Toward alignment of safety levels concerning electrical installations in the EU

The European Standard EN 50110-1 "Operation of Electrical Installations" is applicable to all operation of and work activity on, with, or near electrical installations. In Europe, there are many national laws, standards and internal rules dealing with the matters coming within the scope of this standard, and these practices have been taken as a basis for this standard. The standard is believed to be a first decisive step to the gradual alignment in Europe of the safety levels associated with electrical installations. This article acknowledges the present different national requirements for safety, summarizes Standard EN 50110-1's definitions and terms, and compares these definitions and terms with those adopted in the IEEE Standard 902.