LVD Low Voltage Directive

　　On March 29, 2014, the official journal of the European Union published the new version of the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, which replaces the original Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. The new directive 2014/35/EU will come into effect on April 20, 2016. The goal of the LVD is to ensure the safety of low-voltage equipment during use. Low-voltage equipment is defined as electrical equipment with a rated voltage ranging from 50 to 1000 volts for alternating current and 75 to 1500 volts for direct current. Broadly speaking, low-voltage equipment includes consumer products and devices designed to operate within this voltage range. This includes household appliances, hand tools, lighting equipment, wires, cables and pipelines, as well as wiring equipment, etc. This directive includes all safety rules for these devices, including protection against hazards caused by mechanical reasons.

　　Low Voltage LVD Certification Scope

　　Household Appliances Category

　　LED Lighting Products

　　Switching power supply type

　　Information Technology Category

　　Electrical appliances and other related products

　　2. Requirements of the Low Voltage Directive

　　The LVD requires EU member states to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that electrical equipment sold in the domestic market does not pose a threat to public safety, nor endanger domestic animals or property.

　　Therefore, the following must be achieved:

　　The equipment must be designed in a safe and proper manner in accordance with the safety guidelines.

　　2. The equipment must be correctly installed and maintained.

　　3. The equipment must be used in accordance with its intended purpose.

　　If the equipment complies with all the specific safety regulations recognized by all member states, that is, it complies with these provisions. Without affecting other forms of proof, its compliance can be demonstrated by referring to the harmonized standards for good design practices. The LVD was established earlier than the CE marking. The CE marking refers to these new directive schemes drafted by the European Union in recent years. Directive 93/68/EEC modified the LVD to meet current requirements. According to Directive 93/68/EEC, the manufacturer or the authorized representative within the EU can prepare a conformity declaration, attach the CE marking to the product, and indicate that it complies with the LVD and related regulations. From the time the product is launched, the manufacturer must retain technical documents for 10 years for inspection by relevant authorities.

　　Which equipment needs to comply with the Low Voltage Directive?

　　The so-called "low voltage" here does not refer to 3 volts, 5 volts, or 12 volts. According to the first point of the instruction, it is clearly stated:

　　The term "electrical equipment" as used in this instruction refers to all products designed for use within an alternating current voltage range of 50V to 1,000V, and a direct current voltage range of 75V to 1,500V.

　　For example:

　　Home appliance products (EN60335)

　　Lighting products (EN60598)

　　Audio-visual products (EN60065)

　　Information products (EN60950)

　　Electromechanical (EN60204)

　　Measurement Instruments (EN61010)

　　3. Preparation of Certification Materials

　　Electrical schematic diagram

　　Control panel layout (component diagram)

　　The wiring diagram inside the electrical control cabinet, the wiring terminals

　　Internal layout diagram of the electrical control box

　　List of electrical components (name, model, manufacturer information, quantity used, whether CE certification is obtained)

　　Instruction Manual (English Version)

　　Product nameplate

　　Product Difference Table

　　CE Certification Application Form

　　4. Sample Requirements

　　1) Prepare 2 to 4 complete samples of each main test (series test) model;

　　2) If special tools are required for assembly, such tools should be provided as accessories.

　　3) If the product needs to function properly under specific loads, samples should be sent along with the loads so that the product can operate normally.

　　4) For products that require accessories (controllers, connection cables, software, etc.) to function properly, ensure that they are properly connected so that the product can operate normally.

　　5) For products that require chargers, chargers must be provided (it is necessary to mark on the product that the chargers do not need to be tested);

　　For products such as transformers that have the requirement of encapsulation, both sealed (SEALED) and unsealed (UNSEALED) samples should be provided separately.

　　6) According to the requirements of the testing laboratory, provide some important components or unassembled parts, such as: thermal fuse (thermal link), rheostat (resistance), circuit breaker.

　　5. Technical Requirements

　　The CE system of LVD is similar to the EMC directive. All products within the applicable scope must bear the CE mark, and there must also be a declaration of compliance signed by the manufacturer's representative or the importer.

　　A simple self-declaration is not sufficient to confirm that the product is safe (where "safe" is defined as not causing death or injury to personnel or livestock, nor financial damage). For this reason, the LVD declaration requires support from technical documentation files to prove it.

　　The technical proof documents must include:

　　Comprehensive risk analysis and assessment

　　2. General description of electrical products

　　3. Design concept and manufacturing drawings, as well as detailed information on components and assemblies

　　4. To understand the corresponding drawings and details, as well as the necessary descriptions and explanations required for the operation of electrical products.

　　5. A list of all or part of the harmonized standards, or international standards, or national standards that have been applied, along with a description of the solutions adopted to meet the safety objectives of the directive, including a list of other relevant technical specifications applied. If only some of the harmonized standards, international standards, or national standards were used, the technical document should indicate the specific parts that were applied.

　　6. The results of the design calculations and tests, etc.

　　7. Test Report

　　6. Certification Process

　　Certification Consultation

　　2. Fill out the request form for certification information, and provide the necessary company information, product information, etc.

　　3. Certification institution testing fee quotation: Based on the provided materials, a reasonable quotation will be given to the client for the implementation of the specified standards and related testing items.

　　4. Samples will be sent. The laboratory will conduct on-site review and guidance for the requested products in accordance with relevant EU directives, and provide a complete set of testing services.

　　5. Review and testing completion: Completion of the preparation of relevant review materials and the approval of the testing report.

　　6. Project Completion: Final payment has been settled, and the CE certificate has been issued.