Confused by Icu and Ics? Understand the difference between Ultimate and Service Breaking Capacity to select the right circuit breaker safely.
November 17, 2025
Global standards and certifications define how circuit breakers must be designed, tested and rated. For engineers, installers and buyers, knowing which standards apply helps ensure safety, reliability and compliance with local regulations.
Many low‑voltage breakers comply with one or more of several widely accepted standards. Each standard is suited to certain applications or markets. The most common standards are described below.
This standard belongs to the broader International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60947 series and covers circuit breakers designed for low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear. The latest edition applies to breakers used in circuits up to 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC.
Key features defined by IEC 60947‑2 include rated operational current and voltage, short‑circuit breaking capacity (Icu and Ics), insulation requirements, mechanical and electrical endurance, arc‑extinction performance (for AC and DC), and marking and documentation standards.
This makes IEC 60947‑2 breakers a common choice for industrial installations, commercial buildings, and other systems needing robust, repeatable performance and high reliability.
This standard is issued by IEC for circuit breakers intended primarily for residential or light‑duty applications. It defines performance criteria for low‑voltage breakers used in homes, offices, shops and similar settings.
Under IEC 60898‑1, the typical breaker current rating goes up to 125 A, and short‑circuit capacity (Icn) is defined but limited compared with industrial-grade breakers.
Because of its simpler requirements and design philosophy, IEC 60898‑1 breakers are well suited for final circuits, lighting, sockets, and other light loads. They are typically not used for heavy feeders or motors that require high breaking capacity or endurance.
In markets such as North America, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification is frequently required. UL 489 is the standard that governs molded‑case circuit breakers (MCCBs) and similar protective devices used for branch circuit protection.
UL‑certified breakers are tested under relevant AC conditions typical in North American systems, and their interrupting ratings, endurance, temperature rise, and other parameters are evaluated accordingly.
When a breaker carries a UL listing, it helps ensure that installations comply with local electrical codes and safety regulations in regions where UL certification is accepted or required.
For products placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA), CE Marking is often required for electrical equipment. CE Marking is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all relevant EU directives concerning safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and other regulatory requirements.
For a circuit breaker intended for the European market, compliance with standard such as EN IEC 60947‑2 (the European harmonised version of IEC 60947‑2) helps satisfy technical requirements. Once compliance is demonstrated via tests and documentation, the manufacturer issues an EU Declaration of Conformity and applies the CE mark on the product.
CE Marking enables free circulation of compliant electrical products within the EEA. It does not imply a separate “quality certificate,” but acts as a regulatory passport for legally marketing and installing the product.
| Standard / Certification | Target Application / Region | Typical Use Case |
| IEC 60947 2 | Industrial, commercial, global markets | Feeders, motors, distribution boards |
| IEC 60898 1 | Residential and light commercial circuits globally | Lighting, sockets, and small appliance circuits |
| UL 489 | North America (USA, Canada) and regions accepting UL | Branch circuits and general wiring in UL-regulated systems |
| EN IEC 60947-2 + CE mark | European Union and CE-compliant markets globally | Industrial/commercial installations, panels for sale in the CE market |
This comparison helps choose breakers compatible with local codes and application demands.
When you choose a breaker for any installation, confirm these attributes：
These checks ensure that the breaker delivers expected protection and operates reliably throughout its service life.
Standards provide a shared language and benchmark for breaker performance. For buyers and designers, they clarify what a breaker can do under overload, short circuit or repeated operation. For manufacturers, they define the test procedures, design rules and labeling requirements required to supply products to different markets.
Compliance with a relevant standard takes the guesswork out of system design and helps avoid mismatches between breaker capacity and actual conditions. Breakers built to recognised standards enable safer installations and smoother regulatory approval.
If you want breakers that meet the appropriate global standards and match your system configuration precisely, contact Kripal Electric for a quote. Kripal offers circuit breakers certified under IEC, UL or CE regimes, built with manufacturing expertise and rigorous testing procedures.
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