Instruction on Electric Cable ES Testing According to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN in Vietnam

Electric wires and cables are important conductive devices, helping to transmit electricity to consuming equipment in households, offices, factories, and public works. During use, wires and cables are in direct contact with the electric current, while also being affected by the environment and installation conditions, thus posing potential risks of electrical leakage, overload, fire, explosion, or electric shock.

Therefore, manufacturing and importing enterprises have the responsibility to perform Electric Cable ES Testing according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN before products are circulated on the market, in order to ensure safety for users and comply with legal regulations.

Table of contents

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

I. The situation of using electric wires and cables in Vietnam

In Vietnam, electric wires and cables are widely used in almost all civil works, office buildings, factories, enterprises, service facilities, and public works. This equipment is an indispensable part of the electrical system, helping to connect and operate all electricity-consuming devices.

On the market today, electric wires and cables are diverse in types, voltages, cross-sections, and insulating materials, meeting installation needs in many different environments. Popular brands in Vietnam include Cadisun, Sino, Tran Phu, Cadivi, Daphaco, and imported products from international brands.

Thu-Nghiem-Day-Va-Cap-Dien (2)

Due to the high frequency of use and direct contact with electricity, quality control, Electric Cable ES Testing, and compliance with technical standards are extremely necessary. This helps minimize the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, and equipment failure, while supporting businesses in controlling product quality before putting it on the market.

II. Instructions for Electric Cable ES Testing

1. Scope of application

Pursuant to Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), low-voltage wires and electric cables (excluding wires and electric cables with voltage below 50V and above 1000V) must comply with Electric Cable ES Testing requirements according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN, when belonging to 1 of the following 5 HS codes:

8544.20.21
8544.20.29
8544.49.41
8544.49.42
8544.49.49

Hướng Dẫn Thử Nghiệm An Toàn Điện Đối Với Dây Và Cáp Điện Theo QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN

2. Technical requirements

QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN stipulate that enterprises must perform Electric Cable ES Testing for wires and electric cables with a voltage of 50V or higher, which must comply with requirements according to the corresponding standards. Specifically, including the following technical standards:

TCVN 6610-1:2014 (IEC 60227-1:2007) – National standard on polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 1: General requirements.
TCVN 6610-2:2007 (IEC 60227-2:2003) – National standard on polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 2: Test methods.
TCVN 6610-3:2000 (IEC 60227-3: 1997) – National standard on Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 3 – Non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring.
TCVN 6610-4:2000 (IEC 60227-4: 1992, Adm.1:1997) – National standard on Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 4 – Sheathed cables for fixed wiring.
TCVN 6610-5:2014 (IEC 60227-5:2011) – National standard on polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V – Part 5: Flexible cables (cords).

Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN stipulates “the minimum declared standard must include basic indicators such as direct current resistance of the conductor, sheath thickness and insulation thickness, insulation resistance, voltage strength, and tensile testing before and after aging of the insulation and sheath”.

Hướng Dẫn Thử Nghiệm An Toàn Điện Đối Với Dây Và Cáp Điện Theo QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN

3. Costs and time for Electric Cable ES Testing

Costs and time for Electric Cable ES Testing according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN are publicly listed by Phuc Gia®. You can view the testing price list for household and office products at Testing – Certification Quotation or contact Phuc Gia for detailed advice.

4. Where to conduct Electric Cable ES Testing according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN?

4.1. Regulations on qualified Testing – Certification Units

According to current regulations, electric wires and cables must undergo Electric Cable ES Testing at a testing organization designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). These organizations perform testing within the designated scope and issue valid test reports for enterprises to use as a basis to complete certification dossiers, declarations, and implement the affixing of conformity stamps before product circulation.

Circular No. 06/2020/TT-BKHCN guiding and providing measures for the implementation of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP, Decree No. 74/2018/NĐ-CP, Decree No. 154/2018/NĐ-CP, and Decree No. 119/2017/NĐ-CP stipulates:

Certification, inspection, and testing organizations that perform certification, inspection, and testing activities for group 2 products and goods are certification organizations, inspection organizations, and testing organizations that have registered or been recognized according to the provisions of law or certification organizations, inspection organizations, and testing organizations designated according to the provisions of Decree No. 132/2008/ND-CP, amended and supplemented in Decree No. 74/2018/ND-CP and Decree No. 154/2018/ND-CP;

4.2. Phuc Gia® – A prestigious Electric Cable ES Testing organization according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN in Vietnam

Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation has been designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to perform Electric Cable ES Testing according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN for household and office electrical – electronic equipment under Decision No. 2899/QD-BKHCN.

Accordingly, Phuc Gia® is designated to test the following electrical – electronic equipment according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN, including: Instantaneous water heaters; Water heaters and hot water storage appliances; Hair dryers and other hair care appliances; Kettles; Rice cookers; Electric fans; Electric irons; Microwave ovens; Electric ovens, portable electric grills; Immersion water heaters; Tea/coffee makers; Hand dryers; Wires and electric cables.

At the same time, Phuc Gia® has been granted Certification Registration Certificate No. 3995/GCN-SKHCN by the Department of Science and Technology. Accordingly, Phuc Gia® is permitted to perform certification activities for household electrical – electronic products according to QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN and Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN.

Besides, Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation is also the first unit to be recognized by all 3 accreditation units (BoA, AOSC, VACI) as meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Phuc Gia® owns a testing facility with a scale of up to 5,000 m², equipped with advanced equipment systems that are periodically calibrated, fully meeting tests for electrical safety, EMC, energy efficiency, RF… Along with that are more than 100 well-trained engineers and technical experts, ensuring accuracy in every test report.

Anh-tap-the (1) — Phuc Gia® – A prestigious testing organization in Vietnam

III. View more current documents applied to wires and electric cables

– Decision No. 2711/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 30, 2022, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the announcement of group 2 products and goods.

– Circular No. 01/2022/TT-BKHCN dated February 16, 2022, of the Minister of Science and Technology on amending Circular No. 07/2018/TT-BKHCN and Circular No. 08/2019/TT-BKHCN.

– Circular No. 06/2020/TT-BKHCN dated December 10, 2020, of the Ministry of Science and Technology guiding and providing measures for the implementation of Decree No. 132/2008/NĐ-CP, No. 74/2018/NĐ-CP, No. 154/2018/NĐ-CP, and No. 119/2017/NĐ-CP.

– Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BKHCN dated March 31, 2017, of the Ministry of Science and Technology promulgating regulations on the declaration of conformity to standards, declaration of conformity to regulations, and methods for assessing conformity with standards and technical regulations.

– Circular No. 21/2016/TT-BKHCN dated December 15, 2016, of the Ministry of Science and Technology promulgating Amendment 1:2016 QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN National Technical Regulation on Safety of electrical and electronic equipment.

– Circular No. 28/2012/TT-BKHCN dated September 30, 2009, of the Ministry of Science and Technology promulgating Regulations on the declaration of conformity to standards, declaration of conformity to regulations, and methods for assessing conformity with standards and technical regulations.

– Circular No. 21/2009/TT-BKHCN dated September 30, 2009, of the Ministry of Science and Technology promulgating and implementing the “National technical regulation on safety for electrical and electronic equipment” (QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN).

Hướng Dẫn Thử Nghiệm An Toàn Điện Đối Với Dây Và Cáp Điện Theo QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN