protective extra low voltage (PELV)

According to VDE 0100,extra-low voltages are defined as voltage values of >50 V AC and 120 V DC. Such voltage values are not life-threatening when touched by adults.

However, there are exceptions to these specifications which, for example, relate to damp rooms and comprise half of the specified values.

A distinction is therefore made between safety extra-low voltages, protective extra-low voltages and functional extra-low voltages. As for the safety extra-low voltages, Protective Extra Low Voltage (PELV), this is also called extra- low voltage with safe disconnection and provides protection against electric shock just like the functional extra-low voltage. In this protection class, grounded and ungrounded circuits are permitted. Enclosures can be grounded or connected to a protective earth conductor.