Low voltage. Exterior lighting

Since 1881, the year in which the first electric street light was installed in Spain, and after the entry into force of the Low Voltage Directive in 2003, exterior lighting – that found in roadways, circulation areas and spaces between buildings that, due to their characteristics, should remain illuminated permanently or circumstantially, whether or not in the public domain such as parks, roads, etc. –, must undergo a series of inspections for their legalisation.

The initial inspection is mandatory when the power is greater than 5kW, and it is valid for 5 years.

Periodic inspections will be carried out on outdoor lighting installations that have been subject to an initial inspection, since their power is greater than 5kW, and they should be carried out every 5 years.

Any installation prior to the date of entry into force of the Low Voltage Directive must also comply with the terms and validity of the inspection, but it will be performed in accordance with the regulation under which it was approved.

As a complement to low voltage inspections, energy efficiency inspections are carried out in outdoor lighting installations with more than 1 kW of installed power. These inspections may coincide with the initial or periodic inspections defined above. 

Applicable regulation

• Royal Decree 842/2002    
• ITC-BT-05    
• ITC-BT-09    
• ITC-BT-44    
• Royal Decree 1890/2008