Electrical Safety

Electrical safety testing is about protecting the people for whom a product was designed
Electricity revolutionized society, and quickly spread from industries to offices, shops and homes. Nowadays, electrically powered equipment is everywhere. No wonder this is one of the building blocks of safety testing! Much more than merely meeting the latest recognized standards, electrical safety testing is about protecting the people for whom a product was designed and the environment in which it will be used.
Non-conformant devices might expose users to electrical shock, mechanical hazards, fire hazards, electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, harmful radiation, acoustic noise, temperature, biological and chemical effects, explosion and more. Does this sound a little overwhelming? At DEKRA, we’re here to help you.
Why DEKRA?
- Full support in innovation: With our broad portfolio, at DEKRA we can test every aspect of your product from the very beginning, enabling you to bring your innovations to market with confidence.
- International market access: Thanks to our large network of DEKRA labs and partners, we can help you obtain the necessary certifications to increase your global footprint.
- Right first time: With their thorough understanding of lighting industry requirements, our experts will help you to save valuable time by avoiding costly, cumbersome rework.
As the complexity of products increases, the concept of safety needs to evolve
New technologies call for new directives and risk assessments in addition to compliance with existing standards. In this context, both manufacturers and retailers are liable, and reputations and safety are at stake. For manufacturers, it is essential to single out potential consumer and operator hazards in the early stages of the development process. For importers and retailers, it is important to have access to testing documentation and certificates. This increases their confidence while minimizing the risk of costly recalls.
In view of the large number of applicable standards and local regulations, you require expert knowledge to help you navigate through pitfalls and avoid unnecessary overlaps. At DEKRA, our experts will support you by testing against the right standards, not only under normal operating conditions, but also under extreme ones.
Our global network of test laboratories and trusted DEKRA experts as well as our extensive scope offer you innovative solutions tailored to your own specifications. This helps you make the most of your time and budget to successfully bring your products to market.
Our Testing Services in Detail
- Household appliances and consumer electronics
- Professional electronics
- Lighting
- Cables and cords
- Medical
- Switching equipment
- Power tools
Without giving it a second thought, people use numerous electrical devices on the road, at work and at home – and often multiple devices at the same time. Users might become tired or distracted, or they might fail to follow the instructions for use. Mishaps involving electricity are one of the most common causes of accidents in the home, for example.
By testing their products, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers improve the safety of their devices and of those who operate them. With more than 90 years of experience, DEKRA has an extensive track record in the electrical safety testing of products. We help manufacturers and suppliers comply with global regulations and standards that ensure safety.
Professional electronics are not only expected to achieve state-of-the-art performance, but also to increase productivity and safety in the environment in which they are operated. Identifying, correcting and eliminating hazards in ever-more complex devices with increasingly strict requirements is not an easy task.
At DEKRA, we consider every variable that may affect the safety of your product. In fact, we have been providing industry leaders with support, testing, certification and inspection services that ensure the highest level of conformity for more than 90 years.
Light-emitting products are everywhere: from low-energy lamps to street lights, from emergency lighting to Christmas tree lights, and from smart dimmers to the realm of healthcare. With innovation moving at the speed of light, lighting is currently seen as a key driver in the advance of the Internet of Things and smart homes, buildings and cities. As technologies become more sophisticated, safety requirements become more stringent.
At DEKRA, we ensure we stay ahead of the curve and our specialists keep on top of the latest developments in the lighting industry. Our test activities cover components, subassemblies and complete lighting systems.
At DEKRA, we test and certify ultra high voltage, high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage cables and accessories according to a wide scope of standards (e.g. BS, EN, IEC), building regulations as well as client specifications. Our certifications result in easier access to many international markets, such as the Middle East, Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Our scope includes the following services:
- EN50525 and BS-EN50525: cables
- IEC 60502-1: power cables 0.6/1 kV
- All parts of the IEC 60227: PVC insulated cables
- All parts of the IEC 60245: rubber insulated cables
- Low voltage cables to British standards, such as: BS 5467, BS 6004, BS 7211, BS 7629, BS 7846 and many others
- Fire tests, such as: IEC 60331, IEC 60332, EN 50200, EN 50362, BS 6387, BS 8434 and many others.
- Gasses emitted by burning cables: IEC 60754-1, IEC 60754-2, EN 50267, BS 6425
- Smoke density of burning cables: IEC 61034, BS-EN 61034
- Notified Body for Regulation (EU) No. 305/11 (Construction Products Regulation, or CPR) and Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP) system 1+ KEMA-KEUR certification
Active medical devices must comply with i.a. IEC 60601 before they are allowed on the market. At DEKRA, we have laboratories located on various continents where these tests can be conducted.
DEKRA has been officially designated to completely implement the conformity assessment of the IEC 60601 and other standards (e.g. UL) for access to the market.
Do you or does your supplier manufacture low voltage transmission and distribution equipment, such as circuit breakers, switchgear cabinets, panels, installations, MCBs, MCCBs, SPDs, RCBO, RCCB, terminal blocks or other parts of the low voltage switchgear panel? Let us help you enhance the safety and compliance of your products through testing and certification. A DEKRA CB Test Certificate or the KEMA-KEUR certification mark are an excellent way to invest in quality and is well accepted in markets worldwide. Our scope includes, amongst others, the following standards:
- IEC 61439 series
- IEC 60947 series
- IEC 61008 and -9
- IEC 62208 series
- IEC 61921 series
- UL 508 series
Our tests include:
- Aging tests
- Corrosion tests
- Short circuit tests
- Making and breaking tests
- Short-time and peak withstand tests
- Dielectric tests
- Temperature-rise tests at elevated ambient temperatures
- IP and NEMA tests
- Mechanical tests
Do you manufacture power tools, such as drills, angle grinders, polishers, saws, garden blowers, lawn mowers and gasoline garden tools? Then you are probably aware that you need to comply with stringent electrical and mechanical safety requirements, such as the Machinery Directive (Directive 2006/42 /EC) for Europe. Exporters may need to comply with more extensive country-specific standards. This is where the IECEE system for electrical equipment outside of Europe is of particular importance.
Let us support you carry out testing and certification to achieve, for example, a CB Test Certificate or the KEMA-KEUR, E-MARK or GS certification marks. Next to electrical safety testing, we offer other services, such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, chemical testing, energy efficiency testing, and material and performance testing and testing according to the Outdoor Noise Directive to support your access to international markets. Additionally, DEKRA performs tests in accordance with the new test standard EN 50632 for the reproducible measurement of dust emissions in hand-operated motor-powered electric tools.