ITC ASIA

Electrical equipment is any equipment applying electrical power. To such equipment, the most often applicable directives are the LVD directive (electrical safety) and EMC directive (electromagnetic compatibility), but also another directives could relate to equipment in specific cases.

As regard to LVD directive, it relates to all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating between 50 V and 1000 V of the alternating current (AC) or between 75 V and 1500 V of the direct current (DC) . Therefore the battery operated electrical instruments are not covered by this directive in majority of cases. In addition, the following equipments are excluded from the force of LVD (as they are covered by other more specific directives taking also into account the electrical safety):

For use in the explosive atmosphere

For medical use

For lifts

Electricity meters

Plugs and socket outlets for domestic use

Electric fences

Specialized equipment used in ships, aircrafts and railways (as they are subject of specific legislation)

Rradio-electrical interference

Any other devices are subject of CE marking - Examples are the radio and TV sets powered from electricity distribution network, electromotors and any instruments driven by electromotors, transformers, electrical fuses, capacitors, resistors and another electrical parts, switches, dimmers, power supplies, battery chargers, household home appliances (like vacuum cleaners, washing machines, steam irons, dryers, hair dryers, electric cookers), lights, electrical hobby tools, industrial equipment powered by electricity and their driving and controlling units, computers, printers, measuring instruments, etc. For the LVD is typical, that obligation of conformity assessment relates both to parts (as semiconductor parts or capacitors) and to complete assembled product (as a TV set). It is necessary to prevent confusion by CE marking of parts and products.

Electrical equipment must fulfil the essential requirements (to be reach satisfactory safety level).

a) The essential characteristics which ensure that electrical equipment will be used safely intended applications, shall be marked on the equipment, or, if this is not possible, on an accompanying notice.

b) The manufacturers or brand name or trade mark should be clearly printed on the electrical equipment or,where that is not possible, on the packaging.

c) The electrical equipment, together with its component parts should be made in such a way as to ensure that it can be safely and properly assembled and connected.

  a) that persons and domestic animals are adequately protected against danger of physical      injury or other harm which might be caused by electrical contact direct or indirect;
  b) that dangerous temperatures, arcs or radiation are not produced;
  c) that persons, domestic animals and property are adequately protected against
      non-electrical dangers caused by the electrical equipment (e.g. food contact)
  d) that the insulation must be suitable for foreseeable conditions.

Protection against hazards which might be caused by external influences on the electrical equipment

  a) that the expected mechanical influences cannot result in state, endangering persons,      domestic animals and property
  b) that the electrical equipment shall be resistant to non-mechanical influences in      expected environmental conditions, by similar way;
  c) that the electrical equipment shall not endanger persons, domestic animals and      property in foreseeable conditions of overload.

Meeting of harmonized standard is presumption of compliance with essential requirements.

Many harmonized standards have been written for individual products. The list of them is available for example on the Internet address

2.2. PROCESS LEADING TO CE MARKING OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES - LVD CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Only one module is available for LVD (module A ? Internal Production Control, called sometimes as “self-certification”). Manufacturer applies the essential requirement specified in the harmonized standards at the design of products and at the testing confirming the successful implementation of requirements. The testing could manufacturer perform itself (if he has a suitable testing room and measuring devices) or he can choose appropriate testing laboratory. The accreditation of the laboratory gives an evidence of professional and technical competence. In any case the test report containing description of testing condition and test results shall be written.

a) The manufacturer (or his authorized representative) must establish the technical documentation and he or his authorized representative must keep it on Community territory at least 10 years after the last product has been manufactured. The technical documentation includes particularly:

General description of product

Drawings and schemes of product and its components, sub-assemblies etc.

List of harmonized standards applied

Test reports, eventually certificates

  b) Manufacturer shall issue EC declaration of conformity and keep it together with      technical documentation
  c) Manufacturer shall apply in production technology any measures to assure conformity      of all products to essential requirements
  d) Manufacturer gives CE mark on each product (if this is impossible, the manufacturer      prints CE on the leaflet, instruction for use etc.)

During the conformity assessment of LVD products, the Notified Body does not play any role, as the module A is applied.

The Low Voltage Directive sets essential requirements for the product safety of electro-technical products. This directive requires electronic products to be tested to the Harmonized Product Safety Standard for your product type. The Low Voltage Directive does not consist only of technical requirements. This directive requires the producer to keep a file of all relevant data (Technical Document File), to officially state the conformity of the product (Declaration of Conformity), to inform the users about safe use/installation/maintenance, and to mark the product with a CE Marking. Typically products are evaluated using one of the following standards:

EN 60950-1: Safety of Information Technology Equipment

EN 61010-1: Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use

4. SERVICES PROVIDED BY ITC IN CONNECTION WITH CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT

Testing of electrical products

Assessment of electrical products

Granting of license to the voluntary certification. ITC is granting the license for the use of quality brand, which is being granted to the products at which the high level of safety and quality parameters has been proved and, through the inspection visits, also meeting the prerequisites of the producer for continuous maintaining of the quality