Cables

Product definition

This factsheet applies to cables for use in electrical installations and electrical products with insulation made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber.

This includes flexible and non-flexible cables, cables for indoor use, cables for outdoor use, cables with different number of conductors, cables with special fire safety properties and others.

Common risks of Cables

The most common risks identified in this product sector are set out below.

1. Electrical risks

• Electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic disturbances emitted from the electronics can adversely affect persons, domestic animals, property and nearby electrical products.

2. Thermal risks:

• Hot surfaces can cause burns.
• Poorly insulated or fixed wires or substandard components can short circuit and create arcs or overheating, leading to fire.

This is a list of examples of common risks. However, the manufacturer has to carry out an assessment of the cable that covers all relevant risks that may be associated with the product and actions taken to mitigate these risks where possible. A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management. 

Examples of dangerous products

Specific examples of measures taken against dangerous cables offered for sale in the European Union are available on the Safety Gate website. Type ‘cable’ into the free text search box (but without the quotation marks) and select the ‘electrical appliances and equipment’ Product Category to view notified examples. A better understanding of mistakes made in the safety assessment on the cable, or its manufacture can help avoid their repetition.

Main applicable legislation

These products are governed mainly by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD).

The Directive lays down the safety criteria that all cables must meet before they can be marketed in the EU. Cables must comply with the essential safety requirements set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.

• Guidelines for the application of the Low Voltage Directive
• Guidelines for Safety Related Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction for Low Voltage Equipment

In addition, if the electrical appliance and equipment is capable to communicate wirelessly (e.g. incorporates Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), it should meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive.

Please also check the factsheet for Power Supplies, Chargers and Adaptors for safety requirements for the external power supply.

All other products (with a voltage rating below 50 V AC or 75 V DC) and risks not covered by the LVD, are governed by the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). The Directive lays down that only safe consumer products can be marketed in the EU. Cables must comply with the general safety requirement set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.

Applicable standards

“European standards” exist in the EU for cables. Cables complying with these standards are presumed to be in conformity with the essential safety requirements set out in the Low Voltage Directive if the standards are referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
It is important to note that the latest edition of the standard referenced in the OJEU (including any amendments) applies.

Note: The full text of European standards can only be purchased from a national standardisation body. The following site of CEN CENELEC (the European standardisation organisation) provides links to the national standardisation bodies’ websites. In addition, the China Standards Information Services Network can be used to access European standards.

Cables are governed by international IEC standards.
The following standards apply to cables depending upon the type of insulation:

The IEC 60227 series

This series of standards describes safety requirements to polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V.

The IEC 60245 series

This series of standards describes the safety requirements to rubber insulated cables with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V.

However, the standard series covers other safety issues and manufacturers are strongly advised to consult the whole standard.

Other legislation of relevance:

The following summarises some further key applicable laws:

• EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) – lays down requirements for emission of electromagnetic disturbances to the environment and immunity to electromagnetic disturbances in the surrounding environment. Electromagnetic immunity and disturbances for products incorporating a communications device are dealt with under the Radio Equipment Directive.
• RoHS 2 Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) – restricts the use of certain substances and chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment
• Ecodesign regulations – establishes ecodesign requirements for energy-related products
• Energy labelling regulations – establishes the requirements and criteria for energy labelling of energy-related products
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – establishes rules for treating of waste electrical and electronic equipment, to contribute to sustainable production and consumption
• Please note that every product must be safe for the consumers according to the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), even if it falls outside of the voltage limits specified in the Low Voltage Directive.

Mandatory labelling & warnings

The following are obligatory:

• CE Marking is obligatory for all cables that fall within the scope of the LVD. Before marking the cable with the CE mark, the manufacturer needs to identify all the applicable legal requirements, verify the conformity of the cable with these requirements, compile a technical documentation that evidences this and create a written declaration of conformity. When this has been done, he should affix the CE mark on the product. Refer to the factsheet on CE marking.
• Information on the manufacturer and the importer is obligatory.
• The crossed-out wheel bin is obligatory for all electronics to indicate that it must be disposed of according to the rules for handling of waste from electronic and electrical equipment.

Safety warnings and instructions are obligatory for many types of cables to draw attention of users to risks and how to avoid injury.

General safety requirements

To ensure that manufacturers produce only safe cables, there are also a range of general requirements to be fulfilled. These are explained in the following factsheets and need to be read in conjunction with this factsheet:

• CE marking
• Conformity assessment
• Declaration of conformity
• EU consumer protection
• EU market surveillance
• Product safety checklist
• Recall procedures
• Risk management
• Safety Gate/RAPEX
• Selling online
• Technical file
• Testing
• Using a third party