On March 29 and 30, 2023, SAC/TC588 (Electronic Equipment Safety) issued explanation documents for the mandatory national standard GB 4943.1-2022 Audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment—Part 1: Safety requirements (hereinafter referred to as “GB 4943.1-2022”).

GB 4943.1-2022 is adopted from IEC 62368-1:2018 with modification, and will come into force on August 1, 2023, and replace two currently effective standards:

·   GB 8898-2011 Audio, video, and similar electronic apparatus - Safety requirements

·   GB 4943.1-2011 Information technology equipment - Safety - Part 1: General requirements

The explanation documents answered the following questions:

·   Q: Article F.3.5.3 requires putting certain symbols (such as suitable fuse type and its rated current etc.). Is it applied to sub-miniature fuse links?  

A: Such requirements also apply to sub-miniature fuses-links, which means a breaking capacity symbol should be put near the fuse base or sub-miniature fuses-links. The consideration of making such an explanation is to avoid possible mistakes happening in the fuse replacement process. When evaluating complete equipment under GB 4943.1-2022, all components should be compliant with their corresponding requirements.   

·   Q: Requirements in article F.3.5.2 requires putting a marking on the disconnect switch or circuit-breaker following GB/T 5465.2’s stipulations. Then is it mandatory to put a standby switch symbol (sample as below) for the “standby” status in class III equipment?

A: If it is a control device (standby switch) in class III equipment that does not effect on safety, then such marking is not necessary. The electrical energy source of class III equipment is ES1, so there is no shock risk. If the standby switch also passes the inspection and test and has been ruled out of other safety risks (catch fire/overheat/mechanical/radiation/chemistry etc.), then the mark is not necessary.

·   Q: Some complete equipment that conforms with IEC 60065 or IEC 62368-1, but can’t carry out certain routine tests with the complete equipment (e.g.: routine electric strength test). So when the component is conformed with all relevant regular test requirements, it is possible to exempt the complete equipment from such routine tests?

A: Based on the IEC 62911:2016 Audio, video and information technology equipment – Routine electrical safety testing in production’s contents, article 5.2 says: “Routine tests for electric strength shall be carried out between circuits connected to the mains (primary circuits) and accessible conductive parts. For accessible circuits not connected to the mains (secondary circuits), it is permitted to test separately, before final assembly, subassemblies, and components, such as transformers, if the relevant insulation cannot be tested in the complete equipment, provided that the complete equipment complies with IEC 60065, IEC 60950-1 or IEC 62368-1 as appropriate.”

When routine tests are carried out according to GB 4943.1-2022, the aforementioned statement in IEC 62911:2016 can be used as a reference. 

The national standard that identically adopted the IEC 62911:2016 is under development by TC 588 at the moment. The interpretation of this question is a quotation of the original IEC standard as a reference, and should be subject to the final statement of the national standard when it releases.)

·   Q: Article F.3.8 stipulates that marking requirements should include voltage rating, current rating, and polarity for external power output. However, whether USB data transfer ports (with DC output) that are installed on laptops, desktops and monitors etc. need to carry such a mark?

A: USB ports on such products do not need to carry the mark for voltage rating and current rating. Because the requirements for F.3.8 apply to the external power outputs that are designed to offer other devices with power. For the ones whose main functions are not supplying power, and their applicable standards have already stipulated voltage and current values, the marking requirements of F.3.8 do not apply.

·   Q: Whether the standard socket in the picture below is allowed to be used as the power output socket for electrical product (such as portable energy storage power sources)?

A: It is allowed. To be specific, 1) article 4.1.2 of GB 4943.1 provides further explanation on the point; 2) when an electrical product is installed with an output socket that can provide power to other devices, such sockets should conform with requirements of national standard GB 4943.1-2022 and all kinds of sockets that are stipulated in the GB/T 1002, GB/T 1003 and GB/T 2099 (all parts). 

·   Q: Article F.3.7 stipulates requirements for marking of IP rating as “if an equipment is applied as a non-IPX0 level, then the IP classification code should be marked on the equipment under GB/T 4208-2017 requirements.” In such a case, does all non-IPX0 devices need to have an IP code label? Is it allowed to label the IP code in the user manual?  

A: Only when the IP structure of the equipment will be used as a safety protection, shall the IP classification code be labeled in compliance with GB/T 4208-2017. The IP code can be labeled either on the equipment or in the user manual.