CE Marking on electrical equipment 1

[lyledunn]

The CE mark must be present in all new electrical equipment sold in the UK. This is to indicate compliance with applicable EC Directives. Thus a manufacturer in the USA who is trading with the UK or EC member states must ensure that his product meets the CE requirement. I was wondering if the USA has a similar scheme.

 

[stevenal]

From the Mational Electric Code:

"Listed. Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or services meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
FPN: The means for identifying listed equipment may vary for each organization concerned with product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled. Use of the system employed by the listing organization allows the authority having jurisdiction to identify a listed product."

Most well known listing organization is Underwriter's Laboratories

http://www.ul.com/.

I think Factory Mutual is another.

 

[buzzp]

The biggest difference between UL and CE is UL does not include EMC type testing where CE marking a product almost always does. This is to prove that the device will not malfunction when exposed to radiated or conducted emissions from other equipment. In addition, it had to be tested to make sure it is not radiating any trash. The combination of UL and the FCC requirements are more closely compared with CE marking more so than UL by itself. Another notable mention is that UL marking a product is not mandatory where as CE marking is a requirement to sell to the EU. Also, condsider CSA marking. This is similar to UL marking only for mostly canada but some companies are requiring this in the US. The mark required varies from customer to customer. Hope this helps. Buzz

 

[JBD]

UL is one of many "independent" testing agency. Products are submitted for testing to a common set of standards. Testing and lableing procedures also exist for components.

CE is a self certification system, no independent testing is required. The manufacturer certifies the equipment has been designed to meet the "harmonized standards" (directives). Testing is suggested but not required. Individual components may not be required to conforming

 

[buzzp]

Addition to JBD's message. CE is not totally a self certifying process. If there are no directives that your equipment would fall under then you would have to involve a Notified Body to either do the tests or review the tests done by another party. Typical non-self certifying equipment would be custom type devices and large pieces of equipment. As far as testing not being required, it really is unless you are prepared to pay out of your own pocket if someone questions the validity of applying the CE mark. If this happens then you have to supply a declaration of conformity and a technical file(lists all tests done and results as well as how it was conducted). You can do all of the tests yourself if you are able to self certify(harmonized standard that your equipment falls under). The tests must be done or addressed though unless you like taking chances. At the very least, address the test in question and explain why you feel the particular test does not include your particular piece of equipment. This should all be in your technical file. Then if a problem is encountered you have proven that you considered the test and this is better than not having any supporting documents at all. Good Luck