2014/35/EU - Low Voltage Directive, covers all electrical equipment and components designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current. The Low Voltage Directive defines which products fall within its field of application, it provides the essential (safety) requirements that electrical equipment and components covered by it must comply with, and it outlines the conformity assessment procedure the manufacturer must apply in order to ensure compliance with the essential requirements.

The Directive applies to all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current. Voltage ratings refer to the voltage of the electrical input or output, not to voltages that may appear inside the equipment.

The term “electrical equipment” is not defined in the Directive. Therefore it is to be interpreted according to the internationally recognised meaning of this term. The definition of electrical equipment in the “International Electrotechnical Vocabulary of IEC” (International Electrotechnical Commission) is:

“item used for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, switchgear and controlgear, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring material, current-using equipment.”

The scope of the Directive includes both electrical equipment intended for incorporation into other equipment and equipment intended to be used directly without being incorporated.
 
Examples of products within the scope of the LVD Directive:

• Socket outlets 230 V for domestic use.
• Luminaire plugs and socket outlets for domestic use.
• Appliance couplers –plugs, -outlets.
• Appliance couplers for industrial purposes.
• Appliance couplers e.g. vehicle heater i.e. manufacturer fabricated standars.
• Cables.
• Components.
• Cord extension sets Plug + cable + socket outlet with or without passive components.
• Cord sets and interconnection cord sets Plug + cable + cord set.
• Installations enclosures and conduits.
• Multiple travel adaptors.
• Multiple travel adaptors with supply (e.g. charger for mobile phones or music player).
• Plug with one or more socket outlets with incorporated electronic dimmer or twilight dimmer.
• Product with integrated plug and/or outlets. 230V for domestic use (e.g. charger for mobile phones, night lights).
• Switches for households and similar fixed electrical installations.
• Voltage detectors.