We have summarized all of the important information for the safe, standard-compliant usage of WAGO products.
Splicing connectors fall within the application scope of the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU.
DIN VDE 0100-520 for electric cable and wiring systems in buildings clearly specifies that, in the construction of these systems, only connectors meeting the applicable European standards and the German product standards derived from them are permitted for connecting conductors. DIN EN 60998 (VDE 0613) is cited for splicing connectors and DIN EN 60947 (VDE 0611) for rail-mount terminal blocks. In the worst case, the party constructing such systems must verify that the products used satisfy these standards. Therefore, WAGO submits all its connectors to independent testing agencies in accordance with these standards to ensure maximum product safety for electrical system constructors. The approval marks that have been granted are affixed to the packaging and products. WAGO also provides the certificates upon request.
Tested and Approved
WAGO’s installation connectors are used by electrical system installers around the world. Approval according to the applicable standards is a requirement for international use. For this reason, WAGO’s installation connectors and their packaging carry national and international approval marks, as well as further information specific to the application domain. This lets users know that, with WAGO’s installation connectors, the material they work with is standard-compliant.
In Europe, WAGO certifies its installation connectors according to the ENEC process to ensure that the European standard EN 60998 is met and that the connectors conform to all procedures for obtaining the VDE mark.
With this single test, WAGO products are granted approval covering all of Europe. This approval is indicated by the ENEC approval mark. An identification number representing the certification agency is listed after the approval mark. Technical specifications regarding nominal current and voltage, as well as the conductor type and cross-section that can be used, are also affixed. Information about the conductor types is given in English. WAGO installation connectors labeled with an “r” (rigid) can connect solid or stranded conductors. WAGO installation connectors labeled with an “s” (solid) connect solid conductors. WAGO installation connectors labeled with “str” (stranded) connect stranded conductors. WAGO installation connectors labeled with an “f” (flexible) connect fine-stranded conductors.
WAGO installation connectors that were certified before the ENEC test have national approval marks such as the VDE approval mark, the KEMA KEUR approval mark (Netherlands) or the DEMKO approval mark (Denmark). These approval marks are also followed by technical specifications. Usually only one conductor cross-section is indicated, not a cross-section range. WAGO installation connectors can connect at least the next two conductor cross-sections smaller than this stated cross-section in accordance with EN 60998.
In addition to the European approvals, WAGO’s installation connectors are also certified for the North American market, specifically from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for the US and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for Canada. In the past, these two certification agencies jointly introduced the “cULus” mark. In accordance with this standard’s requirements, information about the application area is indicated after the mark.
Unlike Europe, North America uses the American Wire Gauge system (AWG) instead of the metric system (mm²) to specify the conductor cross-section.
WAGO’s installation connectors are also used by electrical installers in Japan. Therefore, the connectors also fulfill the requirements of the Product Safety Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (PSE standard). This certification is issued by Japan Electrical Testing Laboratories (JET). Here too, information about standards compliance and permissible conductor diameters is presented. In Japan, the conductor diameter is used instead of the cross-section. Because WAGO’s installation connectors are optimized for installation size, the approval marks and corresponding information cannot always be presented sequentially.
Local operating conditions vary as widely as the actual applications themselves do. Surrounding air temperature is a very important operating parameter, since it places special requirements on the heating characteristics of the installation material.
