What is VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik)?
What is VDE? VDE stands for Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V., the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies. Founded in 1893, VDE is active in areas including electrotechnical standardization, testing and certification, research, technical publications, professional education and technology development.
In industrial automation, the VDE name is commonly encountered in connection with electrical safety, low-voltage equipment, EMC, machinery, control equipment, cables, power systems and product certification. However, the terms VDE, DIN and DKE should not be treated as if they describe exactly the same organization or function.
What Is the Relationship Between VDE, DKE and DIN?
Electrotechnical standardization in Germany is coordinated through DKE – German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE. DKE is a joint organization of DIN and VDE, while VDE is responsible for its day-to-day operations.
DKE represents German electrotechnical interests at European and international level, particularly within IEC and CENELEC. The standards produced through this system become part of the German body of standards and may also appear within the VDE Specifications Code where electrotechnical safety requirements are involved.
This is why an industrial product manual may contain references such as IEC, EN, DIN and VDE within the same standard designation. These references do not necessarily indicate four completely different technical requirements. They may represent international, European and German national adoption or classification of the same underlying technical standard.
What Does DIN VDE Mean?
DIN VDE is commonly seen in German electrotechnical standards and technical documentation. Depending on the publication, an international IEC standard may first be adopted as a European EN standard and then published nationally in Germany as a DIN EN IEC standard with an associated VDE classification.
For example, the current German publication of IEC 60947-1 appears as DIN EN IEC 60947-1:2022-03 / VDE 0660-100:2022-03. IEC 60947-1 deals with general rules for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear. Related industrial automation topics can be explored in our IEC 60947 guide.
The existence of several prefixes is therefore important when reading datasheets. An IEC designation identifies the international standard, while EN and DIN references can indicate its European and German national adoption. The VDE number provides the electrotechnical classification used within the German system.
Where Are VDE Standards Used in Industrial Automation?
DIN VDE and related electrotechnical standards may appear in the documentation of contactors, circuit breakers, relays, power supplies, motors, cables, terminal equipment, control devices and other components used in industrial automation.
A VDE-related reference on a device does not simply mean that the product is “German” or suitable for every application. The important questions are which standard applies, which edition was used, what product type was evaluated and whether the reference represents design compliance or an actual certification.
Product standards also need to be distinguished from requirements applying to a complete machine or control panel. A contactor may comply with its own product standard, while the finished machine may also need to satisfy requirements concerning electrical equipment, emergency stopping, safety-related control systems and risk reduction. See our machinery safety standards section for these system-level subjects.
What Is VDE Testing and Certification?
Separate from the standardization work coordinated through DKE, the VDE Testing and Certification Institute performs testing, inspection and certification of electrical and electronic products, components and systems.
Depending on the certification programme, products may be evaluated against VDE, EN, IEC or other relevant technical specifications and legal requirements. Certification can involve product testing, inspection of manufacturing facilities and ongoing production surveillance.
Successful certification can allow a manufacturer to use the appropriate VDE certification mark on products that conform to the certified design and approval conditions.
What Does the VDE Mark Mean?
The VDE Mark indicates that a product has been assessed under a VDE Institute certification programme against the requirements specified for that certification. It should therefore be interpreted together with the product certificate and its technical scope.
A VDE Mark does not mean that a product complies with every electrical standard worldwide or that it is automatically suitable for every installation. The exact product, model, certification basis and applicable technical requirements must still be checked.
Is the VDE Mark the Same as CE Marking?
No. The VDE certification mark and CE marking belong to different conformity systems. CE marking relates to compliance with applicable European Union legislation and is normally affixed by the manufacturer following the required conformity assessment process.
A VDE certification mark, by contrast, results from a defined third-party testing and certification programme carried out by the VDE Institute. A product can therefore carry CE marking without having VDE certification, and obtaining VDE certification does not remove other legal obligations that may apply to the product.
Country-specific conformity systems and approval marks are covered in our global standards and conformity systems section.
Are VDE Standards Mandatory?
A technical standard does not automatically become a legal requirement simply because it has been published. Whether a particular DIN, VDE, EN or IEC standard must be applied depends on the product, legislation, contractual requirements, customer specifications and the conformity route being used.
Nevertheless, electrotechnical standards can represent important recognised technical practice, especially in safety-related work. Saying that a standard is voluntary therefore does not mean that designers, machine builders or manufacturers can ignore applicable safety obligations.
VDE References on Older Industrial Equipment
Older PLCs, drives, contactors, power supplies and control devices often carry DIN VDE numbers that were current when the product was manufactured. Those references should be interpreted in their historical context.
Standards may later be revised, corrected, replaced or withdrawn. For example, older editions of IEC 60947-1 have been replaced by newer DIN EN IEC publications. An old catalogue reference should therefore not automatically be copied into a new machine specification without checking the current edition.
How Can a VDE Certification Be Checked?
When a product carries a VDE mark, the safest approach is to verify more than the logo itself. The manufacturer, model number, certificate or approval number and certification scope should be compared with the relevant certification record.
This is particularly useful when evaluating older or second-hand industrial equipment, where a product label may belong to a model family with several variants or where the original certification may have been issued under an earlier edition of a standard.
Why Is VDE Relevant to Industrial Automation?
Modern automation systems combine PLCs, sensors, drives, relays, contactors, motors, power supplies and control-panel components. These devices must not only perform their intended function but also meet the relevant electrical, environmental and safety requirements for the application.
VDE and DIN VDE references are therefore frequently encountered in German and European industrial documentation. The important point is not simply to search for the letters “VDE”, but to determine which technical standard, which edition and which certification or conformity claim actually applies.
For a wider view, compare the German electrotechnical system with international IEC standards, European EN standards and equipment-specific device standards.
Important: “VDE approved,” “complies with a VDE standard” and “designed according to a DIN VDE standard” are not necessarily equivalent claims. Where actual certification matters, the current certificate and its product scope should be verified.
Related Standards and Automation Guides
Industrial Standards • IEC Standards • EN Standards • Global Standards • Device Standards
Industrial Automation • What Is Automation? • PLC & HMI • Machinery Safety