GB/T 12668.2-2025: China’s drive rating standard moves to IEC 61800-2:2021 on 1 January 2027

#The facts

The standard belongs to the GB/T 12668 series for adjustable-speed electrical power drive systems, alongside Part 3 (EMC) and Part 5 (safety).

#What changes

The 2025 edition jumps two IEC editions, from 1998 to 2021. The changes below are the ones IEC lists for IEC 61800-2:2021 against its 2015 predecessor. Because China adopted the IEC text with modifications, check the national deviations in the standard itself.

• High-voltage drives merged in. Requirements previously in IEC 61800-4 are now part of Part 2. The scope covers AC drives fed by converters up to 35 kV AC and DC input up to 1.5 kV.
• Low/high voltage classification. A new table and figure set out the boundaries.
• Product evaluation (new Clause 4). Methods for checking a product against the standard.
• Ratings and performance updated, with references to the other parts of the series (EMC, electrical and functional safety, load duty, communication, ecodesign) to avoid conflicts.
• Ecodesign and environmental evaluation revised; a requirement for explosive atmospheres added.
• Tests linked to design requirements, and marking and documentation harmonised across the series.

Traction drives and electric vehicles remain outside the scope.

#What manufacturers should do

• Update datasheets. Rating definitions and marking follow the new terminology.
• Review high-voltage products. Medium-voltage drives now sit inside this standard.
• Align test plans across the series. Ratings (Part 2), EMC (Part 3) and safety (Part 5-1) should share one sample and configuration where possible.

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