The Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1989

Regulation 4(2)

SCHEDULE 1 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT EXCLUDED FROM THESE REGULATIONS

• Equipment for use in an explosive atmosphere

• Equipment for radiology and medical purposes

• Parts for goods lifts and passenger lifts

• Electricity supply meters

• Plugs, socket outlets and adaptors for domestic use

• Fence controllers

• Specialised 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

Regulation 5(2)

SCHEDULE 2 PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF THE SAFETY OBJECTIVES FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR USE WITHIN CERTAIN VOLTAGE LIMITS

1.  General conditions

(a) The essential characteristics, the recognition and observance of which will ensure that electrical equipment will be used safely and in applications for which it was made, shall be marked on the equipment, or, if this is not possible, on an accompanying notice.

(b) The manufacturer’s 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.

(d) The electrical equipment should be so designed and manufactured as to ensure that protection against the hazards set out in points 2 and 3 of this Schedule is assured providing that the equipment is used in applications for which it was made and is adequately maintained.

2.  Protection against hazards arising from the electrical equipment

Measures of a technical nature should be prescribed in accordance with point 1, in order to ensure:

(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 temperatures, arcs or radiation which would cause a danger, are not produced;

(c) that persons, domestic animals and property are adequately protected against non-electrical dangers caused by the electrical equipment which are revealed by experience;

(d) that the insulation must be suitable for foreseeable conditions.

3.  Protection against hazards which may be caused by external influences on the electrical equipment.

Technical measures are to be laid down in accordance with point 1, in order to ensure:

(a) that the electrical equipment meets the expected mechanical requirements in such a way that persons, domestic animals and property are not endangered;

(b) that the electrical equipment shall be resistant to non-mechanical influences in expected environmental conditions, in such a way that persons, domestic animals and property are not endangered;

(c) that in foreseeable conditions of overload the electrical equipment shall not endanger persons, domestic animals and property.