China power switchgear and control gear assemblies standard GB/T 7251 update has been released by the National Certification and Accreditation Administration. The new standard GB/T 7251.2-2023 standard comes into effect on March 1, 2024, and replaces the current standard GB/T 7251.12-2013. This is a significant change for the electrical industry in China.
All power switchgear and control gear assemblies must meet the GB/T 7251 standard which is a requirement for obtaining the compulsory product certification, commonly referred to as CCC certification. A CCC is necessary to be able to export such goods to China.
The key changes introduced by GB/T 7251.2:
1. Addition of Annex DD, EE and FF for assemblies for use in photovoltaic installations
2. Changed requirements for forms of internal separation and an additional requirement when the form of separation is higher than 1, all parts within the functional unit component that remain live when the functional unit is switched off shall be protected to at least IPXXB
3. Addition of temperature-rise verification for:
(i) temperature-rise verification of assemblies with natural cooling and circuits rated above 1600A by a combination of comparison with a reference design and calculation and;
(ii) temperature-rise verification of assemblies with active cooling and rated currents up to 1600A.
4. Addition of definitions of terms related to active cooling
5. Modified requirements for the protection class (IP code) of PSC assemblies and added requirements for active cooling.
Smooth Transition with Scope Retained:
Effective immediately from the publication of the announcement, producers and manufacturers of power switchgear and control gear assemblies must align with the new standard, GB/T 7251.2-2023. Importantly, this transition will not alter the description scope of products in the CCC catalogue, providing continuity in compliance for industry participants.
Proactive Compliance Measures:
In line with the regulatory commitment to ensure a seamlesstransition, producers are urged to adhere to the “Compulsory Product Certification Implementation Rules for Low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies ” (No.: CNCA-C03-01: 2014). This involves a crucial modification from GB/T 7251.12 to GB/T 7251.2. To facilitate this transition, the announcement emphasizes the necessity for CCC self-declaration and version change procedures as stated in the relevant announcement (No. 4 of 2021).
Impact for manufacturers and distributors:
Products that are already on the market:
- For products that have been certified according to the old version, the CCC self-declaration with new standard should be completed within one year after the implementation of the new standard. The deadline is February 28, 2025.
Products that are in the process of obtaining China Compulsory Certification:
- From the date of this announcement to February 29, 2024, companies can choose to apply for certification in accordance with the new standard or the old standard voluntarily; however, from March 1, 2024, certification must be implemented according to the new standard.
As China takes a progressive step towards enhancing the quality and safety standards of low-voltage apparatus, industry stakeholders must proactively engage with these regulatory changes. By ensuring a meticulous transition to GB/T 7251.2-2023, the sector can continue to uphold the highest standards of product certification and foster a culture of innovation and compliance. Stay tuned for further insights as we navigate this regulatory evolution together.
Further information
Read the original article on China power switchgear control gear assemblies standard update.
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