
Affix the CE marking

Unlike other directives, the LVD does not require the mandatory involvement of a notified body.

Verification and support activities

Within the scope of the Low Voltage Directive, it is possible to carry out:

Laboratory tests on electrical safety
Verification of compliance with essential requirements
Support in the selection and application of harmonized standards
Assistance with CE marking

These activities enable manufacturers to demonstrate the conformity of their products and access the European market safely and in compliance with the legislation.

Applicable standards

Below is the list of applicable standards in Italian to date, to be verified during the preparation of the Risk Analysis.

EN 13637 Hardware for doors and windows — Electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape routes — Requirements and test methods
HD 308 S2 Identification of cores in cables
HD 361 S3 Power and signalling cables — Designation system
HD 368 S1 Direct acting indicating electrical measuring instruments and their accessories IEC 60258 + A1
HD 549 S1 Conference systems — Electrical and audio requirements IEC 60914
HD 603 S1 Distribution cables with a rated voltage of 0.6/1 kV
HD 604 S1 Power cables 0.6/1 kV with special fire performance characteristics, for use in power generating plants
HD 605 S2 Electric cables — Additional test methods
HD 626 S1 Overhead distribution cables with a rated voltage Uo/U (Um): 0.6/1 (1.2) kV
HD 627 S1 Multi-core cables with pairs, triples and quads for aerial and underground installation
HD 639 S1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Portable residual current devices without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar use (PRCDs) IEC 61540 (Modified) + A1 (Modified)
EN 41003 Particular safety requirements for equipment to be connected to telecommunication networks and/or cable distribution systems
EN 50065-4-2 Signalling on low-voltage electrical installations in the frequency range 3 kHz to 148.5 kHz — Part 4-2: Low voltage decoupling filters — Safety requirements
EN 50065-4-7 Signalling on low-voltage electrical installations in the frequency range 3 kHz to 148.5 kHz — Part 4-7: Portable low voltage decoupling filters — Safety requirements
EN 50085-1 Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for electrical installations — Part 1: General requirements
EN 50085-2-1 Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for electrical installations — Part 2-1: Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems intended for mounting on walls and ceilings
EN 50085-2-2 Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for electrical installations — Part 2-2: Particular requirements for cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems intended for underfloor, flush floor and floor mounting
EN 50085-2-3 Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for electrical installations — Part 2-3: Particular requirements for slotted cable trunking systems intended for installation in cabinets
EN 50085-2-4 Cable trunking systems and cable ducting systems for electrical installations — Part 2-4: Particular requirements for service poles and service posts
EN 50106 Safety of household and similar electrical appliances — Particular rules for the routine testing of appliances falling within the scope of EN 60335-1
EN 50117-1 Coaxial cables — Part 1: Generic specification
EN 50156-1 Electrical equipment for furnaces and ancillary equipment — Part 1: Requirements for design and installation
EN 50156-2 Electrical equipment for furnaces and ancillary equipment — Part 2: Requirements for design, development and type testing of safety devices and subsystems
EN 50178 Electronic equipment for use in power installations
EN 50214 Flat flexible cables with PVC sheath
EN 50250 System adaptors for industrial use
EN 50274 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Protection against electric shock — Protection against unintentional direct contact with hazardous live parts
EN 50364 Limitation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from devices operating in the frequency range 0 Hz to 300 GHz
EN 50369 Liquid-tight flexible conduit systems for electrical installations
EN 50395 Electrical test methods for low voltage energy cables
EN 50396 Non-electrical test methods for low voltage energy cables
EN 50428 Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Collateral Standard — Switches for HBES systems
EN 50445 Product family standard to demonstrate compliance of equipment for resistance welding, arc welding and allied processes with the basic restrictions related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields
EN 50491-3 General requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) — Part 3: Electrical safety requirements
EN 50491-4-1 General requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) — Part 4-1: General functional safety requirements
EN 50491-6-1 General requirements for HBES and BACS systems — Part 6-1: HBES installations — Installation and Planning
EN 50497 Recommended test method for the assessment of the risk of plasticizer exudation from PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables
EN 50520 Cover plates and slabs for the protection and indication of buried cables or pipes
EN 50525-1 Electric cables — Low voltage energy cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V — Part 1: General requirements
EN 50539-11 Low-voltage surge protective devices — Part 11: Requirements and tests for SPDs for applications in photovoltaic installations
EN 50550 Power frequency overvoltage protective device for household and similar applications (POP)
EN 50556 Traffic signal systems for road traffic
EN 50557 Requirements for automatic reclosing devices for circuit-breakers and residual current devices
EN 50565-1 Electric cables — Guide to use for cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 450/750 V — Part 1: General guidance
EN 50565-2 Electric cables — Guide to use for cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 450/750 V — Part 2: Specific guidance relating to cable types
EN 50615 Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Particular requirements for fire prevention and extinguishing devices for electric hobs
EN 50618 Electric cables for photovoltaic systems
EN 60034-1 Rotating electrical machines — Part 1: Rating and performance
EN 60034-5 Rotating electrical machines — Part 5: Degrees of protection provided by the integral design of rotating electrical machines (IP code)
EN 60034-6 Rotating electrical machines — Part 6: Methods of cooling (IC code)
EN 60034-8 Rotating electrical machines — Part 8: Terminal markings and direction of rotation
EN 60034-9 Rotating electrical machines — Part 9: Noise limits
EN 60034-11 Rotating electrical machines — Part 11: Thermal protection
EN 60034-12 Rotating electrical machines — Part 12: Starting performance of single-speed three-phase cage induction motors
EN 60034-14 Rotating electrical machines — Part 14: Mechanical vibration
EN 60204-1 Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60204-32 Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 32: Requirements for hoisting machines
EN 60215 Radio transmitters — Safety requirements
EN 60228 Conductors of insulated cables
EN 60238 Edison screw lampholders
EN 60252-1 AC motor capacitors — Part 1: General — Performance, testing and rating — Safety requirements
EN 60252-2 AC motor capacitors — Part 2: Motor start capacitors
EN 60255-27 Measuring relays and protection equipment — Part 27: Safety requirements
EN 60269-1 Low-voltage fuses — Part 1: General requirements
HD 60269-2 Low-voltage fuses — Part 2: Supplementary requirements for fuses for use by authorized persons (industrial fuses)
HD 60269-3 Low-voltage fuses — Part 3: Supplementary requirements for fuses for use by unskilled persons (household and similar applications)
EN 60269-4 Low-voltage fuses — Part 4: Supplementary requirements for fuse-links for the protection of semiconductor devices
EN 60269-6 Low-voltage fuses — Part 6: Supplementary requirements for fuse-links for the protection of solar photovoltaic energy systems
EN 60309-1 Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60309-2 Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes — Part 2: Dimensional interchangeability requirements
EN 60309-4 Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes — Part 4: Switched socket-outlets and connectors with or without interlock
EN 60320-1 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60335-1 Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60335-2-2 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for vacuum cleaners and water-suction cleaning appliances
EN 60335-2-3 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for electric irons
EN 60335-2-4 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for spin extractors
EN 60335-2-5 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for dishwashers
EN 60335-2-6 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for stationary cooking ranges, hobs, ovens and similar appliances
EN 60335-2-7 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for washing machines
EN 60335-2-8 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for shavers, hair clippers and similar appliances
EN 60335-2-9 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances
EN 60335-2-10 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for floor treatment machines
EN 60335-2-11 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
EN 60335-2-12 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for warming plates and similar appliances
EN 60335-2-13 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for deep fat fryers, frying pans and similar appliances
EN 60335-2-15 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for appliances for heating liquids
EN 60335-2-16 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for food waste disposers
EN 60335-2-17 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for blankets, pads and similar flexible heating appliances
EN 60335-2-21 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for storage water heaters
EN 60335-2-23 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for appliances for skin or hair care
EN 60335-2-25 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for microwave ovens, including combination microwave ovens
EN 60335-2-27 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for appliances for skin exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation
EN 60335-2-29 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for battery chargers
EN 60335-2-30 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for room heaters
EN 60335-2-31 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for range hoods
EN 60335-2-34 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for motor-compressors
EN 60335-2-35 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for instantaneous water heaters
EN 60335-2-40 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners and dehumidifiers
EN 60335-2-41 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for pumps
EN 60335-2-44 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for ironers
EN 60335-2-45 Safety — Part 2-45: Particular requirements for portable heating tools and similar appliances
EN 60335-2-51 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for stationary circulation pumps for heating and service water installations
EN 60335-2-53 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for sauna heating appliances
EN 60335-2-55 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for electrical appliances for use with aquariums and garden ponds
EN 60335-2-60 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas
EN 60335-2-65 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for air-cleaning appliances
EN 60335-2-70 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for milking machines
EN 60335-2-71 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for electrical heating appliances for breeding and rearing animals
EN 60335-2-75 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for commercial dispensing appliances and vending machines
EN 60335-2-80 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for fans
EN 60335-2-82 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for service machines and amusement machines
EN 60335-2-86 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for electric fishing machines
EN 60335-2-88 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for humidifiers intended for use with heating, ventilation or air-conditioning systems
EN 60335-2-97 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for drives for shutters, awnings, blinds and similar equipment
EN 60335-2-99 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for commercial electric hoods
EN 60335-2-102 Safety — Part 2: Particular requirements for appliances with gas, oil or solid fuel burning systems with electrical connections
EN 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
EN 60570 Electrical supply track systems for luminaires
EN 60598-1 Luminaires — Part 1: General requirements and tests
EN 60598-2-1 Luminaires — Part 2: Particular requirements — Fixed general purpose luminaires
EN 60598-2-2 Luminaires — Part 2: Particular requirements — Recessed luminaires
EN 60598-2-3 Luminaires — Part 2: Particular requirements — Luminaires for road and street lighting
EN 60598-2-4 Luminaires — Part 2: Particular requirements — Portable general purpose luminaires
EN 60598-2-5 Luminaires — Part 2-5: Particular requirements — Floodlights
EN 60598-2-7 Luminaires — Part 2: Particular requirements — Portable luminaires for garden use
EN 60598-2-8 Luminaires — Part 2-8: Particular requirements — Handlamps
EN 60598-2-22 Luminaires — Part 2-22: Particular requirements — Luminaires for emergency lighting
EN 60669-1 Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60669-2-1 Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 2-1: Particular requirements — Electronic switches
EN 60669-2-2 Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 2: Remote-control switches (RCS)
EN 60669-2-3 Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 2: Time-delay switches
EN 60670-1 Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60670-22 Boxes and enclosures — Part 22: Particular requirements for junction boxes and enclosures
EN 60715 Dimensions of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Standardized mounting on rails
EN 60728-11 Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services — Part 11: Safety
EN 60730-1 Automatic electrical controls for household and similar use — Part 1: General requirements
EN 60730-2-5 Automatic electrical controls — Part 2: Particular requirements for automatic electrical burner control systems
EN 60730-2-9 Automatic electrical controls — Part 2: Particular requirements for temperature sensing controls
EN 60825-1 Safety of laser products — Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements
EN 60825-2 Safety of laser products — Part 2: Safety of optical fibre communication systems
EN 60898-1 Electrical accessories — Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations — Part 1: Circuit-breakers for a.c. operation
EN 60898-2 Electrical accessories — Circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection — Part 2: Circuit-breakers for a.c. and d.c. operation
EN 60934 Circuit-breakers for equipment
EN 60947-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 1: General rules
EN 60947-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 2: Circuit-breakers
EN 60947-3 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units
EN 60947-4-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 4: Contactors and motor-starters — Section 1: Electromechanical contactors and motor-starters
EN 60947-4-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 4-2: Contactors and motor-starters — AC semiconductor motor controllers and starters
EN 60947-5-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 5-1: Control circuit devices and switching elements — Electromechanical control circuit devices
EN 60947-5-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 5-2: Control circuit devices — Proximity switches
EN 60947-5-5 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 5-5: Electrical emergency stop device with mechanical latching function
EN 60947-6-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 6-1: Multiple function equipment
EN 60947-6-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 6-2: Automatic transfer switching equipment (ATS)
EN 60947-7-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 7-1: Ancillary equipment — Terminal blocks for copper conductors
EN 60947-7-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 7-2: Ancillary equipment — Protective conductor terminal blocks for copper conductors
EN 60947-8 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 8: Control units for built-in thermal protection (CTP)
EN 61008-1 Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses — Part 1: General rules
EN 61009-1 Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses — Part 1: General rules
EN 61010-1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61034-1 Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions — Part 1: Test apparatus
EN 61034-2 Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions — Part 2: Test procedure and requirements
EN 61058-1 Switches for appliances — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61095 Electromechanical contactors for household and similar purposes
EN 61131-2 Programmable controllers — Part 2: Equipment requirements and tests
EN 61140 Protection against electric shock — Common aspects for installation and equipment
EN 61293 Marking of electrical equipment with ratings related to electrical supply — Safety requirements
EN 61310-1 Safety of machinery — Indication, marking and actuation — Part 1: Requirements for visual, acoustic and tactile signals
EN 61310-2 Safety of machinery — Indication, marking and actuation — Part 2: Requirements for marking
EN 61310-3 Safety of machinery — Indication, marking and actuation — Part 3: Requirements for the location and operation of actuators
EN 61316 Industrial cable reels
EN 61347-1 Lamp controlgear — Part 1: General and safety requirements
EN 61347-2-13 Lamp controlgear — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for electronic controlgear for LED modules
EN 61386-1 Conduit systems for cable management — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61386-21 Conduit systems for cable management — Part 21: Particular requirements for rigid conduit systems
EN 61386-22 Conduit systems for cable management — Part 22: Particular requirements for pliable conduit systems
EN 61386-23 Conduit systems for cable management — Part 23: Particular requirements for flexible conduit systems
EN 61386-24 Conduit systems for cable management — Part 24: Particular requirements — Conduit systems buried underground
EN 61439-1 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 1: General rules
EN 61439-2 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 2: Power switchgear and controlgear assemblies
EN 61439-3 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 3: Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO)
EN 61439-4 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 4: Assemblies for construction sites (ACS)
EN 61439-5 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 5: Assemblies for power distribution in public networks
EN 61439-6 Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 6: Busbar trunking systems
EN 61537 Cable management — Cable tray systems and cable ladder systems
EN 61557-1 Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1000 V a.c. and 1500 V d.c. — Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61558-1 Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and combinations thereof — Part 1: General requirements and tests
EN 61643-11 Low-voltage surge protective devices — Part 11: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power systems — Requirements and test methods
EN 61643-21 Low-voltage surge protective devices — Part 21: Surge protective devices connected to telecommunications and signalling networks — Performance requirements and testing methods
EN 61730-1 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification — Part 1: Requirements for construction
EN 61730-2 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification — Part 2: Requirements for testing
EN 61800-5-1 Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems — Part 5-1: Safety requirements — Electrical, thermal and energy
EN 61812-1 Time relays for industrial and residential use — Part 1: Requirements and tests
EN 61851-1 Electric vehicle conductive charging system — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61869-1 Instrument transformers — Part 1: General requirements
EN 61869-2 Instrument transformers — Part 2: Additional requirements for current transformers
EN 61869-3 Instrument transformers — Part 3: Additional requirements for inductive voltage transformers
EN 61914 Cable cleats for electrical installations
EN 61921 Power capacitors — Low-voltage power factor correction banks
EN 62031 LED modules for general lighting — Safety specifications
EN 62040-1 Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) — Part 1: General and safety requirements
EN 62109-1 Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems — Part 1: General requirements
EN 62109-2 Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems — Part 2: Particular requirements for inverters
EN 62196-1 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets — Conductive charging of electric vehicles — Part 1: General requirements
EN 62208 Empty enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — General requirements
EN 62233 Measurement methods for electromagnetic fields of household appliances and similar apparatus with regard to human exposure
EN 62275 Cable management systems — Cable ties for electrical installations
EN 62311 Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields
EN 62368-1 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment — Part 1: Safety requirements
EN 62395-1 Electrical resistance trace heating systems for industrial and commercial applications — Part 1: General and testing requirements
EN 62423 Type F and type B residual current operated circuit-breakers with and without integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses
EN 62444 Cable glands for electrical installations
EN 62471 Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems
EN 62477-1 Safety requirements for power electronic converter systems and equipment — Part 1: General
EN 62493 Assessment of lighting equipment related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields
EN 62560 Self-ballasted LED-lamps for general lighting services by voltage > 50 V — Safety specifications
EN 62606 General requirements for arc fault detection devices
EN 62776 Double-capped LED lamps designed to retrofit linear fluorescent lamps — Safety specifications
EN 62868 Organic light emitting diode (OLED) panels for general lighting — Safety requirements