Clause-by-clause translation of the Chinese industry standard JGJ 16-2008: load categories, earthing systems, 30 mA RCDs, circuit protection, bathroom zones, lightning protection.
| Document | JGJ 16-2008 Electrical design of civil buildings |
| Edition | 2008 |
| Status | Current (industry, JGJ) |
| Issued by | Ministry of Construction of China, in force since 1 August 2008 |
| Applies to | Electrical design of residential and public buildings (flats, schools, hospitals, offices) |
| № | Chapter / section |
|---|---|
| 1 | General provisions |
| 2 | Terms |
| 3 | Supply systems |
| 4 | Distribution substations |
| 5 | Protection and metering |
| 6 | Emergency power sources |
| 7 | Low-voltage distribution |
| 8 | Wiring systems |
| 9 | General electrical equipment |
| 10 | Electric lighting |
| 11 | Lightning protection |
| 12 | Earthing and special locations |
| 13 | Fire alarm systems |
| 14–23 | Low-current and IT systems |
| D | Annex D — bathroom zones |
JGJ 16-2008 (民用建筑电气设计规范) — the main design code for residential and public buildings in China, in force since 1 August 2008. Covers supply systems, substations, LV distribution, lighting, lightning protection, fire alarm and safety.
3.2 Load categories: category 1 (fire systems, hospitals, critical facilities) — two independent supplies with automatic transfer; category 2 — two lines; category 3 — single supply.
7.2 Earthing: TN-S / TN-C-S for buildings, PEN split at the intake.
7.5.2 In TN-C the PEN must never be opened; no devices may break PEN.
7.7.9 Protective devices: overcurrent devices in TN; RCDs allowed in TN-S/TN-C-S (PE upstream of the RCD); RCDs forbidden in TN-C; TT — RCD or overcurrent; IT — insulation monitoring.
7.7.10 Mandatory RCDs for: handheld and mobile equipment; outdoor equipment; wet/aggressive environments; household and socket circuits; TT-supplied equipment; medical equipment (alarm for surgery). Trip current ≤ 30 mA for shock protection, ≤ 500 mA for wiring earth faults. PE must not pass through the RCD core. Multi-level RCDs — selective. RCD opens all live conductors.
7.7.8 IT second fault: 0.8 s (with N) / 0.4 s (without N) at 220/380 V.
8.1.5 Plastic conduits must be flame-retardant.
8.1.6 In RC slabs, conduit OD ≤ 1/3 of slab thickness.
8.1.8 Fire sealing at compartment crossings.
10.5 Illuminance levels (annex B): living rooms 100–300 lx, kitchens 150–300 lx, offices 300–500 lx, classrooms 300 lx.
10.7 Emergency lighting on escape routes with ≥ 30 min autonomy.
12.2 Earthing: TN — per calculation; TT — RA×Ia ≤ 50 V.
12.8 Medical rooms: IT systems for operating theatres, insulation monitoring.
Annex D — bathroom zones 0–3 (as IEC 60364-7-701): SELV or 30 mA RCD protection in zones 1–2.
13.12 Residual-current fire alarm system mandatory for top-category buildings.
13.8–13.9 Emergency lighting and fire-system supply at category-1 reliability.
JGJ 16-2008 is close to PUE 7.1 + SP 256: 30 mA RCDs on sockets, TN-C-S with PEN split at the intake, RCD forbidden in TN-C, selectivity, bathroom zones. Chinese specifics: reliability categories 1–3, RCD ≤ 500 mA for fire protection.
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Start freeData is for reference. Final design decisions must follow current regulations and a qualified engineer.
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