Operation of electrical installations – Part 1: General requirements

Electrical systems are required for the generation, transmission, conversion, distribution, and application of electrical energy. Some are installed in fixed locations, such as in a factory, while others are installed temporarily, such as on construction sites.

This standard also covers mobile equipment that can be either live or de-energized. For example, this could include electrically powered excavators in quarries.

There are various national laws, standards, and internal regulations for issues that fall within the scope of EN 50110 and serve as the basis for the development of this standard. EN 50110 consists of two parts. Part 1 of the series essentially describes international requirements, while Part 2 describes national requirements.

This standard describes regulations for the safe operation of and work on electrical installations. The requirements apply to all operating, working, and maintenance procedures. They also apply to all non-electrical work, such as construction work near overhead lines or cables, as well as to electrical work where an electrical hazard exists.

The content of the standards described here has not been developed for the electrical systems listed below. If no other regulations or procedures are available, DIN EN 50110-1 (VDE 0105-1) can be applied for:

• Installations in aircraft or hovercraft;

• Installations on ocean-going vessels;

• electronic communication and information systems;

• electronic control, regulation and automation systems;

• Mining facilities;

• Installations on offshore facilities;

• Systems in vehicles;

• electric railway systems;

• electrical engineering experimental work in research.

Before any operation or work on an electrical system, an electrical risk assessment must be conducted. This assessment determines how the operation or work process must be carried out and, if necessary, what appropriate safety measures must be taken.