IEC 60947-10: A New Global Standard For Semiconductor Circuit-Breakers

For over a century, electrical circuit-breakers have relied on physically separating metallic contacts and extinguishing the resulting electric arc to interrupt normal and fault currents. Recent advances in power semiconductors-such as high-current MOSFETs and IGBTs-are transforming this legacy design. Solid-state technology enables circuit-breakers to achieve microsecond breaking speeds, far higher endurance over repeated operations, and clean interruption free of gas exhaust.

To establish uniform safety and performance benchmarks across the industry, the International Electrotechnical Commission published IEC 60947-10 in May 2026.

Driving the Energy Transition

Solid-state protection brings advanced digital functionality and high-speed electrical control to modern power infrastructure:

High Current Limitation: Delivers ultra-fast short-circuit response critical for high-density environments like data centers.

Microgrid Control: Simplifies load balancing and system management through native remote capabilities.

Optimized DC Protection: Improves selectivity in direct-current systems, opening doors to modern network architectures.

Integrated Smart Features: Blends protection, metering, communication, and control into compact, easily integrated units.

Key Provisions of IEC 60947-10

The IEC standard ensures solid-state devices match the rigorous safety levels of traditional electromechanical breakers:

Galvanic Isolation: Requires mechanical contacts to ensure safe physical separation during maintenance.

Standby Modes: Sets strict leakage current limits when semiconductors are off but mechanical contacts remain engaged for remote operation.

Auxiliary Power Management: Regulates behavior during voltage dips or complete control-power failures.

Component Testing: Outlines six distinct type-testing sequences and evaluates electronic component failure modes.

International Regulatory Alignment

Global standard bodies are rapidly deploying solid-state rules based on similar principles:

North America: UL published UL489I in October 2025.

China: Released group standard T/CEEIA 782-2024 in 2024, with full national GB/T adoption planned for 2028.