[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Low Voltage Directive explained LVD 2014/35/EUDirective guide # Low Voltage Directive (LVD) Explained for Founders The Low Voltage Directive is one of the oldest and most fundamental CE directives. It applies to any equipment operating at 50–1000V AC or 75–1500V DC. This guide explains what founders need to know about LVD scope, essential safety requirements, and compliance for mains-powered hardware. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Flow-voltage-directive-explained) [Check if LVD applies](/platform/start) Problem ## LVD scope is often misunderstood Many founders assume LVD applies to all electronics, or conversely, that it only applies to industrial equipment. Both assumptions are wrong. LVD is a voltage-based directive: it applies to equipment operating within specific voltage ranges, regardless of whether it is consumer, industrial, or professional equipment. The confusion gets worse with battery-powered devices that include mains chargers. The device itself may be outside LVD scope (battery voltage below 75V DC), but the charger is squarely within LVD scope. If you ship device and charger together, you need to address LVD compliance for the complete system. The pain point is not the testing itself—safety testing is well-understood. The pain point is correctly identifying whether LVD applies to your product, understanding the essential safety requirements, and selecting the right harmonised standards before you commit to design decisions that affect safety. Requirements ## Essential safety requirements under LVD ### Electrical safety Protection against electric shock from direct and indirect contact, including insulation requirements, creepage and clearance distances, and protective earth connections. ### Thermal safety Protection against hazards from heat, fire, and radiation. Components must not reach dangerous temperatures, and materials must be flame-resistant where required. ### Mechanical safety Protection against mechanical hazards. Enclosures must provide adequate protection, and moving parts must be guarded to prevent injury. ### Radiation safety Protection against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, including optical radiation from LEDs and laser sources. ### Chemical safety Protection against chemical hazards from materials, including restrictions on hazardous substances and prevention of harmful emissions. Process ## LVD compliance workflow 01 ### Confirm voltage scope Determine whether your product operates within LVD voltage ranges (50–1000V AC or 75–1500V DC). If it operates below these ranges, LVD may not apply, but other directives might. 02 ### Select harmonised standards Choose appropriate harmonised standards from the Official Journal. IEC 62368-1 is the current standard for most IT and AV equipment. Verify the standard is current and covers your product type. 03 ### Design for safety Apply safety requirements during design: adequate creepage and clearance distances, proper insulation, thermal management, flame-rated materials, and protective earth where required. 04 ### Commission safety testing Commission safety testing at an ILAC MRA-accredited laboratory. Testing includes dielectric strength, insulation resistance, earth continuity, temperature rise, and mechanical strength tests. 05 ### Document evidence Compile test reports, design calculations, material specifications, and risk assessment into the technical file. Ensure all evidence describes the exact product configuration that will ship. 06 ### Include in Declaration of Conformity List LVD and the applied harmonised standards in your EU Declaration of Conformity. The DoC is your legal declaration that the product meets LVD essential safety requirements. Structure ## LVD scope and exclusions Understanding what is in and out of LVD scope is critical for compliance planning. ### In scope * • Equipment operating 50–1000V AC * • Equipment operating 75–1500V DC * • Mains-powered power supplies * • Chargers and adapters * • Industrial control equipment ### Out of scope * • Equipment below 50V AC / 75V DC * • Equipment used in explosive atmospheres * • Medical devices (covered by MDR) * • Certain electrical components * • Plugs and sockets for domestic use ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Browse courses](/courses)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book](/books) ## Frequently asked questions ### What voltage range does the Low Voltage Directive cover? LVD covers equipment operating at 50 to 1000V AC and 75 to 1500V DC. Equipment below these voltages may be outside LVD scope but may still need EMC or other directives. Equipment above these ranges falls under different regulations. ### Does LVD apply to battery-powered devices? Typically no. Battery-powered devices operating below 75V DC are outside LVD voltage scope. However, if the device includes a mains-powered charger, the charger itself falls under LVD, and the complete system may need consideration. ### What are the key harmonised standards under LVD? IEC 62368-1 is the primary safety standard for audio/video and information technology equipment. IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065 are still referenced for some legacy products. Machinery-specific standards apply for equipment under the Machinery Regulation. ### Can I self-certify under LVD? Yes. LVD allows self-certification under Module A (internal production control) when harmonised standards are applied. Notified Body involvement is not required unless you are using non-harmonised standards or the product is also covered by other directives requiring it. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap Related guides * [EMC Directive complianceComplete guide to EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) compliance: emissions, immunity, testing requirements, and harmonised standards fo…](/guides/emc-directive-compliance) * [CE marking for consumer electronicsComplete guide to CE marking for consumer electronics: applicable directives, testing requirements, cost breakdown, and realist…](/guides/ce-marking-for-consumer-electronics) * [CE marking for industrial equipmentComplete guide to CE marking for industrial equipment: Machinery Regulation, EMC, LVD, safety requirements, and conformity asse…](/guides/ce-marking-for-industrial-equipment) * [CE compliance for USB/charging devicesComplete guide to CE compliance for USB chargers, power adapters, and charging devices: LVD, EMC, safety standards, and USB-IF …](/guides/ce-compliance-for-usb-charging-devices) Educational resource only. CE responsibility remains with the manufacturer or authorised representative. 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