As you may know, there are several CENELEC performance standards for
components of Alarm Systems and more in the works. For example, EN 50132-2-1
is for black and white cameras for CCTV surveillance systems for use in
security applications. The Alarm Systems immunity standard, EN 50130-4,
makes reference to these component standards, but I never considered
compliance to the performance standards themselves to be mandatory. That
view has changed.
Article 2 of the LVD contains a general safety clause which says, " . . .
equipment may be placed on the market only if . . . . it does not endanger
the safety of persons, domestic animals or property when installed and
maintained and used in applications for which it was made." On 22-9-1999,
the performance standard for black and white CCTV cameras was published in
the Official Journal of the EU (OJ) under the Low Voltage Directive (LVD).
It now appears that "performance" of Alarm Systems is considered to be a
safety concern.
I concluded that all of the performance standards for Alarm System
components will eventually be published in the OJ under the LVD.
Now things get complicated. The LVD applies only to electrical products
operating above 50VAC or 75VDC. Products operating at 24VAC, for example,
are not required to comply with the LVD. However, they must comply with the
General Safety Directive which applies to all products unless a specific
safety directive applies.
The General Safety Directive requires that a safe product "does not present
any risk or only the minimal risks compatible with the product's use,
considered as acceptable and consistent with a high level of protection for
the safety and health of persons". These words combined with others in the
directive leaves me with the conclusion that performance of a component of
an Alarm System is a safety concern. The directive indicates that a standard
may be used to demonstrate compliance.
Do you agree with my analysis?
Richard Woods
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