The VDE is working on a new edition of the application rule VDE-AR-N 4100, which is expected to come into force in 2026. Hager is among the first manufacturers to prepare their product lines now for the changed requirements. The standard regulates technical requirements for connection to the low-voltage network and thus has a direct impact on the planning and execution of electrical installations.
The VDE-AR-N 4100:2026 replaces the currently valid version from 2019. The most important changes include stricter requirements for grid connections, particularly with regard to the integration of decentralized generation plants and charging infrastructure. Manufacturers must adapt their products accordingly to ensure compliance.
According to its own statements, Hager has already initiated product adjustments. The components affected are mainly those for house connections, meter cabinets and distribution systems. The Hager Group is pursuing early standards compliance to provide electrical installers with planning security. The company has not yet disclosed which specific product lines will be adapted.
For electrical installers, the new standard means an adjustment when planning new systems from 2026 onwards. The updated requirements must be observed, especially in projects involving photovoltaic systems, battery storage or wallboxes. The standard is intended to ensure that the increasing number of decentralized feed-in systems does not lead to overloading of local network sections.
The electrical industry is watching the standard change closely. In addition to Hager, other manufacturers are likely to announce their product strategies in the coming months. The Hager Group recently opened a new testing laboratory where standards compliance is also tested.
It remains unclear whether VDE-AR-N 4100:2026 can already be used as a planning basis before its official implementation. Typically, the VDE publishes drafts for comment before the final version is released. For electrical contractors, it is advisable to monitor the standardization work in order to respond in time to changed requirements.
