China Circuit Breakers for Equipment (CBE) standard, GB/T 17701-2023, was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on September 7, 2023, replacing the previous standard GB/T 17701-2008. The updated standard GB/T 17701-2023 came into effect from April 1, 2024.
The GB/T 17701-2023 standard applies to mechanical switchgear for household and similar applications, specifically designed as “equipment circuit breakers” (CBEs). These CBEs are intended to protect the wiring inside electrical equipment, including its components such as motors, transformers, and internal wiring. The standard also applies to equipment circuit breakers that protect electrical equipment in the event of undervoltage and/or overvoltage and covers circuit breakers for isolated devices. See below for the type of products affected by this new standard.
Key characteristics of equipment circuit breakers covered by this standard include:
- Rated voltage not exceeding 440V AC (phase-to-phase) and/or 250V DC.
- Rated current not exceeding 125 A.
- Rated short-circuit capability of at least 6In (AC) and 4In (DC), but not exceeding 3000 A.
Applications and Limitations:
- This standard applies to CBEs used within electrical equipment, ensuring the protection of internal components from electrical faults.
- It does not apply to overcurrent protection of building wiring installations.
Special Conditions:
- The standard includes guidelines for the coordination between circuit breakers for equipment and short-circuit protection devices (SCPDs) connected to the same electrical circuit.
- CBEs intended for use in harsh environmental conditions or hazardous locations may require special structures to meet higher protection classes.
In summary, the GB/T 17701-2023 standard applies to circuit breakers designed to protect the internal wiring and components of electrical equipment, ensuring safety and reliability under normal and fault conditions.
Key Changes and Implementation:
- Inspection Items:
- The new standard (GB/T 17701-2023) includes revised inspection items, which are detailed in Table 1 of the document. The test procedures and the number of test samples are outlined in Appendix C of the new standard.
- Supplementary Inspection Items:
- For products certified under the old standard, supplementary inspections according to Table 2 of the new standard are required to ensure compliance. These include short-circuit tests and verification for IT systems suitability.
- Main Differences Between Standards:
- The new standard specifies that CBEs are not suitable for overcurrent protection of building wiring installations.
- New requirements for marking, mechanical design, reliability, dielectric properties, and more have been added or refined.
- Certain notes and definitions have been updated for clarity and compliance.
- Testing and Certification:
- Specific test circuits for overcurrent and short-circuit testing are detailed in the revised figures and tables.
- The new standard includes additional requirements for electrical performance and isolation suitability of Type E equipment circuit breakers.
- Test Report Requirements:
- The format and content of type test reports must reflect the new standard. Any changes in technical parameters must be clearly indicated.
- Previous test results that meet the new standard can be included in the updated test reports.
- Conversion and Endorsement of Certification Body (CB) Reports:
- CB reports can be converted, with the validity of accreditation typically limited to three years.
- Specific guidelines are provided for supplementary tests required based on different versions of the IEC standard.
General Principles:
The transition to the new standard involves detailed verification and potentially supplementary testing to ensure all products meet the updated requirements.
Types of products affected (non-exhaustive list)
The GB/T 17701-2023 standard applies to equipment circuit breakers used in various types of electrical equipment. Here are some examples of electrical equipment that would fall under this standard:
- Household Appliances:
- Washing machines
- Refrigerators
- Dishwashers
- Microwaves
- Air conditioners
- Industrial Equipment:
- Electric motors
- Transformers
- Industrial control panels
- Conveyor systems
- Commercial Equipment:
- Commercial ovens and stoves
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Refrigeration units
- Office Equipment:
- Photocopiers
- Printers
- Computer servers and network hardware
- Power Tools:
- Electric drills
- Saws
- Grinders
- Consumer Electronics:
- Televisions
- Audio systems
- Computers
- Medical Equipment:
- Diagnostic machines (e.g., MRI, CT scanners)
- Laboratory equipment
- Patient monitoring systems
- Telecommunication Equipment:
- Routers and switches
- Telecom base stations
These examples illustrate the range of equipment where circuit breakers designed to protect internal wiring and components would be essential. The circuit breakers ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment by preventing electrical faults such as overcurrent, undervoltage, and overvoltage conditions.
Conclusion: Companies should ensure that all equipment circuit breakers comply with the new GB/T 17701-2023 standard by the implementation date. This involves updating inspection and testing procedures, revising certification reports, and understanding the main differences and new requirements introduced by the updated standard.
Additional inspection items
Please refer to the below table for additional inspection items.
Major differences between the 2 standards:
Significant changes between the 2008 and 2023 standards are summarized in in a document published by the Technical Expert Group and can be found in TC06-2024-01. These differences highlight modifications in technical requirements and testing criteria. Here are some examples of these changes:
- Add “5.2.6.1”: Note 2: The manufacturer does not need to specify the CBE’s Inc value. The test items are voluntary.
- Deleted notes in “8.1.5.18”: delete “This type of terminal block is not suitable for rated currents greater than 16A.”
- Change the scope in “9.11.4.1”: the scope for CBE short circuit test is Circuit breakers for isolated equipment or for equipment with a rated short-circuit capacity Icn greater than 6In AC or 4In DC”
Principles for Transition to New Standard:
Acceptance of Certification Body (CB) Reports: CCC reports recognize the test items of the corresponding valid CB report therefore the CCC report can be converted based on the CB report
- If transitioning from IEC 60934:2000/AMD1:2007, all applicable supplemental test requirements must be completed.
- No supplemental items are needed for transitions from IEC 60934:2000/AMD2:2013 or IEC 60934:2019 versions.
Further information
Read the original announcement on China Circuit Breakers for Equipment (CBE) standard – GB/T 17701-2023.
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