Extra-low voltage is an electricity supply voltage in a range which carries a low risk of dangerous electrical shock. There are various standards that define extra-low voltage. The International Electrotechnical Commission member organizations and the UK IET define an ELV device or circuit as one in which the electrical potential between conductor or electrical conductor and earthdoes not exceed 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c.. The IEC and IET go on to define actual types of extra-low voltage systems, for example SELV, PELV, FELV. These can be supplied using sources including motor / fossil fuel generator sets, transformers, switched PSU's or rechargeable battery. SELV, PELV, FELV, are distinguished by various safety properties, supply characteristics and design voltages. Some types of landscape lighting use SELV / PELV systems. Modern battery operated hand tools fall in the SELV category. In more arduous conditions 25 volts RMSalternating current / 60 volts direct current can be specified to further reduce hazard. Lower voltage can apply in wet or conductive conditions where there is even greater potential for electric shock. These systems should still fall under the SELV / PELV safety specifications.
Types
Separated or safety extra-low voltage (SELV)
IEC defines a SELV system as "an electrical system in which the voltage cannot exceed ELV under normal conditions, and under single-fault conditions, including earth faults in other circuits". It is generally accepted that the acronym: SELV stands for separated extra-low voltage as defined in installation standards, though BS EN 60335 refers to it as safety extra-low voltage. A SELV circuit must have:
Electrical protective-separation from all circuits other than SELV and PELV
Simple separation from other SELV systems, from PELV systems and from earth
The safety of a SELV circuit is provided by
The extra-low voltage
The low risk of accidental contact with a higher voltage
The lack of a return path through earth that electric current could take in case of contact with a human body
The design of a SELV circuit typically involves an isolating transformer, guaranteed minimum distances between conductors and electrical insulation barriers. The electrical connectors of SELV circuits should be designed such that they do not mate with connectors commonly used for non-SELV circuits. Typical examples for a SELV circuit: decorative out-door lighting, Class IIIbattery charger, fed from a Class II power supply. Modern cordless hand tools are considered SELV equipment.
Protected extra-low voltage (PELV)
IEC 61140 defines a PELV system as "an electrical system in which the voltage cannot exceed ELV under normal conditions, and under single-fault conditions, except earth faults in other circuits". A PELV circuit only requires protective-separation from all circuits other than SELV and PELV, but it may have connections to other PELV systems and earth. In contrast to a SELV circuit, a PELV circuit can have a protective earth connection. A PELV circuit, just as with SELV, requires a design that guarantees a low risk of accidental contact with a higher voltage. For a transformer, this can mean that the primary and secondary windings must be separated by reinforced insulation, or by a conductive shield with a protective earth connection, or that the secondary winding itself has an earthed terminal, so that any primary to secondary fault will cause automatic disconnection. A typical example for a PELV circuit is a metal cased computer with a Class I power supply.
Functional extra-low voltage (FELV)
The term functional extra-low voltage describes any other extra-low-voltage circuit that does not fulfill the requirements for an SELV or PELV circuit. Although the FELV part of a circuit uses an extra-low voltage, it is not adequately protected from accidental contact with higher voltages in other parts of the circuit. Therefore the protection requirements for the higher voltage have to be applied to the entire circuit. Examples for FELV circuits include those that generate an extra low voltage through a semiconductor device or a potentiometer or an autotransformer. A typical example is an electronically controlled toaster where the electronic timer circuit runs off an extra low voltage derived from a tap on the heating element. Another might be ELV signalling between mains powered smoke alarms, with the signalling voltage referred to supply neutral. In such cases the extra low voltage parts must be enclosed or insulated as to the standard of the mains voltage.
The IET / BSI also define Reduced low voltage which can be either single phase or three phase A.C. This system has been used for many years on construction sites. Both single and three phase. The single phase voltage is 110 V a.c. though having a "centre tapped Earth" reducing the voltage to Earth to 55 V a.c. The three phase is 110 V phase to phase, 63 V to Neutral / Earth. This system voltage is slightly above the ELV limit but still very commonly used for cord powered hand tools and temporary lighting in hazardous areas. As it is transformer derived, the exposed voltage during an earth fault is depressed below the ELV level.
Cabling for extra-low voltage systems, such as in remote-area power systems, is designed to minimise energy losses while maximising safety. Lower voltages require a higher current for the same power. The higher current results in greater resistive losses in the cabling. Cable sizing must therefore consider maximum demand, voltage drop over the cable, and current-carrying capacity. Voltage drop is usually the main factor considered, but current-carrying capacity is as important when considering short, high-current runs such as between a battery bank and inverter. Arcing is a risk in DC ELV systems, and some fuse types which can cause undesired arcing include semi-enclosed, rewireable and automotive fuse types. Instead high rupturing capacity fuses and appropriately rated circuit breakers are the recommended type for RAPS. Cable termination and connections must be done properly to avoid arcing also, and soldering is not recommended.
Regulations
Precise definitions of "extra low voltage" are given in applicable wiring regulations in a region.
EU
European Union directives and standards do not define extra-low voltage. The nearest they get to this concept is in the Low Voltage Directive, which applies to the range between 50 V AC / 75 V DC and 1,000 V AC / 1,500 V DC. The directive only covers electrical equipment and not voltages appearing inside equipment or voltages in electrical components.
IEC
defines ELV as 50 V AC and 120 V DC.
Australia and New Zealand
AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules define "extra low voltage" as "Not exceeding 50 V a.c or 120 V ripple-free d.c." However, AS/ACIF S009 Clause 3.1.78.1 Extra-Low Voltage states: "a voltage not exceeding 42.4 V peak or 60 V d.c." and adds a note: "This definition differs from the ELV definition contained in AS/NZS 3000:2000" which is more closely aligned to the Telecommunications Network Voltage limits ... i.e. 120 V d.c. or 70.7 V a.c. peak " which accommodates telephone ringing voltage on the nominally −48 Vdc battery supply which could be encountered on a telephone line and was not considered hazardous, whereas 120 Vac without current limiting at its source can inject 115mA into individuals leading to fibrillation of the heart.
Brazil
In Brazil, ELV is officially defined in Regulatory Standard no. 10 from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment as any voltage "not exceeding 50 volts a.c. or 120 volts d.c.". Although that standard defines safety rules for electricity, the Regulatory Standard no. 12 requires an even lower voltage for start and stop devices on machines and equipment made from March 2012 and on, stating it shall not exceed 25 volts a.c. or 60 volts d.c.
