LVD Training

This article covers the basics of LVD training.

The low voltage directive (LVD) covers products in the European Union with voltages ranging from 50 – 1000V for alternating currents and 75 – 1500V for direct currents. This directive is designed to cover all safety and health risks to people, property and domesticated animals. In general, most electronic consumer products will fall under this directive.

Compliance with the LVD is necessary for manufacturers to affix the CE Marking onto their product. Every company wanting to ship to the EU needs to undergo some kind of LVD training. Manufacturers can self-certify compliance with this directive if they have tested the product to the requirements of the directive (either in-house or at a test-lab).

The manufacturer must know what specific standards their product falls under and conform to those standards. This must all be shown in the Technical File. Each harmonized standard gives specific information on how conformity can be achieved. Remember, it is imperative to have a test proving compliance with each standard.

It is also imperative to have a quality control system that ensures that all products in the product line will comply just as the original. There is no point in making sure that your original product is compliant with the LVD if every other product in the same line is not. In other words, compliance with the LVD is an ongoing process. That is why constant LVD training is so important. There must be systematic checks to ensure all products in the product line are compliant and that a record of their compliance is kept.

In the same vein, it is important to remember that standards are changed and edited throughout the years. When these adjustments occur it may mean that an adjustment in the production of the product is necessary. It could also mean that a change in Quality Control Records or Technical Files will be necessary.

Maintaining an accurate Technical File is also an important part of complying with the LVD. There is little point in complying with a directive if there is no proof of it. Keeping an up-to-date Technical File can help to ensure no unnecessary involvement from the authorities. Technical File training is an essential component to LVD training.

The LVD is one of the oldest and successful directives. Products that fall under this directive in the EU have been shown to have a lower accident rate than in other regions. LVD training should be simple enough, as long as you stay vigilant.