CE Shielded motor leads 1

[brihaynes]

Do I have to use a shielded motor leads if I run the motor leads in EMI/RFI rated conduit/sealtite. I have no real CE experience so any info in CE motor/VFD shielding would be helpful.

 

[luktek]

Are you shipping a machine to Europe?

There are three separate issues with CE, the Machine Directive, Low-Voltage Directive, and EMC Directive. Of the three, the Machine Directive is the most complex and is mainly mechanical in nature.

The Low Voltage Directive is fairly straight forward. If you are using approved components and following instructions you will be okay.

The EMC Directive is more ethereal. There is no mandatory test for either the LVD or EMCD. Basically if somebody complains that they are being disturbed, the authorities come in to take a look at the situation.

The CE mark itself, is the manufacturer's way of declaring that they are in conformance with all of these directives. Basically, if they are comfortable with putting it on, they can.

There is no way of separating the various directives for a given component; if the CE mark is applied then the assumption is made that the component fulfills all relevant directives.

 

[brihaynes]

Yes we are starting to sale more in Europe and they are wanting everything CE. But the directives are not clear what we have to do to mark equipment CE.

 

[ozmosis]

brihaynes
If you are selling VFD's into Europe then, as luktek points out, you need the CE mark applied. However, this would include the EMC Directive, your VFD will need to have been tested under the standard EN61800-3. This is the product specific standard for adjustable speed drive systems.
The manufacturer of the VFD should have tested their product as part of a drive system. This means, a VFD on it's own (i.e. not connected to a motor) is simply a component of the drive system, and therefore cannot be CE marked to comply with the EMC Directive. The way in which it does comply is by following the installation guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
The guidelines the manufacturer will provide in their documentation will basically mirror the testing methods they carried out to ensure they complied.
For example:
If you are required to meet the classification of C2, then this is a level required for emitted (conducted and radiated) and immunity. It states in the standard a level of conducted emissions and the manufacturer will therefore include some level of EMI filter to suppress conducted emissions. However, they will also include a maximum motor cable length that the manufacturer has tested to ensure compliance. This cable will probably be screened cable during the testing so if they recommend this, you also need to fit this to ensure compliance.

If a manufacturer puts in their documentation:
"to meet C2 classification level the maximum cable length is 25M and you must use screened cable..."
and you require 50M of cable length, and decide not to use screened cable, then whoever makes that decision is breaking the law according to the EMC Directive.

So, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to test and document the method of creating a "Power Drive System" (VFD, Cable and Motor) that meets all the various classifications under EN61800-3.
It is the responsibility of the end user to ensure the design is right for the environment the VFD drive system will go into.
It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure the recommendations of the manufacture are followed.
If either one fails to do this, they are breaking the law.