VDE 0100: Overview of the Most Important Parts of the Low-Voltage Standard
VDE 0100 is the central standard for low-voltage electrical installations in Germany. It governs everything from installation to inspection — and is indispensable in daily work. This overview shows which part governs what.
How VDE 0100 is structured
The standard is divided into main sections: general requirements, protective measures, selection of equipment, installation, and special-purpose rooms.
VDE 0100-100 to -200
Scope, definitions, fundamental terms.
VDE 0100-410 to -460
Protective measures: against electric shock, overcurrent, overvoltage, thermal effects.
VDE 0100-510 to -560
Selection and installation of equipment: cables, switchgear, earthing.
VDE 0100-600
Verification of the electrical installation before commissioning.
VDE 0100-700s
Special-purpose rooms: bath, swimming pool, sauna, construction site, agriculture, PV systems.
The most important parts in daily practice
These parts come up in almost every project.
| Part | Topic | What it's used for |
|---|---|---|
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p410.part | Protection against electric shock | RCD requirements, protective conductor system, protection classes |
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p443.part | Protection against overvoltage | Surge protection (type 1/2/3) — often mandatory since 2018 |
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p540.part | Earthing and protective conductors | Foundation earth electrode, equipotential bonding |
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p600.part | Verification | Initial verification, test report, repeat testing |
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p701.part | Rooms with bathtub or shower | Protection zones in bath, IP requirements |
| blog.vde0100Overview.important.p722.part | Supply of electric vehicles | Wallbox installation, RCD type B |
Daily application
Residential
Classic standard parts: -410, -443, -540, -600, -701. With wallbox additionally -722.
Commercial
Plus -729 (LV supply), often also -710 (medical locations).
Outdoors
-714 (outdoor lighting), IP44+ protection class, 30 mA RCD mandatory.
PV and storage
-712 (photovoltaics), DC-side protection, disconnect points, fire protection.
Common violations in practice
RCD in bath missing or too large
In the bath, a 30 mA RCD is mandatory for all circuits — no RCD or a 300 mA type is a clear violation of -701.
Initial verification not documented
Per VDE 0100-600, every installation must be tested and documented before commissioning. Without a report, no E-check.
Surge protection missing
Since October 2018, surge protection per VDE 0100-443 is generally mandatory in new buildings.
Conclusion: VDE 0100 isn't a book — it's a tool
VDE 0100 looks intimidating but is manageable in daily work if you know the top ten parts. Regular use builds confidence in planning and inspection.
💡 Tip: Keep a short overview of the most important parts in your toolbox — saves looking things up on site.
Plan with standards confidence
myElectricPlan considers VDE 0100 automatically: protective devices, cross-sections and test requirements are validated directly in the plan.
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