MG.20.B6.02 – VLT is a registered Danfoss trademark
VLT
®
2000 Series
86
Frequency converters must be CE labelled in
accordance with the low-voltage directive.
What is CE labelling?
The machine directive (89/392/EEC)
All machines with critical, moving parts are
covered by the machine directive.
Since a frequency converter is largely
electrical by function, it does not fall under
the machine
The low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC)
The EMC directive (89/336/EEC)
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The purpose of CE labelling is to avoid technical
obstacles to trade within EFTA and the EU. The EU
has introduced the CE labelling as a simple way of
showing whether a product complies with the
relevant EU directives. The CE mark says nothing
about the quality or specifications of a product. Three
EU directives relate to frequency converters.
directive. However, if a frequency converter is
supplied for use in a machine, we will provide infor-
mation about the safety aspects relating to the
frequency converter. We do that by the use of a
manufacturer’s declaration.
EMC is short for electromagnetic compatibility. The
presence of electromagnetic compatibility means that
the mutual interference between different compon-
ents/appliances is so small that the functioning
of the appliances is not affected. The EMC directive
came into force on 1 January 1996. The directive
distinguishes between components, appliances, sy-
stems and installations.
The EU “Guidelines on Application of Council Directive
89/336/EEC” outline three typical situations of using a
frequency converter. For each of these situations,
explanations are offered as to whether the situation in
question is covered by the EMC directive and must
be CE labelled.
1
1
1
1
1. The frequency converter is sold directly to the final
consumer. The frequency converter is for example
sold to the domestic market. The final consumer
is a layman. He installs the frequency converter
himself for example for a hobby machine or a
household machine. The frequency converter
must be CE labelled according to the EMC
directive.
2
2
2
2
2. The frequency converter is sold for installation in a
plant being built up on site by a professional
installer. That could for example be a production
plant or a heating/ventilation plant, which is
designed and installed by professionals. Neither
the frequency converter nor the complete plant
has to be CE labelled according to the EMC
directive. The plant, however, must comply with
the basic EMC requirements of the directive. The
installer can ensure this by using components,
appliances and systems, which are CE-labelled
according to the EMC directive.
3
3
3
3
3. The frequency converter is sold as part of a
complete system. A system has an intrinsic
function for the final user and is placed on the
market as a single functional unit. That could for
example be an air-conditioning system. The
complete system must be CE labelled according
to the EMC directive.The manufacturer of the
system can ensure the CE labelling according to
the EMC directive either by using CE labelled
components or by testing the EMC performance
of the system.
If he chooses to use only CE labelled components,
he does not have to test the entire system.
The directive applies to all electrical equipment and
applicances used in the voltage range of 50-1000 V
AC and 75-1500 V DC.
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Special conditions
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