Small voltage range of DC drives

In the Verordnung über elektrische Niederspannungs-Erzeugnisse (ordinance of electric low-voltage products) the low voltage range is defined as:

• AC voltage: 50 to 1000 VAC
• DC voltage: 75 to 1500 VDC
• below lies the small voltage range
• above the high voltage range

In the low voltage regime

• there is a mandatory proof that electrical testing has been performed
• as a rule the test report must be issued from an accredited organisation
• as a rule the product testing is application specific (e.g. as fan motor)

In the small voltage range on the contrary, no accredited testing is needed. The testing found necessary and executed by the manufacturer is sufficient.

Therefore, maxon products are only specified up to 50 VDC nominal voltage, thus lying in the small voltage range. No application specific testing has to be done, which could not be practicised because of the a priory unknown application of our motors.

Please refer also to the term protection low voltage: "Protection low voltage is a protection measure, with which it is possible to operate current circuits without safety earthing at nominal voltages up to 50 VAC or 120 VDC, respectively. The supply from electrical circuits of higher voltages must be separated galvanically." (Translated from, VDE 0100 part 200, chapter 11.9) Depending on the context, other voltages are found to be called low voltages (e.g.. 42VDC, or 50VDC no-load voltage).