Luminaires should not only look good and provide good light, they must also be safe. Safety is guaranteed by compliance with a variety of regulations and standards. Luminaires from OSRAM meet all relevant national and international regulations.
Each luminaire is insulated so that any exposed metal parts do not carry electrical current. Parts that carry current during normal operation must be protected against contact either by insulation or a suitable cover. Additional measures are taken to prevent exposed metal parts carrying current even if an insulation fault occurs. The table on the right contains the three protection classes used in Germany.
Unless otherwise indicated on the rating plate, luminaires comply with protection class I.
| Protection class | Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Luminaires with a terminal for a protective conductor to which all metal parts that could carry current in the event of a fault must be connected. | Connection to a protective earth conductor absolutely essential. The symbol is displayed on the terminal. | |
| II | In luminaires with this symbol there must be no exposed metal parts that could carry current in the event of a fault (total insulation or double insulation). | The luminaire does not have to have a protective conductor terminal and does not have to be connected to a protective earth conductor. | |
| III | Luminaires to be operated with safety extra-low voltage (SELV), i.e. voltages under 50 V generated with a safety transformer to VDE 0551 or supplied by batteries (standard or rechargeable). |
