Enclosures
6 steps to CE marking: low-voltage
power switchgear and controlgear assemblies
W hilst we all aim to be fully aware of our legal
obligations as manufacturers of low-voltage
assemblies, it often feels like the legislation,
standards and practices are constantly changing.
This means there is little time to understand
the sheer volume of information, let alone
implement an effective solution. Pre-‘Brexit’
changes to EU legislation were introduced
that affected manufacturers of electrical
equipment in the form of a new suite of
directives. Manufacturers in the UK may be
wondering how this affects them.
A key part of ensuring product conformity is
having the necessary technical documenta-
tion in place to demonstrate your ability to
design and manufacture equipment which
meets essential safety objectives by assess-
ing associated risks and complying with
requirements of the ‘harmonised’ standard, or
as we know it BS EN 61439-2.
Demonstrating product conformity
Step 1 - Begin each project by producing an
‘End-User Agreement’ document, this can be
either;
• Product Specific (a generic type of PSC
Assembly)
• Project Specific (a specific PSC Assembly
for a particular application)
Agree/check the assembly characteristics
with the consultant or end-user, for example:
- Short-circuit withstand capability
- Protection of persons against electric
shock
- Installation environment
- Storage and handling
- Operating arrangements
- Maintenance and upgrade capabilities
- Current carrying capacity
Step 2 - Review tested and design verified
devices for your design. Check character-
istics such as rated circuit currents (Inc),
rated current of the busbar system\devices
and the IP Code and dimensions of tested
compartments, ensuring that previously
tested arrangements can accommodate your
requirements.
Step 3 - Review additional design verifica-
tion requirements for your design. Determine
whether your assembly design will have an
adverse effect on performance when in ser-
vice (BS EN 61439-1 Clause 10).
Generally, if the arrangement of the assembly
is not identical to the tested arrangement
(which is likely the case) then as a minimum,
the temperature-rise limits will need to be ver-
ified, and if there are any significant deviations
in the design of the busbar system, short-cir-
cuit protective devices or connections, then
short-circuit withstand strength, along with
other design verification characteristics will
also need to be verified.
Step 4 - Undertake routine verification on
your completed assemblies. In accordance
with BS EN 61439-2 Clause 11, you are
required to undertake routine verification on
every completed assembly.
Step 5 - Provide end-user information.
In accordance with BS EN 61439-2 Clause
6, you are required to supply information and
documentation to the end-user relating to the
following;
A key part of ensuring product conformity is having
the necessary technical documentation in place
www.pbsionthenet.net 19
- Assembly designation marking, manufac-
turer details, date etc (Assembly Labels)
- Instructions for handling, storage, operation
and maintenance (O&M Manual)
- Information relating to the assembly, inter-
face & technical characteristics
- Device and/or component identification
(Drawings)
Step 6 - Undertake conformity assessment.
Technical documentation should be in
accordance with, ‘The Electrical Equipment
(Safety) Regulations 1994’ or low-voltage
directive, 2014-35-EU Annex III.
This is the basis upon which you assess
conformity of your assembly design(s) with all
relevant requirements including assessment
of associated risks.
This will then allow you to apply the CE mark
to the product and draw up an EU Decla-
ration of Conformity to be kept with your
technical file for market surveillance purposes
(retaining for a minimum of ten years).
The current ‘in-force’ UK legislation effectively
incorporates the requirements of the previous
low-voltage directive, and to a similar extent,
the new low-voltage directive. Whether
supplying into the UK or into the EU, the
electrical equipment must be in conformity
with requirements set out in accordance with
this legislation.
Neil Williams, Elsteel UK