Electrical Safety Testing
Meet mandatory electrical safety requirements worldwide
Electrical and electronic products and devices are essential to almost every aspect of daily life. These products help to make us more efficient and productive at work, and provide us with entertainment when we’re at home. However, electrical products can also expose users to risk of electrical shock, whether as a result of poor design, inadequate maintenance or unintended use. Indeed, electrical shock related to the use of electrical and electronic products is the cause of hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries worldwide each year.
What is electrical safety testing?
Testing electrical and electronic products for electrical safety is intended to identify the potential risk of electrical shock to users. Evaluating a product for electrical safety usually includes the following tests:
- High voltage test (dielectric withstand test) - measures the ability of an electrical product to withstand a high voltage applied between a product’s electrical circuit and ground.
- Leakage current test - evaluates whether current that flows between an AC source and ground does not exceed a specified limit.
- Insulation resistance test - calibrates the quality of the electrical insulation used.
- Ground continuity test - ensures that a clear path is available between all exposed metal surfaces and the power system ground.
In addition to pre-market testing and certification, manufacturers of electrical and electronic products must also conduct production line testing. Depending on certification requirements, production line testing may include some or all of the tests required for certification.
Why is electrical safety testing important?
In addition to achieving compliance with the relevant directives, regulations and standards, full or partial testing of electrical and electronic products and devices enables manufacturers to meet customer requirements. Electrical safety is mandatory for legal access to every major country in the world. It can help prevent unsafe products from reaching the market, reducing the number of deaths and injuries, as well as costly product recalls and potential litigation. Manufacturers whose products that have been tested and certified to applicable electrical safety standards send a clear signal to buyers and the general public of their commitment to user safety.
TÜV SÜD can conduct electrical safety testing in our fully accredited laboratories located around the world. Our engineers are able to test a variety of electrical and electronic equipment and products, including information technology and telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, and industrial, commercial and laboratory equipment.
In addition to our laboratory testing capabilities, TÜV SÜD engineers can also perform testing at your facility (also known as Testing at Manufacturer’s Premises, or TMP). Our TMP services enable us to schedule testing on short notice, and to complete most testing in just a few days. This provides manufacturers with an opportunity to obtain certification in the shortest possible time.
Whether conducted in our laboratories or at your site, our electrical safety testing is covered by our internationally accepted IECEE CB Scheme accreditation, based on our compliance with ISO 17025. TÜV SÜD is also a Notified Body under applicable directives of the European Union.
TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner to companies ranging from global manufacturers to regional and local research and development firms. Our team of specialists works with you through the entire product development cycle to add value and help you to deliver safe and reliable products. TÜV SÜD technical professionals are actively involved in international advisory boards and standards development activities, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of current and changing requirements.
Represented in over 800 locations worldwide, TÜV SÜD has an unsurpassed track record of meeting and exceeding the requirements and expectations of our client companies. The TÜV SÜD brand and our distinctive blue octagon mark are instantly recognised around the globe as symbols of quality and safety, and will increase customer confidence in your brand.
What is electrical safety testing?
Testing electrical and electronic products for electrical safety is intended to identify the potential risk of electrical shock to users. Evaluating a product for electrical safety usually includes the following tests:
- High voltage test (dielectric withstand test) - measures the ability of an electrical product to withstand a high voltage applied between a product’s electrical circuit and ground.
- Leakage current test - evaluates whether current that flows between an AC source and ground does not exceed a specified limit.
- Insulation resistance test - calibrates the quality of the electrical insulation used.
- Ground continuity test - ensures that a clear path is available between all exposed metal surfaces and the power system ground.
In addition to pre-market testing and certification, manufacturers of electrical and electronic products must also conduct production line testing. Depending on certification requirements, production line testing may include some or all of the tests required for certification.
Why is electrical safety testing important?
In addition to achieving compliance with the relevant directives, regulations and standards, full or partial testing of electrical and electronic products and devices enables manufacturers to meet customer requirements. Electrical safety is mandatory for legal access to every major country in the world. It can help prevent unsafe products from reaching the market, reducing the number of deaths and injuries, as well as costly product recalls and potential litigation. Manufacturers whose products that have been tested and certified to applicable electrical safety standards send a clear signal to buyers and the general public of their commitment to user safety.
TÜV SÜD can conduct electrical safety testing in our fully accredited laboratories located around the world. Our engineers are able to test a variety of electrical and electronic equipment and products, including information technology and telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, and industrial, commercial and laboratory equipment.
In addition to our laboratory testing capabilities, TÜV SÜD engineers can also perform testing at your facility (also known as Testing at Manufacturer’s Premises, or TMP). Our TMP services enable us to schedule testing on short notice, and to complete most testing in just a few days. This provides manufacturers with an opportunity to obtain certification in the shortest possible time.
Whether conducted in our laboratories or at your site, our electrical safety testing is covered by our internationally accepted IECEE CB Scheme accreditation, based on our compliance with ISO 17025. TÜV SÜD is also a Notified Body under applicable directives of the European Union.
TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner to companies ranging from global manufacturers to regional and local research and development firms. Our team of specialists works with you through the entire product development cycle to add value and help you to deliver safe and reliable products. TÜV SÜD technical professionals are actively involved in international advisory boards and standards development activities, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of current and changing requirements.
Represented in over 800 locations worldwide, TÜV SÜD has an unsurpassed track record of meeting and exceeding the requirements and expectations of our client companies. The TÜV SÜD brand and our distinctive blue octagon mark are instantly recognised around the globe as symbols of quality and safety, and will increase customer confidence in your brand.
Your benefits at a glance
- Save time and money - by identifying compliance considerations at the earliest possible stages of the product development process.
- Minimise risks - by avoiding supply chain problems that can result in product recalls and reputational harm.
- Gain a competitive edge - by delivering products of consistent quality and safety, without compromising time to market.
- Benefit from complete solutions - by utilising our full range of testing, certification and auditing services.
- Achieve global support - by leveraging TÜV SÜD’s worldwide expertise in regulations and requirements, regardless of where your products are manufactured or sold.