Electrical Safety Compliance Made Easy

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Kellie Preston
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1 Electrical Safety Compliance Made Easy A practical approach guide to what you need to know when submitting products for electrical safety testing

2 Who Am I? Name Title: Employer: Experience: Mark Penton Senior Consultant 20 Years experience in Electrical Safety History: Telephone: Worked for Electrolux, TÜV Product Service, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) & Ericsson

3 Contents 1. What is Electrical Safety? A brief overview of electrical safety testing 2. Preparing In advance How to prepare in advance to ensure things run smoothly when submitting products 3. Selecting critical components and materials. Guidance on selecting correct components and materials to use in your products 4. Hints and tips Practical advice to help you avoid problems

4 What is Electrical Safety?

5 What is Electrical Safety Electrical safety actually covers a range of issues aimed at ensuring the product is safe for the user and does not pose a hazard to the surrounding environment. Considers the following- The design and construction of the product The product operation under normal operating conditions What happens under fault conditions and component failures Interconnection with other equipment and networks Selection of materials and components Despite the term electrical safety it actually covers a whole range of hazards

6 Hazards Addressed by the Standards Type of Hazard Electric Shock Energy Fire Heat Mechanical hazards Radiation hazards Chemical Hazards What is addressed Voltages on accessible parts, insulation between circuits and parts, leakage current, protective earthing, safety interlocks Energy on accessible parts, interconnection circuits, fault conditions Overloads, component failures, insulation breakdown, selection of materials, fire enclosures, protective devices Temperature limits, material properties, cooling & ventilation, operator accessible parts, fault conditions, material & component selection, flammable liquids. Operator access, safety interlocks, guarding, mechanical strength & stability Laser (light) radiation, X-radiation, Radio Frequency Ultraviolet (UV) Toxic vapours and smoke under fault conditions, dangerous liquids, chemical interaction between materials, warnings

7 Types of Safety Testing There are 2 types of approach to safety testing 1. Type testing: A one off test on a sample of the product. A report or certificate relating to the product. No production control or factory inspections. No means of ensuring ongoing compliance. A snapshot based on one sample does not guarantee future product quality. Examples of applications for type testing: To support CE Marking (for inclusion in technical file) CB Scheme (as basis for obtaining international acceptance & certification)

8 Types of Safety Testing 2. Product certification: An ongoing partnership between manufacturer and certification body. Initial testing of product. Regular factory inspections where the product is made. Certification mark permitted on the product. Ongoing compliance maintained. Assignment of a certification mark Examples of the benefits of certification: Market access Consumer confidence Ongoing production quality Marketing advantage

9 The CB Scheme Internationally recognised There are 46 formally participating countries Recognised in many more countries (eg: South Africa) And 61 National Certification Bodies - NCBs With 225 Testing Laboratories CBTLs 50,000 CB certificates issued each year Over 400,000 CB Certificates currently in circulation More than 15,000 manufacturers use the CB Scheme

10 Formal participating countries Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Czech Rep. Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kenya Rep. of Korea Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom United States Serbia and Montenegro

11 Scope of the CB Scheme Designation Product Category Available IEC Standards BATT Batteries 60086, 60099, 60254, 61809, 61960, 61982, 62133, 62259, CABL Cables and cords 60227, 60245, 60702, CAP Capacitors 60252, 60384, 60939, 61048, CONT Switches for appliances 60691, 60730, 60934, 61058, 61095, 61508, EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility CISPR 11, CISPR 12, CISPR 13, CISPR 14, CISPR 15, CISPR 16, CISPR 20, CISPR 22, CISPR 24, 60118, 60204, 60255, 60478, 60533, 60601, 60728, 60870, 60945, 60947, 60974, 61000, 61131, 61204, 61326, 61543, 61547, 61800, 61812, 62040, 62041, 62052, 62053, 62054, 62153, HOUS Household and similar equipment 60312, 60335, 60342, 60436, 60456, 60530, 60704, 60705, 60967, 61121, 61770, INST Installation accessories and connection devices 60083, 60309, 60320, 60423, 60439, 60614, 60669, 60670, 60684, 60807, 60884, 60974, 60998, 60999, 61011, 61076, 61084, 61210, 61238, 61242, 61316, 61800, 61984, 62094, LITE Lighting 60064, 60155, 60238, 60360, 60400, 60432, 60570, 60598, 60838, 60901, 60920, 60921, 60922, 60924, 60926, 60927, 60928, 60929, 60968, 60969, 61046, 61047, 61050, 61184, 61195, 61199, 61231, 61347, MEAS Measuring instruments 60414, 61010, MED Electrical equipment for medical use 60580, 60601, 60976, MISC Miscellaneous 60747, 60900, OFF IT and office equipment 60825, 60950, POW Low voltage, high power switching equipment 60158, 60947, 62026, PROT Installation protective equipment 60127, 60257, 60269, 60282, 60529, 60755, 60898, 61008, 61009, PV Photovoltaics 60891, to 10, 61194, 61215, 61345, 61646, 61702, 61721, 61829, 62093, PVRS11, PVRS11A SAFE Safety transformers and similar equipment 60044, 60742, TOOL Portable tools 60745, 61029, TOYS Electric toys TRON Electronics / Entertainment 60065, 60491,

12 Why do we need the CB scheme? Because the world is getting smaller! We trade in an international market

13 Preparing in advance

14 At the Design Stage Ensure design engineers are aware of safety requirements. Provide training Ensure they have access to the standards Seek advice from 3 rd parties Enlist a consultant Consider getting a compliance review at an early stage of development Highlight any issues with the design Avoid re-design at a later stage Advice on component and material selection

15 At the Design Stage Select already approved components and materials. Know your target markets Reduce testing requirements Avoid potential failures Avoid having to change / re-source components Don t design power supplies unless you really need to. They involve extensive testing Can cost more to test than the end product Critical to safety of the product

16 Requesting a Quotation Know your market Where do you want to sell the product? Is CE marking sufficient? Are international approvals / Certifications required? Ensure that these requirements are defined when requesting quotations Provide as much information as possible Target markets Product description / Brochures Photos / drawings Define power requirements Specify other facilities required (water, drainage, compressed air etc..) Fan speed control or air conditioning incorporated in the product Timescales required Budget constraints

17 Preparing to Submit for testing Collate documentation before submitting Circuit Diagrams & Schematics Parts Listings Mechanical & Exploded drawings Critical Component Approvals information User and service manuals Rating label drawings List all accessories and parts required to be included with the product Define product families List all production facilities

18 Preparing to Submit for testing Ensure that the equipment is suitably configured for testing Worst case normal load conditions Provide worst case configuration Prepare support equipment loads & cabling Provide clear operating instructions Write test software

19 Preparing to Submit for testing Find out how many samples are required Complete product Power supplies Fuses, thermal cut-outs and other components Plastic parts In-Situ testing at your site can often be the most effective way of testing. 100% of our engineers attention All support facilities available Issues can be resolved face to face Fix your problems and clear non compliances on-line with the testing

20 Safety Critical Components and materials

21 Safety Critical Components & Materials These guidance notes are intended to explain what information is required to show that a safety critical component holds suitable approval. This will assist you in preparing the correct information in advance of submitting your product for testing

22 Which Components are Safety Critical Mains Components Mains plugs and cords Appliance couplers, EMC filters Fuses and fuseholders Wiring Power supplies Capacitors (Class X, Class Y) Other components DC/DC converters Fans Enclosure materials Connectors PCB s Thermistors, PTC s Transformers

23 IEC & EN Investigations Component approvals should be in the form of a current test certificate / report to a relevant IEC / EN standard. The documents should be in English from a CB, CCA or LVD accredited test laboratory (e.g. TÜV Product Service, VDE). The test certificate must be current (some have expiry dates) and must detail all relevant information i.e. some certificates are made up of many pages, all should be supplied. If the test certificate does not give all of the required details then a copy of the test report may be required. This is generally the case, for example, with power supply units where more detailed information is required i.e. maximum rated ambient, classification of outputs, method of mains isolation. Self-declaration in the form of a Certificate of Conformity, component marking, manufacturer s declaration etc. may also be accepted in some cases. However, the responsibility that the component is suitably approved remains with you (this would be stated in any test report issued). Note: statements like designed to meet or complies with ENxxxx are not evidence of suitable component approvals

24 IEC & EN Investigations Where Third Party Certification of your product is being sought self-declaration is not acceptable and 3rd approved components should be used (e.g. TÜV PS, UL, CB, VDE). X and Y class capacitors (including discrete components or within filters) - must comply with IEC nd Ed. Mains switches / circuit breakers the approval documentation must clearly state the voltage and current ratings. Where transformers or motors are to be assessed then we require details of the thermal classification of the winding in accordance with IEC60085 (this also apply to the windings of inductors). The thermal classification of winding insulation is as follows: Class:- A 100ºC; E 115ºC; B 120ºC; F 140ºC; H 165ºC

25 Flammability of Materials This refers to plastic or non-metallic materials used in the construction of the unit. Compliance may be based on self-declaration, and/or suitable documentary evidence of compliance with the relevant standard for flammability. This will most commonly be to UL 94. In order for the suitability of the materials used to be assessed the following information is required:- i) The name of the company that holds the UL approval (eg: GE Plastics, 3M). ii) The name and part number of the material (e.g. Lexan, LX437). iii) The UL file number (e.g. E143678). iv) The flammability rating (e.g. V-1, V-2, HB, HF2). v) Thickness of material used The name of the approval holder and material is the most important information required in order for us to confirm compliance. The easiest method of obtaining the information is to obtain a copy of the UL Listing (Yellow) Card, which can be obtained from the approval holder, the manufacturer of the material, or from UL s website

26 Example of UL Flammability Listing

27 US / Canadian Investigations All safety critical components and materials must have current UL or CSA Recognition and in order to verify this the following information is required:- i) The name of the company that holds the UL or CSA approval ii) The type or model number of the component. iii) The UL file number (e.g. E143678). The easiest method of obtaining the information is to obtain a copy of the UL Listing (Yellow) Card, which can be obtained from the approval holder, the manufacturer of the component/part, or from UL s website. Where transformers are to be assessed and an insulation Class higher than Class A is to be used the UL require a UL Recognised insulation system (OBJY2) to be employed. (A recognised insulation system is a combination of materials that have been tested together for suitability of use in prolonged high temperature conditions)

28 UL Power Supply Listing

29 Example of TÜV PS Certificate

30 Example of VDE Certificate

On-Line Approvals Links Certification Body Link Certification Body Link TÜV Product Service www.tuev-sued.de/product services/services/gblrenwwjohi. asp TÜV Rheinland www.tuvdotcom.com/pi/web/ byman.

31 On-Line Approvals Links Certification Body Link Certification Body Link TÜV Product Service services/services/gblrenwwjohi. asp TÜV Rheinland byman.xml?strlevel=-1 VDE erungsregister/detailsearch ÖVE CSA directories.csa-international.org/ KEMA KEUR d_processes/certified_produ cts/advanced_search/search.asp#0 FIMKO ml CEBEC oducts.asp UL database.ul.com/cgi-bin/xyv/ template/lisext/1frame/ index.htm ETL etlwhidirectory.etlsemko.com /WebClients/ITS/DLP/produc ts.nsf/$$search?openform SEMKO ge.semko.se/semko/certified/ ASTA BEAB IMQ =inglese&if=&ia=&sett=&cat=&s ct

32 Hints and Tips

33 Hints and Tips Know your target markets Provide as much info as possible at the quotation stage Get a copy of the applicable standard Select already approved components Get a compliance review at an early stage of development Don t rely on datasheets as evidence of component approvals ( designed to meet in accordance with ) Don t design your own power supplies unless you really need to Consider In-Situ testing if its practical Collate all documentation before submitting for test

34 Hints and Tips Ensure that the equipment is suitably configured for testing (worst case normal load conditions) Find out how many samples are required List all accessories and parts required to be included with the product Define product families Check the thickness of plastic parts when determining flammability ratings Supply equipment fully ready for testing loads cables support equipment test software Specify all manufacturing locations

35 Hints and Tips Ensure support is available during testing Select a nominated technical contact Attend on first day to assist with set up Respond to non-compliances as a package Advise when you are going to send new samples

36 Summary 1. What is Electrical Safety? 2. Preparing In advance 3. Selecting critical components and materials. 4. Hints and tips

37 Thanks for Listening Any Questions?

International Product Compliance and Certifications. Product Safety Consulting, Inc.

International Product Compliance and Certifications - USA - Canada - Europe - Other International - CB Scheme Agenda This was the only mark. Now, these are the marks A bit of history.. UL founded in 1894