I need advice concerning the product safety testing required before
the CE mark can be applied to a product.
It is my understanding that, prior to 1 Jan 1997, only compliance to
the applicable EMC standards was required to be able to self declare
and put the CE mark on products shipped to the European Community.
Effective 1 Jan 1997, I know we must also demonstrate compliance with
the Low Voltage Directive and put together a Technical Construction
File to continue to self declare conformance to the EC directives and
put the CE mark on our products.
As I read the Low Voltage Directive, it applies to products designed
for use with voltages between 50VAC and 1000VAC or 75VDC and 1500VDC.
We are developing an ITE product that will use a separately housed
switching power supply "brick" which we will purchase from a power
supply manufacturer. The "brick" has all the appropriate ratings,
approvals, and is CE marked. It will attach to 85 to 265VAC and a
cable from it will supply our box with +5VDC (3A) and +12VDC (1.5A).
Our box, therefore, is designed to work with voltages well below the
lower limits of the LVD. Assuming that the box meets the EC's EMC and
marking requirements, can't I self declare compliance to the EC
directives and CE-mark the product without further safety or
LVD-required testing? If I need to "product safety" test our box, to
what standard must I test? And what is the applicable EC directive?
Thanks for your assistance,
-jb
John Blalock
Senior Hardware Development Engineer
Microtest Inc.
4747 North 22nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016-4708
(602) 952-6681 FAX: (602) 952-6530
email: [email protected]
