Alan, _IF_ your product is covered by the R&TTED _THEN_ there is no lower voltage limit for safety (or anything else). In fact, this is also true for the upper voltage limits. Therefore, the R&TTED applies to mobile 'phones even though they are powered from 3V batteries. If you invented some equipment covered by the R&TTED that was powered directly off a 60 kV MV line then that would be covered too.
However, If your product IS NOT covered by the R&TTED THEN the existing voltage limits continue to apply when considering the LVD. There are therefore many examples of network infrastructure equipment which are not covered by either the R&TTED or the LVD, typically they are CE marked to show compliance with the EMC Directive. I know that some people have the mistaken belief that the R&TTED somehow modified the voltage limits of the LVD. This is not so, the R&TTED did not modify the LVD. Certainly, the European Commission are considering revising the LVD and one of the things they are looking at is the removal of the lower voltage limits (they are presently not suggesting the removal of the upper voltage limits). However, these discussions are still in the early stages - so it wouldn't be too good an idea to start making changes to your compliance strategy on the basis of possibilities. Hope all is now clear. Richard Hughes -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 05 December 2002 10:56 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: CE for IP Phone Importance: High Richard Hughes said: ++ Moreover, since the said telephone is connected only to an SELV Circuit then ++ it falls below the lower voltage limits of the LVD (50 Vac, 75 Vdc) and so ++ the LVD does not apply. I thought the RTTED referral to the LVD removed the voltage limits of the latter? That is, under the RTTED even battery-operated portable equipment then came under its LVD requirements. I'm quite happy to be proven wrong of course, as I'm no expert on either Directive. Regards, Alan EMC Consultant Alenia Marconi Systems Scotland
