| Applicable Product Standard | - IEC 60898-1 is commonly used for household and similar installations.
- IEC 60947-2 applies to circuit breakers used in industrial applications.
- The selected standard should match the intended installation and market.
| Confirms that the MCB has been designed and tested for the correct operating environment. | Current test reports, standard declaration, certificate scope, and product technical file. | 15% |
| Rated Current Range | Common miniature circuit breaker ratings include 1 A to 63 A for many residential and light-commercial applications. The available range must be verified for each product series. | Ensures the supplier can provide suitable protection for different cable sizes and connected loads. | Official datasheet showing In ratings, operating characteristics, and ambient-temperature correction data. | 8% |
| Number of Poles | Typical configurations include 1P, 1P+N, 2P, 3P, and 4P. Pole arrangements should be selected according to the electrical system and isolation requirements. | Incorrect pole selection can leave conductors inadequately protected or make isolation incomplete. | Dimensional drawings, wiring diagrams, pole configuration table, and installation instructions. | 8% |
| Rated Breaking Capacity | Common market ratings include 4.5 kA, 6 kA, and 10 kA. The required value must be equal to or greater than the prospective short-circuit current at the installation point. | A higher breaking capacity provides greater ability to interrupt fault current safely. | Short-circuit test report, marking photo, product datasheet, and certificate showing the tested Icn or Icu value. | 15% |
| Tripping Curve | - Type B: instantaneous magnetic tripping typically between 3 and 5 times In.
- Type C: typically between 5 and 10 times In.
- Type D: typically between 10 and 20 times In.
| Curve selection affects compatibility with lighting, socket circuits, motors, transformers, and other loads. | Time-current characteristic curves and test data for each rated current and curve type. | 10% |
| Electrical Endurance | IEC-based MCB testing normally distinguishes electrical endurance from mechanical endurance. The required cycle count depends on the applicable product standard and category. | Helps assess long-term reliability under repeated switching and fault-protection operation. | Endurance test report identifying the standard, test current, cycle count, and pass criteria. | 8% |
| Thermal Performance | MCB current-carrying capacity is affected by ambient temperature, enclosure temperature, grouping, and adjacent devices. Derating information should be available. | Prevents nuisance tripping and overheating when several breakers are installed together. | Temperature-rise test data, derating curves, calibration temperature, and installation-spacing recommendations. | 8% |
| Terminal and Connection Design | Verify terminal capacity, conductor compatibility, tightening torque, cage-clamp construction, and compatibility with busbars where required. Typical terminal sizes vary by product design. | Reliable connections reduce the risk of loose terminals, hot spots, and installation errors. | Installation manual, terminal drawings, torque specifications, conductor-size range, and busbar compatibility information. | 8% |
| Factory Quality Management | A mature manufacturer should operate documented incoming-material inspection, in-process testing, final inspection, traceability, and nonconforming-product controls. ISO 9001 certification is a useful management-system indicator but does not replace product testing. | Consistent process control is essential for maintaining stable performance across repeated production batches. | Quality-management certificate, process flow chart, inspection plan, calibration records, and sample inspection reports. | 10% |
| Compliance for Target Market | Required approvals vary by destination. IEC compliance may be supplemented by national or regional requirements, such as CE-related conformity obligations for applicable European-market products. | Reduces customs, installation, and market-access risks. | Valid certificates, declarations of conformity, marking artwork, certificate database records, and scope matching the exact model. | 8% |
| Sample and Batch Consistency | Compare samples with mass-production units for dimensions, markings, terminal construction, tripping characteristics, and packaging. A pre-shipment inspection should use an agreed acceptance plan. | Prevents a supplier from delivering samples that differ from the approved production version. | Golden sample, approved drawings, batch test records, inspection checklist, and third-party or customer inspection report. | 6% |
| Technical Support and After-Sales Service | The supplier should provide installation guidance, fault analysis, replacement procedures, warranty terms, and a defined response time for technical claims. | Fast technical support limits downtime and helps resolve installation or quality issues correctly. | Warranty policy, service-level agreement, return procedure, corrective-action template, and technical contact details. | 4% |
| Commercial and Supply Capability | Evaluate minimum order quantity, lead time, production capacity, packaging options, payment terms, spare-part availability, and shipment history. These figures should be confirmed in writing for the selected model. | Ensures that the supplier can support both initial procurement and future replenishment. | Formal quotation, production schedule, capacity statement, packaging specification, and recent delivery performance record. | 4% |
| Recommended Selection Method | Use a weighted scorecard: multiply each criterion score by its weight, then compare at least three qualified suppliers. Do not approve a supplier if mandatory safety or compliance requirements are missing, regardless of the total score. | Combines technical suitability, compliance, quality, and commercial performance instead of selecting solely by price. | Completed supplier questionnaire, scored comparison sheet, sample-test report, audit record, and final approval document. | Mandatory Gate |