This issue covers:
- EU safety directive standards updated
- Free Clare guide to EN50191
- Guide to motor driven systems
- ESC views on appliance safety
- UK domestic appliances market report
EU safety directive standards updated
The Commission of the European Union (EU) has published an updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of its directive relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (2006/95/EC).
The Directive defines ‘electrical equipment’ as any device 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 updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate compliance with the Directive has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and replaces all previously published standards lists.
For the full list, visit: eur-ex.europa.eu
Free Clare guide to EN50191
The practical issues associated with the EN50191 standard for the installation and operation of electrical test equipment are covered in an updated free guide from Clare.
The reprinted colour ‘Guide to EN50191’ will be of interest to those with the responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of electrical test equipment in manufacturing, compliance, repair and design organisations.
EN50191 impacts on those companies manufacturing electrical or electronic equipment and particularly on those individuals and organisations that have a duty under the Health & Safety at Work Act to maintain safety in the workplace.
It is also applicable to test houses, repair workshops and design laboratories because the standard applies to all facilities where electrical testing is undertaken.
The Clare guide provides the information and data necessary to ensure the safety of test personnel involved in electrical test activities and to assist those responsible manage the various types of test locations to prevent danger.
Also included is information on the safety requirements of different electrical test stations and locations along with details of the safety measures required to ensure protection against electric shock.
A copy of the guide is available here.
Guide to motor driven systems
Gambica, the trade organisation for automation, instrumentation and control, has published specialist information on maximising the efficiency of motor driven systems.
The presentation, Are your motors under control?, considers those automation and energy efficiency factors which are regarded as essential for the effective operation of motor driven systems.
Included are sections on the increasing importance of energy efficiency for industry against rising costs and the scale of energy consumed by electric motors. Also considered are the value of energy in the lifetime cost of an electric motor, the types of motor control and economic and regulatory drivers.
The presentation can be downloaded free from the technical publications section of the Gambica website at www.gambica.org.uk
ESC views on appliance safety
The Electrical Safety Council has published a report on improving electrical appliance product safety. The ‘Safer Products, Better Business’ review takes an overview of the sort of measures needed to bring about an improvement in product safety for consumers and users of electrical equipment.
The areas covered include standards, labelling, traceability and recalls through to market surveillance. The research was carried out against the backdrop of the European Commission’s review of the General Product Safety Directive and includes a number of recommendations from the ESC for the industry and for the policymakers to consider in any future decisions on consumer safety initiatives.
The research includes a section on testing and inspection and should make interesting reading for all involved in ensuring compliance with technical standards and electrical product safety.
For a copy of the report visit the product safety section of the ESC website at www.esc.org.uk
UK domestic appliances market report
A new UK market report predicts that the small domestic electrical appliances industry is entering a period of decline. Between 2013 and 2017, it is forecast to fall in value by 10.8% as the general economic situation causing a turndown in consumer purchasing power.
The Small Domestic Electrical Appliances 2013 report from Key Note market intelligence says the industry's value dropped by 0.8% in 2012. Certain appliances in the market, such as kettles and toasters, are considered to be household essentials. Moreover, both value and volume sales increased in the market following the outbreak of the economic crisis in early 2008 as a result of changes in consumer behaviour. Britons began spending more time at home to save money. In addition, they invested in quality appliances to make this experience more enjoyable. Items were purchased for both leisure and practical purposes.
However, in 2012, the economic crisis finally caught up with the industry. Continued strains on consumers' finances mean that they are increasingly unable to afford small domestic electrical appliances. This trend has caused both value and volume sales to decline.
More details at www.keynote.co.uk
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