Definition & Purpose of LVD

LVD (2014/35/EU) is a “New Approach” Directive, which came into list  on 20 April 2016. The new LVD replaced the old LVD (2006/95/EC), a  directive, mix of the “original” LVD (73/23/EEC) and all of its subsequent amendments. The principal elements of the former Directive (2006/95/EC), including its scope and safety objectives, have remained valid for the new Directive (2014/35/EU). But, part of the Directive’s content is new and created as a result of the New Legislative Framework. It relates mainly to definitions and obligations of economic operators, the creation of a new Committee, and reinforced operations of market surveillance authorities.

Scope of LVD

The LVD (2014/35/EU) has the same definition as the previous Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC). It provides the harmonised standards and procedures that all products placed on the EU market.The products can be either electrical equipment manufactured within the EU zone or electrical equipment imported from abroad of the Union.
Within the scope of the Directive are included specific obligations for the manufacturer, importer or distributor or  the person who places the electrical equipment on the EU market and Turkey..

The LVD’s has the following scope, including electrical equipment used within certain voltage limits:

• all electrical equipment requiring a rated voltage range of 50 to 1000 volts with alternating current;
• all electrical equipment, operating within a rated voltage range of 75 to 1 500 volts with a direct current.

Electrical products not  in  the scope of the LVD and covered by other related CE directives are, as follows:

• all electrical equipment used in a potentially explosive environment;
• electrical products which usage is related to the medical and radiological field;
• electrical fragments for lifts;
• electric fence controllers;
• electricity meters;
• plug and socket-outlets for domestic usage;
• specialised electrical equipment for railways, ships or aircrafs.

Electrical equipment is presumed to conform to the safety objectives of the LVD when the same has been manufactured following the technical standards laid down in the Directive, which are as follows:

• Harmonised standards drawn up by notified bodies of the Member States.
• In cases when harmonised standards don’t exist, two international bodies have the responsibility to issue international standards. These international bodies are the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and the International Commission on the rules for the approval of electrical equipment (CEE).
• When harmonised or international standards haven’t yet been published, manufacturers shall comply with the national standards of the Member State.

CE Certification and test of electrical equipment 

The application of harmonised, international or national standards is not mandatory, but it’s one of the best ways to provide a CE Certificate for electrical equipment from third party testing and certification body.

As an alternative to the technical standards, the products may be built in a way that they meet the LVD’s essential requirements but without the need to be applied harmonised, national or international standards. In such cases, the manufacturers are obligated to include additional documentation in the technical file that presents a description of the solutions used to satisfy the LVD’s safety objectives.

To ensure and CE Certificate  of electrical device with the  requirements of the Low Voltage Directive, manufacturers must fulfill all the conformity assessment procedure described in the Directive and standarts which consists of the following elements:

• Technical fine – includes all technical documentation and its provision determines whether a product complies with the requirements of the LVD. If no  LVD’s harmonised C type  standards have been applied, manufacturers also need to provide a description of all solutions and  B Type standarts to satisfy the safety objectives of the Low Voltage Directive. Test reports can be  created by a notified body that confirms the CE compliance of the product.
• Declaration of Conformity – creating and signing a Declaration of Conformity before placing the electrical equipment on the market by manufaturer.
• Voluntary CE Certification given by notified body.
• CE mark – affixing the “CE” label on the product.

TESTPLUS gives LVD CE Certification service with its experienced engineering team.