DGUV-V3-compliant infrastructure in the control room obligation, potential and practice

In an increasingly networked and highly dynamic world, safety-critical infrastructures are the backbone of our society. Whether in public safety control centres, network control centres of energy suppliers, traffic control centres, industrial process controls or security centres - wherever work is carried out 24/7, a stable, standard-compliant and safe power supply is not a convenience feature, but a legal and operational necessity.

DGUV Regulation 3 ensures that electrical equipment and systems are inspected regularly - with the aim of protecting employees and preventing breakdowns. However, what is clearly regulated on paper often poses challenges for companies in practice.

In control rooms, inspectors are increasingly focussing on the workstations themselves - not just control cabinets or sub-distribution boards. Inspection obligations also apply where power supplies are cleverly integrated - for example in technology modules, monitor arms, 19" racks or table consoles:

• Power supply units in technology modules

• Permanently installed socket strips

• under-desk power feeds

• Extendable power distribution units with surge protection

• Earthing concepts within the workstation system

A defective power supply unit or a poorly earthed plug connection can not only be expensive, but also life-threatening - especially in environments where every second counts.

Many companies underestimate the organisational and technical effort involved in DGUV V3 testing:

🛠️ Overview of challenges:

• Access to components that are difficult to reach

• Equipment downtime during the test

• Complex documentation and verification

• Costs due to external testing service providers

• Risks due to improper handling

A common dilemma: In order to test, it is necessary to switch off - but this is often almost impossible to realise in 24/7 operation.

As a specialist in high-quality control room solutions, we know that safety starts with the details.

Our workstation systems and power supply concepts are designed in such a way that:

✅ all test-relevant components are easily accessible - for example through service flaps on the rear of the table modules
✅ the cabling is systematically integrated and easy to maintain - no loose cables, no cable clutter
✅ testing is efficient - thanks to our solution for continuous residual current monitoring: Knürr CEC

The Knürr CEC module detects residual currents at an early stage, reports them digitally and thus reduces the need for individual tests.

This saves time. It saves money. And it creates more safety - during operation.

DGUV Regulation 3 stipulates that all electrical equipment - from sockets to lights - must be tested regularly. The test intervals and contents depend on the place of use, frequency of use and hazard potential.

If these tests are not carried out or not carried out properly, the company is liable - even criminally in an emergency.

The infrastructure should therefore be designed from the outset to carry out inspections efficiently, comprehensibly and safely.

Safety must not be a compromise.

The combination of legal responsibility and day-to-day operations requires solutions that not only fulfil standards, but also simplify practice.

With Knürr, you have a partner who integrates technology, design and understanding of standards into modern control room solutions - including DGUV-V3 conformity.