Designers' Guide to Electrical and Electronic Equipment Safety for the European Market

The introduction of the Single European Market on 1 January 1993 removed trade barriers between member states.

Harmonization of the various safety standards now in force played an important part in this process.

This designers' guide covers domestic electronics/electrical equipment, information technology and industrial instrumentation and controls.

It provides an understanding of the principles common to most of the standards and laws for safety, and should facilitate compliance with them.

It should also be a useful introduction to the electrical equipment and safety standards and regulations, and relevant product liability legislation.

The report is divided into three sections. In part one regulations and standards are discussed, together with the implications for the Single European Market.

Attention is paid to the market characteristics and trade barriers of member states, the uses, testing and harmonization of standards, standards organizations and the members states' approach to approvals, including certified product conformity, independent approvals and the treatment of equipment outside the scope of single standard. Part two introduces the principles of designing for safety, and outlines the scope and content of the electrical safety standards in the electrochemical field, particularly energy, fire, heat, radiation and chemical hazards also electric shock.

Part three gives more detailed design guidance in these and other areas, including equipment classification, insulation, creepage distances and clearances, wiring, components, tests, measurements and markings and user instructions, concentrating on areas where difficulties are most often experienced.

The guide ensures that no vital areas of concern in the field of electrical safety standards is overlooked.

A set of appendices covering standards, regulations, warning signs, and international symbols and directives are also included.

This report updates and replaces 90-0220R "A Guide to the Design of Electrical Equipment for Safety and Approvals in the European Market - 1992".