China is the world's leading air conditioner production hub, and air conditioner exports to different countries must strictly adhere to individual national safety standards . Asia is the largest market for Chinese air conditioner exports, followed by Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa. Driven by China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian market is experiencing strong growth.
In 1972, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) developed the standard IEC378-1972, "Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment of Room Air Conditioners." This standard was revised in 1992 to IEC60335-2-40, and is required to be used in conjunction with IEC60335-1. This standard specifies electrical safety requirements for air conditioners under both normal and abnormal operating conditions.
Air conditioning product safety standards in different countries
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Country or region
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Standard number
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IEC standards
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EC 60335-2-40:2022(ed.7.0)
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China
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GB 4706.32
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European Union
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EN 60335-2-40
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USA
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ANSI/UL 60335-2-40
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Australia
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AS/NZS 60335.2.40
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Japan
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JIS C 9335-2-40
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South Korea
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KC60335-2-40
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Vietnam
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TCVN 5699-2-40
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Malaysia
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MS 1597-2-40
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Thailand
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TIS 1529-2561
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Argentina
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IEC 60335-2-40
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Brazil
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IEC 60335-2-40
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my country's safety standards, developed based on IEC standards, are national standards GB4706.1 and GB4706.32. These standards are equivalent to international standards IEC60335-1 and IEC60335-2-40 and apply to general and specific safety requirements for heat pumps, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers for household and similar uses.
my country's current air conditioner safety standard is GB 4706.32-2012 "Safety of heat pumps, air conditioners and dehumidifiers for household and similar electrical appliances", which is equivalent to IEC 60335-2-40:2005 (Ed4.2).
Differences between China's air-conditioning product safety standards and international IEC standards
Compared with GB 4706.32-2012, IEC 60335-2-40:2022 (ed.7.0) has adjusted its scope, such as adding thermoelectric heat pumps and some units, and clarifying that dehumidifiers with and without compressors are included in the standard. It also increases the upper limit of the single-phase maximum rated voltage from no more than 250V to 300V, and changes the no more than 600V for other appliances to no more than 600V for multi-phase appliances. It clarifies that the refrigerants considered in the standard are A1, A2L, A2, and A3 specified in IS0817, and that the molar mass of flammable refrigerants is less than or equal to 42kg/kmo1, and updates the reference to IS05149 standard. In addition, it adjusts the requirements for flammable refrigerants, adds special requirements for ultraviolet germicidal lamp systems, adds requirements related to transcritical refrigeration systems, adds requirements related to some units, and revises other related content such as fever and abnormal conditions.
