Glossary 65 terms
China electronics sourcing glossary
Plain-language definitions of the components, certifications, and manufacturing terms you'll meet when sourcing electronics from China. Each entry links to the full reference article.
A
- AQL Sampling Plans for Electronics Inspection AQL sampling plans per ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 for electronics inspection from China: lot-to-sample tables, defect classification, and pass/fail interpretation.
- Automotive Connectors: USCAR-2, Deutsch & TE Alternatives USCAR-2 automotive connectors sourced from China: Deutsch DT/DTM, TE AMP Superseal, Molex MX150, LV-214 specs, fake connector detection, and PPAP.
- Automotive Display Modules: TFT, IPS & Cluster Displays Automotive TFT/IPS/AMOLED display modules from China: −40°C to 85°C range, CISPR 25 compliance, MIPI DSI/LVDS interfaces, and Chinese OEM panel suppliers.
B
- Bluetooth 5.x Modules: Technical Sourcing Reference BLE 5.x modules from China: nRF52840 vs nRF52832 vs EFR32BG22 compared, certified Chinese suppliers, version differences, and FCC/CE grant verification.
- Board-to-Board Connectors: China Sourcing Reference Board-to-board connectors from China: mezzanine/stacking/coplanar, 0.4–1.27mm pitch, high-speed BTB for USB 3.x/PCIe/MIPI, Chinese vs OEM originals.
- BOM Management for Electronics Sourcing BOM management for China-sourced electronics: required columns, MPN vs generic specs, lifecycle status, AVL strategy, Chinese distributor verification.
C
- CAN Bus Transceiver & Interface Modules CAN bus modules from China: ISO 11898, CAN FD at 5 Mbps, AEC-Q100 transceivers, OBD-II gateway boards, PCB layout rules, and supplier verification.
- CE Marking for Electronics: Requirements and Process CE marking for electronics from China: RED, LVD, and EMC Directive scope, self-declaration process, technical file requirements, and Chinese lab options.
- Conformal Coating for Electronics: Types & Sourcing Conformal coating for China-manufactured PCBAs: material selection, application methods, thickness specs, and IPC-CC-830B quality inspection criteria.
D
- D-Sub Connectors: DB9, DB15, DB25 — China Sourcing Reference D-Sub connectors sourced from China: DB9, DB15, DB25, HD-15 shell sizes, contact types, EMC backshell options, and quality issues in Chinese production.
- DC Barrel Power Connectors: China Sourcing Reference DC barrel connectors from China: 5.5/2.1mm and 5.5/2.5mm standards, current ratings, locking variants, PCB vs panel mount, and polarity conventions.
- DFM for PCB: Design for Manufacturability Reference PCB DFM rules for China manufacturing: trace spacing, via sizing, component clearances, stencil aperture ratios, fiducials, and test point layout.
E
- ESD Protection in Electronics: PCB Layout & Design ESD protection for China-sourced electronics: HBM/CDM models, TVS diode selection, PCB layout rules, IEC 61000-4-2 compliance, and ESD-safe factory specs.
- ESP32 Module Variants: Sourcing Guide for Hardware Engineers ESP32 module families compared for China sourcing: ESP32 vs S3 vs C3 vs H2, WROOM vs WROVER, certified suppliers, and clone module failure modes to avoid.
- EV Onboard Charger (OBC) Modules: 3.3kW to 22kW EV onboard charger modules from China: 3.3–22kW AC/DC, bidirectional V2G OBC, UL 2202/IEC 62477 compliance, and Chinese OEM qualification risks.
F
- FCC Certification for Electronics Importers FCC certification for US-market electronics from China: Part 15 SDoC vs TCB, modular approval for ESP32 and nRF52, test costs, timelines, and lab options.
- FPC & FFC Connectors: China Sourcing Reference FPC vs FFC connectors from China: 0.5–1.25mm pitch, ZIF vs LIF lock types, actuation cycle life, camera module connectors, and common failure modes.
G
- GaN Charger ICs for Power Electronics OEM GaN charger ICs for OEM manufacturing in China: Navitas, Innoscience, Power Integrations topologies, USB PD 3.1 EPR, BOM cost, and UL 62368-1 compliance.
- Gerber Files for PCB Manufacturing: Reference Guide PCB fabrication data for Chinese factories: RS-274X Gerber format, Excellon drill files, ODB++, IPC-2581, and correct board parameter specification.
H
- HDMI & DisplayPort Connectors: China Sourcing Reference HDMI and DisplayPort connectors from China: HDMI licensing, version bandwidth, royalty-free DP advantage, impedance specs, and high-speed failure modes.
- High-Current Battery Connectors: XT30, XT60, Anderson, EC XT30/XT60/XT90, Anderson Powerpole, and EC3/EC5/EC8 battery connectors from China: current ratings, contact resistance specs, Amass vs clone detection.
I
- IATF 16949 Certification for Automotive Components IATF 16949:2016 for automotive buyers: scope limits, PPAP Levels 1–5, verifying Chinese factory certificates, and what factory audits actually cost.
- IEC 60335 Appliance Safety: What It Covers and When It Applies IEC 60335 is the safety standard for household electrical appliances: what it covers, how it differs from IEC 62368, and its role in Saudi SASO conformity.
- IEC 62133 Battery Safety for Electronics IEC 62133-2:2017 lithium battery safety certification: CB Scheme, test scope, accredited Chinese labs, costs, and pack-level vs cell-level certification.
- Industrial Ethernet Switches: Sourcing Reference Industrial Ethernet switches from China: managed vs unmanaged, DIN rail, IEC 61850-3, IEEE 1588v2 PTP, EMC levels, and evaluating Chinese vendors.
- IPC-A-610: Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies Reference IPC-A-610H for electronics from China: Class 1/2/3 quality levels, BGA void limits, common SMT defect categories, and how to specify class in POs.
- ISO 26262 Functional Safety for Automotive Electronics ISO 26262 for automotive electronics from China: ASIL A–D levels, HARA, PMHF/SPFM metrics, certification costs, and evaluating Chinese supplier claims.
J
L
- LiDAR Sensor Modules: Spinning, Solid-State & MEMS LiDAR modules from Chinese manufacturers: Hesai, Livox, Robosense specs, 905nm vs 1550nm, ToF vs FMCW, export control risks, and ROS integration.
- LiPo & Li-ion Battery Cells: China Sourcing Reference LiPo and Li-ion cells from China: energy density, C-rate, cycle life, Chinese manufacturers, Grade A vs B distinction, and UN 38.3 transport compliance.
- Lithium Battery Management Systems (BMS): Sourcing Reference Lithium BMS sourced from China: cell balancing topologies, protection parameters, TI and Chinese ICs, IEC 62133 testing, and UN 38.3 transport compliance.
- LoRa & LoRaWAN Modules: China Sourcing Reference LoRa and LoRaWAN modules from China: SX1276 vs SX1262 chipsets, regional frequency bands, FCC/CE/TELEC certification, and supplier evaluation.
M
- M12 Industrial Connectors: China Sourcing Reference M12 connectors from China: A–X/T coding variants, IP67/IP68/IP69K ratings, Ethernet D/X-coding, locking types, and IP rating validation on Chinese parts.
- M8 & M16/M23 Circular Connectors: China Sourcing Reference M8, M16, and M23 circular connectors from China: IEC 61076-2-104 specs, servo motor and encoder wiring, contact resistance, and counterfeit detection.
- Matter Smart Home Protocol: Certification & Requirements Matter smart home certification for China-sourced devices: CSA process, costs, DAC/PAI/CD components, and engineering decisions that affect your timeline.
- MIPI CSI/DSI Camera & Display FPC Connectors MIPI CSI-2 and DSI FPC connectors from China: pin counts, ZIF types, lane configs, signal integrity limits, and non-standard Chinese pinout risks.
O
P
- PCB Substrate Materials: FR4, Rogers & High-Frequency PCB laminate materials for China sourcing: FR4, Rogers 4003C/4350B, PTFE, MCPCB, and polyimide compared by dielectric properties and cost multipliers.
- Pin Headers & Dupont Connectors: China Sourcing Reference Pin headers and Dupont connectors from China: 2.54/2.0/1.27mm pitch, brass vs gold plating, current ratings, through-hole vs SMD, SIL/DIL types.
- Pressure Sensors for Industrial & IoT Applications Pressure sensors from China: MEMS piezoresistive vs capacitive, key specs, Chinese and international manufacturers, IP ratings, and IEC 61298 accuracy.
R
- REACH SVHC Compliance for EU Electronics REACH SVHC compliance for electronics from China: Article 33 obligations, SCIP database registration, valid supplier declarations, and chemical testing.
- Reflow Soldering Profiles: SAC305, Lead-Free & Leaded Reflow soldering profiles for China PCB assembly: SAC305 lead-free and Sn63Pb37 leaded zone temperatures, ramp rates, and J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity.
- RF Connectors: SMA, MMCX, U.FL/IPEX RF connectors from China: SMA, RP-SMA, MMCX, U.FL/IPEX, BNC, and N-type — VSWR limits, gold plating requirements, frequency ranges, and polarity mistakes.
- RJ45 Ethernet Connectors: China Sourcing Reference RJ45 connectors from China: Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A jack specs, integrated magnetics quality, PoE contact ratings, industrial IP67 variants, and failure modes.
- RoHS 2 Compliance: Restricted Substances for Electronics RoHS 2 compliance for electronics from China: 10 restricted substances, concentration limits, exemptions, valid declarations, and testing options.
S
- SABER Certification: Saudi Arabia's Conformity Platform Explained SABER is Saudi Arabia's online conformity platform: how PCoC and SCoC certificates work, who registers them, and what China factories must supply via...
- SAE J1939 Protocol Modules and Gateways: Sourcing from China SAE J1939 modules and CAN-to-MQTT gateways from China: PGN/SPN structure, 250/500 kbps variants, 29-bit frame, connector pinout, and vendor vetting.
- SASO 2902: Saudi Lighting Efficiency Rules for LED Sourcing SASO 2902:2023 sets a 90 lm/W minimum for LED lighting in Saudi Arabia, mandatory from 2025-06-01. What it covers and how to verify a factory lab report.
- SASO Certification: What China Electronics Exporters Need to Know SASO is Saudi Arabia's standards authority. What it covers for electronics: IEC 60335/62368 safety, SASO 2902 lighting efficiency, Type G plugs, 220V/60Hz.
- SD & microSD Card Connectors: China Sourcing Reference SD and microSD connectors from China: push-push vs push-pull actuation, mating cycle life, SIM/SD combo types, SMD footprint, and failure modes.
- SMT PCB Assembly: Technical Reference for Buyers SMT assembly for China-sourced PCBAs: solder paste printing, pick-and-place, reflow, and inspection stages — essential before auditing a Chinese factory.
T
- TELEC/MIC Type Approval: Japan Radio Law Certification TELEC/MIC type approval for electronics from China sold in Japan: Radio Law scope, ARIB standards, module-level approval paths, costs, and bodies.
- Terminal Blocks & DIN Rail Connectors DIN rail terminal blocks from China: screw, cage clamp, and spring clamp types, IEC 60947-7-1 and UL 508 compliance, pitch variants, and how to verify.
- Tuya Smart Platform: OEM Smart Home Sourcing from China Tuya powers most white-label smart home devices from China: the OEM app model, Arabic language support, Alexa/Google integration, and cloud-region...
- Type G Plug (BS 1363): Sourcing Electronics for Saudi Arabia & the UK The Type G (BS 1363) plug is required in Saudi Arabia and the UK. Pinout, the mandatory 13A fuse, 220V/60Hz, and what to specify to a China factory.
U
- UKCA Marking: Post-Brexit UK Product Certification UKCA marking for Great Britain electronics: post-Brexit CE phase-out, UK Approved Bodies, RER 2017, and practical compliance steps for Chinese exporters.
- UL Certification: What It Means for China Electronics Exports UL is a US safety certification (an NRTL mark). What UL Listed vs Recognized means, the standards for batteries and chargers, and UL vs ETL/CSA.
- UN 38.3 Battery Testing: 8 Tests, Labs & Doc Requirements UN 38.3 for lithium batteries shipped by air from China: 8 mandatory tests, report ownership, accredited Chinese labs, costs, and documentation failures.
- USB-A, Micro-B & Mini-B Connectors: China Sourcing Reference USB-A, Micro-B and Mini-B connectors from China: mating cycles, counterfeit USB 3.0 detection, Micro-B retention force testing, and key Chinese suppliers.
- USB-C Connectors: China Sourcing Reference USB-C connectors from China: receptacle types, USB4 pinouts, PD 3.1 EPR 240W ratings, gold plating thickness, counterfeit detection, and PCB retention.
W
- Waterproof Circular Connectors: GX & SP Series GX12/GX16/GX20 and SP21 circular connectors from China: IP67/IP68 ratings, current ratings, thread-lock vs bayonet, and clone quality risks vs branded.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Modules: China Sourcing Reference Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E modules from China: Qualcomm QCN9074, MediaTek MT7921, ESP32-C5 for IoT, TWT savings, and FCC/CE 6 GHz certification.
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