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Created: 16-3-01
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Update: 18-11-02
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Low Voltage
Directive 73/23/EEC |
OFFICIAL TITLE
Council Directive of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization
of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment
designed for use within certain voltage limits
(73/23/EEC).
AMENDMENTS TO THIS DIRECTIVE
Directive
93/68/EEC, OJEC No. L 220, 30 August 1993
OBLIGATORY
SINCE
The requirements for electrical safety are applicable
since 1973; but from 1 January 1997 it is obligatory to affix the CE
Marking to products falling within the scope of this
directive.
SCOPE OF THE LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE
The Low
Voltage Directive applies to 'electrical equipment' designed for use
with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating
current and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current.
EXCLUDED FROM THE SCOPE OF THE DIRECTIVE
Equipment
and phenomena outside the scope of the Directive:
-
Electrical equipment for use in an explosive atmosphere;
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Electrical equipment for radiology and medical purposes;
-
Electrical parts for goods and passenger lifts;
-
Electricity meters;
- Plugs and socket outlets for domestic
use;
- Electric fence controllers;
-
Radio-electrical interference;
- Specialized electrical
equipment, for use on ships, aircraft or railways, which complies
with the safety provisions drawn up by international bodies in
which the Member States participate.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOW
VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE
Principal elements of the safety objectives
for electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage
limits are:
- general conditions;
- protection
against hazards arising from the electrical equipment;
-
protection against hazards which may be caused by
external influences on the electrical equipment.
MAIN
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the Low Voltage Directives is
the protection of the health and safety of persons, and thus to
prevent, as far as possible, the placing on the market and putting
into service of unsafe or otherwise non-compliant
products.
CONFORMITY MARKING
Conformity with the Low
Voltage Directive is indicated with the CE Marking, which is a
mandatory marking for products falling within the scope of this
Directive. CE stands for Conformité Européenne, French for European
conformity.
Without the CE Marking, and without complying
with the provisions of the Directive, the product may not be placed
on the market or put into service in the European countries that
form the European Economic Area (the EEA consists of the fifteen
member states of the EU and Norway, Iceland and
Liechtenstein.)
However, if the product meets the provisions
of the applicable European Directives these countries may not
prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market or putting
into service of the product. Thus, the CE Marking can be regarded as
a product's trade passport for Europe.
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Related
Documents:
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Related
Publications:
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Other Articles
of Interest:
| Low
Voltage Directive: CE Certification Procedure
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