What Are The Common Test Items for Electric Kettle Inspection? (Updated)

Most of Electric Kettles Made in China

Updated on Apr 25. 2021

In a modern electric kettle, the heating element is typically fully enclosed, with a power rating of 2–3 kW at 220V. In countries with 110V mains electricity, the electric kettles may be less powerful (1–1.5 kW) to avoid drawing too much current and requiring a very thick supply wire.

In modern designs, once the water has reached boiling point, the electric kettle automatically deactivates, preventing the water from boiling away and damaging the heating element.

A bimetallic strip thermostat is commonly used as the automatic shut-off mechanism. The thermostat is isolated from the water in the kettle and is instead heated by the steam created when the water boils, which is directed through a duct onto the bimetallic strip. This allows the thermostat to be coarsely calibrated, which in turn allows the water kettle to function normally at a wide range of altitudes.

A consequence of this design is that the water kettle may fail to deactivate if the lid is left open, due to an insufficient amount of steam being ducted onto the bimetallic strip.

The electric kettle is also one of the common products manufactured in China, supplier provides many different water kettles at different prices, materials also included plastic, stainless steel, glass, metal, ceramic or other material,

Now you can see some famous brands in the market like KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Oster, Breville, Hamilton Beach, Delonghi, Black&Decker, etc.

For best electric kettle here is an interesting article just for your reference: The Best Electric Kettle by SweetHome Feb 23 2016

For the kettle suppliers in China, you can search them on Globalsources.com or Alibaba.com

What Are The Common Test Items for Electric Kettle Inspection?

1. Hi-Pot test (High voltage test):

Test the samples by setting the tester parameter to 1500V/0.5mA/1S, with no breakdown or flashover

2. Running Test

Poured purified water into Max level, for 4 hours, no functional problem

3. Power cord strain relief test

Europe standard: 25times, for 2s, displacement≤2mm with pull force: 30N (≤1kg), 60N(1-4kg) or 100N (﹥4kg)m

USA Standard: 35pounds, for 1min, displacement≤2mm.

4. Earth continuity check

Standard；12V, 1.5times of rated current or 25A( whichever is greater), not exceed 0.1Ω, no breakdown or flashover

5. Power cord length check

According to specification

6. Internal check for workmanship

No missing part, No wrong wiring, No wire exposed, compare the components with CDF

7. Rub check

Use cotton dripped with water, rub the marking on the rating label, and silk-screen printing or electro-plating by hand for 15 seconds, Marking is clear after the rub, no peel off or lite upward on the rating label.

8. 3M Tape check

Use the 3M (600) gummed tape to paste the total cover the printing or electro-plating, peel the tape at 90°±30° rapidly. Marking shall be clear after the test, with no peel-off on plating.

9. Boil time check with water filled in.

Poured purified water into Max level, then input rated voltage and switch on, measured boiling water temperature (center position) after steam switched off, and record actual data into the report. No sudden jets or hot water spouts, the lid does not fall, and no large water drops form on the handle or down onto the base. Must shut off after reaching the boiling point

10. Dry boil test

Switch on the unit without water filling, the thermostat should work without melting or burning, or other safety issues, and the unit must be restarted after the reset device is cooling and sufficiently

11. Barcode readability check, QR Test

Use a scanner to check if the scan result matches with specification

12. Power consumption check

Plug the kettle and waiting for the 30s, then check the input power. The data shall be less than +5% of rated power and more than -10% of rated power

13. Power On check

No functional problem for 4 hours, then hi-pot test and function test shall be conducted, and all results shall be acceptable

14. Stability test

Place the product in the most unfavorable position under normal use 15-degree incline. The kettle shall not tip over or overturn

15. Fuse inside plug (for BS)

Approved BS 1363 plug, correct wiring, no loose strands& wire, no solders, terminal screws, plug screw, and fuse holder were secure

16. Transportation Drop Carton Check

Drop the cartons for one corner, three edges, six sides, at height of 30inch (﹤9.5kg), 24inch (9.5kg～18.6kg), 18inch (18.6kg～27.7kg), 12inch (27.7kg～45.3kg) , 8inch (45.3kg～68kg) on the cement floor. the products should be no functional problem, no safety problem, no crack, and no unit drop out of the carton.

17. CE/RoHs, WEEE labels

18. Color Checked with specification or samples

19. Full Function Check

The full function check includes the functions that can be inspected only after being fully assembled.

All of the intended functions specified in the instruction manual should be operated and checked, and all should work properly as intended. Such as installation/assembly, adjusting, switch/knob action check, setting, other actual using function, etc., and all of the functions should be comply with the spec.

20. Coating Adhesive Tape test

21. Jug body 360-degree rotation check

The fixing system of the handle shall bear a bending stress force of 100N(applied on (each) handle) for 1 minute. Or The assemblies of the handle must support a weight equal to 2 times the weight of the water capacity of the unit plus the weight of any cover intended for use with the unit for 1 minute. No failure of the securing system after testing, i.e., rivets, welds, etc.

22. Capacity check

The capacity should be complied with the requirement or within +/-5% of the specification.

23. Handle strength check

24. Smell check

Pour tap water into Min. level and input rated voltage and check if product emitted bad smell from hot water/body during brewing.

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• Homeware | Kitchenware Inspection in China & Asia
• Product Expertise

Author: AQI Service as a professional quality control service company in China specialized in providing a complete range of quality inspection and testing certification services in China & Asia for global importers, buyers, retailers, and sellers.