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GB/T 17466 Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations is divided into the following parts:
——Part 1: General requirements
——Part 2: Particular requirements
● Part 21: Particular requirements for boxes and enclosures with provision for suspension means;
● Part 22: Particular requirements for connecting boxes and enclosures;
● Part 23: Particular requirements for floor boxes and enclosures;
● Part 24: Particular requirements for enclosures for housing protective devices and other power dissipating electrical equipment
This is Part 1 of GB/T 17466.
This part is drafted in accordance with the rules given in GB/T 1.1-2009.
This part replaces GB/T 17466.1-2008 Heat pump water heater for household and similar application — Part 1: General requirements, and the following main technical changes have been made with respect to GB/T 17466.1-2008.
——In Clause 1, the temperature range is changed from "not normally exceeding +35°C, but occasionally reaching the ambient air temperature of 40°C" to "use at ambient temperatures not normally exceeding +40°C, but their average over a period of 24 h does not exceed +35°C, with a lower limit of the ambient air temperature of −5°C";
——In Clause 2, GB/T 5169.10-2006 and GB/T 19215 (all parts) have been deleted, and ISO/IEC Guide 51 has been added;
——In Clause 3, the definition of term 3.10 "cable gland" has been modified, and the term and definition of term 3.20 "blanking-plug" has been added;
——In Clause 5, the ambient temperature for test has been changed from "(20±5)°C" to "15 °C~35 °C";
——In Clause 7, the classifications of boxes and enclosures have been modified; "material of natural or synthetic rubber or a mixture of both" have been added in terms of the material properties; the maximum temperature requirement during installation in 7.5 has been deleted; and "the degree of protection of the part mounted inside the hollow walls of the boxes" in 7.8 has been added;
——In Clause 8, the minimum internal volume of the corresponding product is required to be marked on the product;
——In Clause 10, the test method without penetrating the internal volume and Figure 2 have been added;
——In Clause 11, installation requirements for the earthing mean or the protective component similar to such an earthing means have been added, and subclauses 11.3 and 11.4 have been added;
——In Clause 12, "12.1 General" has been added, with the serial numbers of other clauses modified; the relevant requirements of blanking-plug and the requirement for the flat surface areas of adjacent knock-outs have been added; the test method for fixing the boxes and electrical accessories and Figures 12, 13 and 14 have been added; the requirement for boxes intended for mounting in a finished structure has been added in 12.13.6;
——In Clause 13, test description of the blanking-plug has been added in 13.1; test description for boxes classified according to 7.8 has been added in 13.2; and the calculation formula and description of internal protection volume have been added in 13.3;
——In Clause 14, test description for enclosures classified according to 7.1.4 has been added;
——In Clause 15, "15.1 General" has been added, with the serial numbers of other clauses modified; the height of fall for impact test in Table 8 has been modified; and test requirements for enclosures classified according to 7.1.4 have been added in 15.5;
——In Clause 16, test requirements for parts of insulating material necessary to retain parts of the earthing circuit in position have been added in 16.3.2;
——In Clause 18, a description of "retaining current-carrying parts or parts of the earthing circuit in position" has been added.
This part is modified in relation to IEC 60670-1: 2015 Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 1: General requirements.
The main technical differences with respect to IEC 60670-1: 2015 are as follows:
——As for the normative references, adjustments of technical differences are made to this part to keep them in line with the technical conditions in China. The adjustments are embodied in a concentrated way in Clause 2 "Normative references", specifically as follows:
● IEC 60112: 2003 is replaced by GB/T 4207 identical to the international standard;
● IEC 60423: 2007 is replaced by GB/T 17194 equivalent to the international standard;
● IEC 60529: 1989 is replaced by GB/T 4208-2017 identical to the international standard;
● IEC 60695-2-11: 2000 is replaced by GB/T 5169.11-2017 identical to the international standard;
● IEC 60695-10-2: 2003 is replaced by GB/T 5169.21 identical to the international standard;
● IEC 60981: 2004 is replaced by GB/T 17193 identical to the international standard;
● IEC 61140: 2001 is replaced by GB/T 17045 identical to the international standard;
——As for temperature difference of damp-heat test, 14.1 of IEC 60670-1: 2015 stipulates: "The temperature of the air where the specimens are placed is maintained within±1°C of any convenient value t between + 20°C and + 30°C. Before being placed in the humidity cabinet, the specimens are brought to a temperature between t and (t + 4)°C." Considering that some areas in China are wet tropical climate, and our electrical and electronic products are subjected to humid and hot test at (40±2)°C, this part stipulates: "The temperature t of the air where the specimens are placed is maintained at (40±2)°C. Before being placed in the humidity cabinet, the specimens are brought to such temperature."
The following editorial changes have been made in this part:
——According to those specified in GB/T 1.1, Clause 1 "Scope" is supplemented with "This part of GB/T 17466 specifies the technical requirements for the marking, protection against electric shock, structure, mechanical performance and electrical performance of boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations";
——Some notes in IEC 60670-1: 2015 applicable to other countries have been deleted, such as the notes in Tables 1, 8.1, 12.6, 12.8, 12.10 and 13.2.
This part was proposed by the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association.
This part is under the jurisdiction of SAC/TC 67 National Technical Committee on Electrical Accessories of Standardization Administration of China.
The previous editions of this part are as follows:
——GB 17466-1998; GB/T 17466.1-2008.
Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations — Part 1: General requirements
1 Scope
This part of GB/T 17466 specifies the technical requirements for the marking, protection against electric shock, structure, mechanical performance and electrical performance of boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations.
This part applies to boxes, enclosures and parts of enclosures (hereafter called "boxes" and "enclosures") for electrical accessories with a rated voltage not exceeding 1,000 V a.c. and 1,500 V d.c. intended for household or similar fixed electrical installations, either indoors or outdoors.
Boxes and enclosures complying with this part are suitable for use at ambient temperatures not normally exceeding +40°C, but their average over a period of 24 h does not exceed +35°C, with a lower limit of the ambient air temperature of −5°C.
The part is intended to apply to boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household circuit breakers and similar equipment (corresponding to IEC/SC 23E) in the National Technical Committee for Standardization of Electrical Accessories (SAC/TC 67) and the National Technical Committee for Standardization of Low Voltage Electrical Apparatus (SAC/TC 189).
This part may also be used as a reference document for other standardization technical committees and subcommittees.
A box or an enclosure which is an integral part of an electrical accessory and provides protection for that accessory against external influences (for example mechanical impact, ingress of solid objects or water) is covered by the relevant standard for such an accessory.
This part does not apply to:
——ceiling roses;
——luminaire supporting couplers;
——boxes, enclosures and parts of enclosures specifically designed to be used for cable trunking and ducting systems complying with GB/T 19215 and which are not intended to be installed outside of these systems
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 2423.55-2006 Environmental testing for electric and electronic products — Part 2: Test methods — Test Eh: hammer tests (IEC 60068-2-75: 1997, IDT)
GB/T 4207 Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of solid insulating materials (GB/T 4207-2012, IEC 60112: 2009, IDT)
GB/T 4208-2017 Degrees of protection provided by enclosure (IP code) (IEC 60529: 2013, IDT)
GB/T 5169.11-2017 Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products — Part 11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods — Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products (GWEPT) (IEC 60695-2-11: 2014, IDT)
GB/T 5169.21 Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products — Part 21: Abnormal heat — Ball pressure test (GB/T 5169.21-2017, IEC 60695-10-2: 2014, IDT)
GB/T 16842-2016 Protection of persons and equipment by enclosures — Probe for verification (IEC 61032:1997, IDT)
GB/T 17045 Protection against electric shock — Common aspects for installation and equipment (GB/T 17045-2008, IEC 61140:2001, IDT)
GB/T 17193 Extra-heavy duty rigid steel conduits for electrical installations (GB/T 17193-1997, IEC 60981: 1989, IDT)
GB/T 17194 Conduits for electrical purposes — Outside diameters of conduits for electrical installations and threads of conduits and fittings (GB/T 17194-1997, eqv IEC 60423: 1993)
ISO/IEC Guide 51 Safety aspects — Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
enclosure
combination of parts, such as boxes, covers, cover-plates, lids, box extensions, accessories, etc., providing after assembly and installation as in normal use, an appropriate protection against external influences, and a defined protection against contact with enclosed live parts from any accessible direction
Note: See Annex A.
3.2
box
part of an enclosure provided with means for fixing a cover, cover-plate, accessory, etc., and intended to receive accessories (such as socket-outlets, switches)
3.3
box extension
part of an enclosure which is intended to extend a box for the purpose of either increasing the internal volume of the box or enclosure or to adjust for mounting the box flush or semi-flush with the finished surface of a wall or the like
3.4
lid
cover
cover-plate
part of an enclosure, not integral with or part of an accessory, which may either retain an accessory in position or enclose it
3.5
raised cover
cover intended for mounting directly onto a box to provide for the attachment of accessories and to increase the internal volume of the enclosure
Note: The center portion of the cover is raised to accommodate a specific wall or ceiling thickness and to permit the mounting of the accessory on it, flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling.
3.6
exposed conductive part
conductive part of electrical equipment, which can be touched and which is not normally live, but which can become live when basic insulation fails
3.7
surface mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended for mounting on a surface
Note: See Annex A.
3.8
flush-mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended for mounting flush with the surface
Note: See Annex A.
3.9
semi-flush mounting box or enclosure
box or enclosure which is intended to fit within a mounting surface and partially projects from the mounting surface
3.10
cable gland
device designed to permit the entry of a cable, flexible cable or insulated conductor into an enclosure, and which provides sealing and retention and eventually may also provide other functions such as earthing, bonding, insulation, cable guarding, strain relief or a combination of these
3.11
seal
material used to fill up the space between the inside of a gland and the cable passing through, usually compressed by the gland and thereby forming a joint
3.12
gasket
material introduced between mating surfaces of an enclosure which in compression forms a joint
3.13
grommet
component used to support and protect the cable or conduit at the point of entry, which may also prevent the ingress of moisture or contaminants
Note 1: See Figure 1.
Note 2: It is revised from Definition 581-27-19 in IEC 60050-581: 2008.
3.14
entry membrane
component or an integral part of an enclosure used to protect the cable which may be used to support the cable or conduit at the point of entry
Note: An entry membrane may also prevent the ingress of moisture or contaminants and may be part of a grommet (see Figure 1).
3.15
protecting membrane
component or an integral part of an enclosure that is not intended to be penetrated in normal use and is intended to provide protection against ingress of water or solid objects and/or to allow the operation of an accessory
Note: see Figure 1.
3.16
composite material
combination of metal and insulating material
3.17
spout (hub)
open entry of a box permitting the insertion and containment of a conduit
3.18
cable retention
ability to limit the displacement of a fitted cable against pull forces
3.19
cable anchorage
ability to limit the displacement of a fitted flexible cable against pull and push forces and torques
3.20
blanking-plug
component used to close an open inlet or an open knock out
4 General requirements
Boxes and enclosures shall be so designed and constructed that, in normal use, their performance is reliable and safety is achieved by reducing risk to a tolerable level, as defined in ISO/IEC Guide 51.
Compliance is checked by meeting all the relevant requirements and tests specified.
5 General notes on tests
5.1 Tests according to this part are type tests.
Unless otherwise specified, boxes and enclosures are tested as delivered.
Accessories complying with other standards are not tested again.
Tests on boxes and enclosures of insulating material shall be performed after a preconditioning of at least 10 days at ambient temperature and relative air humidity of between 45% and 85%.
Unless otherwise specified, the tests are carried out in the order of the clauses of this part, at an ambient temperature between +15°C and +35°C on a set of three specimens.
In case of doubt, the tests are made at an ambient temperature of +(20±5)°C on a set of three new specimens.
5.2 The specimens are submitted to all the relevant tests and the requirements of this part are satisfied if all the tests are met.
If one of the specimens does not satisfy a test due to an assembly or a manufacturing fault, that test and any preceding ones which may have influenced the results of the test shall be repeated and also the tests which follow shall be made in the required sequence on another set (three) of specimens, all of which shall comply with the requirements.
Note: When submitting the first set of specimens, the applicant can also submit the additional set (three) of specimens which may be necessary, should one specimen fail. The testing station will then, without further request (by the applicant), test the additional set of specimens and will only reject if a further failure occurs. If the additional set of specimens is not submitted at the same time, the failure of one specimen will entail rejection.
6 Ratings
See the relevant requirements of GB/T 17466.2 to GB/T 17466.24.
7 Classification
Boxes and enclosures are classified according to Table 1.
Table 1 Classification of boxes and enclosures
Classification criteria
7.1 The nature of their material 7.1.1 Insulating material
7.1.2 Metallic material
7.1.3 Composite material
7.1.4 Material of natural or synthetic rubber or a mixture of both
7.2 The type of installation 7.2.1 Flush, semi-flush in solid walls, ceilings or floors 7.2.1.1 Not suitable for installation into concrete
7.2.1.2 Suitable for installation into concrete with a maximum temperature during the casting process of +60°C
7.2.1.3 Suitable for installation into concrete with a maximum temperature during the casting process of +90°C
7.2.2 Flush or semi-flush in hollow walls, hollow ceilings, hollow floors or furniture 7.2.2.1 Class Ha
7.2.2.2 Class Hb for walls
7.2.2.3 Class Hb for ceilings
7.2.3 Surface mounting on walls, ceilings, floors or furniture
7.3 The type(s) of inlets (outlets) a 7.3.1 With inlets for sheathed cables for fixed installations
7.3.2 With inlets for flexible cables
7.3.3 With inlets for plain or corrugated conduits
7.3.4 With inlets for threaded conduits
7.3.5 With inlets for other types of conductors/cables or conduits
7.3.6 With spouts (inlets)
7.3.7 Without inlets. Inlet openings will be made during installation
7.4 The clamping means 7.4.1 With cable retention
7.4.2 With cable anchorage
7.4.3 With clamping means for flexible conduit
7.4.4 Without clamping means
7.5 The minimum temperature during installation 7.5.1 -5°C
7.5.2 -15°C
7.5.3 -25°C
7.6 The degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against harmful effects due to the ingress of solid foreign objects according to GB/T 4208 with a minimum degree of IP2X
7.7 The degree of protection against harmful effects due to the ingress of water according to GB/T 4208
7.8 The degree of protection of the part mounted inside the hollow walls of the boxes classified according to 7.2.2.1 7.8.1 IP2X
7.8.2 >IP2X
7.9 The provision for fixing accessories to boxes 7.9.1 Boxes supplied with screws
7.9.2 Boxes intended to receive screws
7.9.3 Boxes intended to receive claws
7.9.4 Boxes intended to receive other means
a Boxes and enclosures may have more than one type of inlet.
8 Marking
8.1 Boxes and enclosures shall be marked with
a) the name, trade mark or identification mark of the manufacturer or the responsible vendor.
In addition enclosures shall be marked with:
b) the first characteristic numeral for the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and against harmful effects due to ingress of solid foreign objects, if declared to be higher than 4 in which case the second characteristic numeral shall also be marked;
c) the second characteristic numeral for the degree of protection against harmful effects due to ingress of water, if declared to be higher than 2 in which case the first characteristic numeral shall also be marked;
d) the following marking on the cover of flush enclosures intended to be mounted on rough surfaces and where the IP is dependent on the surface (see Figure 5).
The IP code, if applicable, shall be marked on the outside of the enclosure so as to be easily discernible when the enclosure is mounted and wired as for normal use;
e) the type reference, which may be a catalogue number;
f) for boxes and enclosures classified as in 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3, the minimum internal volume in cm3 as determined by the test in 12.16. The internal volume shall be marked on the inside of the box or enclosure. The marking on a box or enclosure shall be such that the value can be read after installation of the box in the normal manner but before the installation of the wiring devices and wiring.
The following information shall be marked on the boxes and enclosures or provided by the manufacturer on the smallest package unit or in the manufacturer's instructions:
g) +90°C for boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.1.3;
h) the necessary information concerning the openings during installation in the case of boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.3.7;
i) the minimum temperature during installation for boxes classified according to 7.5.2 and 7.5.3;
j) the symbol Ha for boxes classified according to 7.2.2.1 and the symbol Hb for boxes classified according to 7.2.2.2 and 7.2.2.3.
Unless self-evident, further information for the correct use of the enclosure shall be given in the manufacturer's instructions which need not be provided with the product.
In special cases, in order to achieve a higher degree of protection by the use of special parts an instruction sheet shall be provided and shall indicate the higher degree of protection. In such a case, the marking covers the initial degree of protection.
Foreword i
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 General requirements
5 General notes on tests
6 Ratings
7 Classification
8 Marking
9 Dimensions
10 Protection against electric shock
11 Earthing protection
12 Construction
13 Resistance to aging, protection against ingress of solid objects and against harmful ingress of water
14 Insulation resistance and electric strength
15 Mechanical strength
16 Resistance to heat
17 Creepage distances, clearances and distances through sealing compound
18 Resistance of insulating material to abnormal heat and fire
19 Resistance to tracking
20 Resistance to rusting
21 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
Annex A (Informative) Examples of enclosures and parts thereof
Figure 1 Examples of membranes and grommets
Figure 2 Demonstration of the non-penetration of the internal volume
Figure 3 Earthing strap
Figure 4 Test strap
Figure 5 Arrangement for test on covers or cover-plates (see 12.2.3.2 and 12.2.3.3)
Figure 6 Gauge for the verification of the outline of lids, covers or cover-plates
Figure 7 Examples of application of the gauge of Figure 6 on covers fixed without screws on a mounting surface or supporting surface
Figure 8 Examples of application of the gauge of Figure
Figure 9 Gauge for verification of grooves, holes and reverse tapers
Figure 10 Sketch showing the direction of application of the gauge of Figure
Figure 11 Apparatus for testing the cable anchorage
Figure 12 Example of mounting block for boxes to be embedded (flush-mounting type and semi-flush mounting type)
Figure 13 Example of the fixing of the auxiliary device mounted on a specimen
Figure 14 Example of test apparatus
Figure 15 Verification of fixing means for boxes and enclosures classified according to 7.2.
Figure 16 Test of the force and measurement of the displacement
Figure 17 Volume measurement
Figure 18 Reference surfaces for boxes and enclosures
Figure 19 Standard test wall
Figure 20 Example of the protected volume
Figure 21 Apparatus for impact test at low temperature
Figure 22 Mounting block for flush-type boxes and enclosures in order to apply blows on the rear surface
Figure 23 Sequence of blows for parts A, B, C, D, E, F and G
Figure 24 Test devices for load compression test for enclosures made of natural or synthetic rubber or a mixture of both
Figure 25 Rigid crossbar
Figure 26 Diagrammatic representation of the glow-wire test
Table 1 Classification of boxes and enclosures
Table 2 Forces to be applied to covers, cover-plates or actuating members whose fixing is not dependent on screws
Table 3 Forces and torques to be applied to cable anchorages
Table 4 Tightening torques for the verification of the mechanical strength of screws
Table 5 Torque test values for cable glands
Table 6 Test voltage for electric strength test
Table 7 Determination of parts A, B, C, D, E, F and G
Table 8 Height of fall for impact test
