Inspection standards and methods for vacuum cleaner products, factory inspection, inspection and certification services

Household cleaning products, such as vacuum cleaners and robot vacuums, have become indispensable appliances in modern households. Their quality directly impacts user experience and brand reputation. As a QC inspector, you must systematically understand key test items and operating procedures during the inspection, factory inspection, and final delivery of these products to ensure they meet technical standards and customer requirements. The following is a detailed inspection process and key points, compiled based on industry practices.

1. Preparation before inspection

Before conducting inspection, the following preparations must be completed to ensure that the inspection process is standardized and the equipment is reliable:

1. Document review : Confirm that the product specifications, test standards, order requirements, reference samples and other information provided by the customer are complete and up-to-date;

2. Testing equipment calibration : prepare and calibrate required external equipment, such as high-voltage testers, ground resistance testers, power meters, tachometers, noise meters, variable frequency power supplies, etc., and ensure they are within the calibration validity period;

3. Confirm electrical parameters : clarify the product's rated voltage and frequency (such as 120V/60Hz or 230V/50Hz), and configure the corresponding power supply;

4. Test environment setup : Arrange a reasonable "burn-in" test area to ensure ventilation, safety, and controllable noise;

5. Sampling plan determination : Determine the sampling quantity and inspection strictness according to AQL standards or customer-specified plans.

2. Packaging Inspection

Packaging inspection is the first line of defense for product quality, requiring a systematic assessment of its integrity, label consistency, and protective performance:

• Outer carton/inner carton : Check whether the material, stacking strength, mark printing content, and packaging method (such as bagging, partitions, and foam support) meet the requirements;

• Color box : Check whether the pattern, text and barcode are consistent with the sample confirmed by the customer, and whether there is any color difference, stain or debonding;

• Seal firmness : Check whether the tape or buckle device of the outer box, inner box and color box is firm and has not been tampered with;

• Accessories completeness : Check whether the brush head, filter, charging station, adapter, etc. are complete and the model and quantity are consistent with the instructions and order;

• Graphic and text consistency : All packaging materials (instructions, warranty cards, service cards, etc.) must be consistent with the actual product specifications and the language requirements of the country of sale;

• Warning labels : Check whether the packaging bag is printed with suffocation warnings and ventilation holes, and whether the product body has necessary safety labels (for example, the height of the HE filter label should be ≥15mm).

3. Safety performance inspection

Safety is a core item in factory and product inspections. Electrical products, in particular, must comply with the regulations and standards of the place of sale:

• Structural safety : Eliminate sharp corners and points, and pay special attention to whether there is broken skin or exposed copper at the power cord outlet;

• Safety regulations compliance : Testing is performed according to target market standards, such as:

  • International: IEC 60335-1, IEC 60335-2-2

  • United States: UL 1017

• Electrical safety testing : including but not limited to high voltage testing, ground resistance testing, leakage current measurement, etc.;

• Mechanical protection : Ensure that moving parts (such as roller brushes and motor transmission parts) are adequately protected to prevent user contact.

4. Appearance Inspection

Product appearance directly affects consumer purchasing decisions and brand image. The following items must be strictly followed during product inspection:

• Product conformity : Compare samples, order information and color box images to confirm that the product model, color and material are correct;

• Defect inspection : Check for dirt, scratches, flashing, shrinkage, color difference, poor electroplating, rust, dents, screen printing errors, etc.

• Assembly quality : Check whether the parts are connected smoothly and without abnormal gaps or steps;

• Signs and warnings : Make sure all safety signs and nameplate information are clear, durable and in compliance with regulations.

5. Mechanical and structural inspection

This type of inspection is intended to evaluate the product's assembly process, structural rationality, and mechanical reliability:

1. Vibration and abnormal sound test : by tapping and shaking the product, determine whether there are any foreign objects, loose screws or desoldering parts inside;

2. Assembly and fit inspection : Check whether all accessories are installed in place, whether they are installed incorrectly, missed, or too tight or too loose;

3. Base stability : Place the product on a horizontal glass plate and use a feeler gauge to measure the gap between the base and the bottom to assess its stability.

4. Power cord and plug : Confirm that the plug type and certification mark are consistent with the requirements of the sales location (such as China CCC, US UL, and European CE);

5. Installation and removal of key components : Check whether the dust box, HEPA filter, water tank, etc. can be installed and removed smoothly and are well sealed;

6. Internal structure inspection (if permitted by the customer or required by factory inspection):

   • Whether the protection of live parts and moving parts is adequate;

   • Internal wiring specifications: connectors must be able to withstand a 5N pull, and aluminum wires are prohibited;

   • The components are firmly installed, and the mechanical strength and electrical connections are reliable.

6. Functional and Performance Testing

Functional inspection is the key to determining whether a product is qualified and must cover all explicit and implicit functions:

• Power on/off response : Test its stability by turning it on and off multiple times;

• Suction and power : Use a power meter to measure the rated and maximum power to assess whether the suction meets the standards;

• Gear and buttons : All buttons and gears must be responsive and free of stuck keys;

• Noise test : Measure operating noise in an environment with controlled background noise;

• Automatic recharging/cord retraction : Check whether the automatic recharging (robot) or automatic cord retraction (vacuum cleaner) function is working properly.

• Battery life and charging : For wireless models, test their continuous working time and charging performance;

• Sweeping Path and Obstacle Avoidance (Robot): Verify its navigation logic, obstacle recognition, and edge cleaning capabilities.

7. Summary of Common Defects

Based on past inspection experience, the following quality issues often occur in household cleaning products and require special attention during inspection:

Conclusion

The inspection of household cleaning products involves a multi-dimensional, systematic quality assessment process encompassing packaging, safety, appearance, mechanical structure, and functional performance. Only by strictly enforcing standards and discerning defects during factory and shipment inspections can we effectively manage risks and enhance customer satisfaction. Inspectors are advised to flexibly apply this guide based on specific product types and customer checklists, and to continuously accumulate industry experience to optimize their inspection strategies. At China Huibang Focus, we specialize in product inspection and quarantine, testing and certification, supplier background checks, audits, and factory inspections.