China: electrical installation rules (GB 50054, GB 50303, JGJ 16)

Chinese electrical codes: GB 50054, GB 50303, JGJ 16, GB/T 16895 (IEC 60364). 220/380 V, GB 1002 sockets, TN-C-S/TT earthing, 30 mA RCDs.

Key facts

Document	GB 50054, GB 50303, JGJ 16, GB/T 16895 (IEC 60364)
Voltage	220/380 V
Frequency	50 Hz
Sockets	GB 1002 (3 flat pins)
Earthing	TN-C-S, TN-S, TT

Terminology in the native language

Native term	Transliteration	English translation
电压	diànyā	voltage
电流	diànliú	current
接地	jiēdì	earthing / grounding
漏电保护器	lòudiàn bǎohùqì	residual current device (RCD)
断路器	duànlùqì	circuit breaker
配电箱	pèidiànxiāng	distribution board
电线	diànxiàn	wire
电缆	diànlǎn	cable
插座	chāzuò	socket outlet
开关	kāiguān	switch
短路	duǎnlù	short circuit
绝缘	juéyuán	insulation
变压器	biànyāqì	transformer
负荷	fùhè	load
防雷	fángléi	lightning protection
低压	dīyā	low voltage (up to 1 kV)

Chinese standards system

China's electrical rules are national standards GB (Guóbiāo, 国家标准) and industry JG series:

• GB 50054 — design of low-voltage installations (≤1 kV);
• GB 50303 — electrical equipment installation quality;
• JGJ 16 — building electrical design (residential and public);
• GB/T 16895 — adoption of IEC 60364 in China (recommended status /T);
• GB 50116 — fire alarm; GB 50168 — cable lines; GB 50057 — lightning protection.

Voltage and systems

The household network is 220/380 V, 50 Hz. Sockets follow GB 1002: three flat pins (two line + earth, 10 A and 16 A). Earthing: TN-C-S, TN-S, TT — TN-S/TN-C-S for new buildings, TT common in rural areas.

Protection and RCDs

RCDs (漏电保护器) are mandatory per GB 50096 (residential): 30 mA for socket circuits, 10 mA for bathrooms, 300 mA fire-protection RCD at the intake. Breakers follow GB 10963 (IEC 60898 equivalent).

Wiring and materials

Cables per GB/T 5023, GB/T 12706: copper preferred, aluminium limited (≥16 mm²). Concealed wiring in conduits (PVC/steel); phase colors historically yellow/green/red, new projects follow IEC; PE — green-yellow.

China vs PUE

Parameter	China	Russia (PUE)
Voltage	220/380 V, 50 Hz	230/400 V, 50 Hz
Sockets	GB 1002 (3 flat pins)	Type C/F
RCD in housing	30 mA (10 mA bathrooms)	30 mA (10 mA bathrooms)
Basis	Own GB + IEC 60364	PUE-7 + GOST R 50571

Inspection and certification

Designs undergo review (施工图审查), installation is controlled by construction inspection; completed installations pass acceptance tests (GB 50303). Equipment requires CCC (China Compulsory Certification) certificates.

Related references

Clause-by-clause review

Translation of key sections and clauses with numbers:

Data is for reference. Final design decisions must follow current regulations and a qualified engineer.
Reference · World electrical installation rules