description: China GB battery codes vs JIS — how Chinese national standard 6-QW model numbers map to JIS N150/N200, and what buyers importing from China need to know. type: article date_published: 2026-08-30 date_modified: 2026-08-31 faq: - q: What is a 6-QW battery number? a: The Chinese national standard (GB) uses codes like "6-QW-150". "6" means 6 cells (12V), "Q" means starting (automotive), "W" means maintenance-free, and the number is the nominal 20-hour capacity in Ah. - q: What Chinese code corresponds to JIS N150? a: A 6-QW-150 (about 150Ah, around 900 CCA) corresponds to the JIS N150 class. A 6-QW-200 (about 200Ah) corresponds to the JIS N200. The dimensions are close but should be verified against your tray. - q: Is a Chinese GB battery the same as a JIS battery? a: Not automatically. The GB code references capacity and construction; the JIS type number (145G51/190H52) defines exact dimensions and terminals. They are broadly equivalent in capacity class but should be cross-checked before substitution. - q: What does the "W" in 6-QW mean? a: "W" indicates a maintenance-free (sealed) battery. "6-QA" indicates a dry-charged conventional battery. This is a useful cue when sourcing from Chinese suppliers. - q: Do I import JIS or GB batteries for my market? a: For JIS markets (Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa), specify JIS N150/N200 to match local vehicles and terminal conventions. GB codes are the domestic Chinese reference; many Chinese exporters list both.
China GB Battery Codes vs JIS: What Importers Need to Know¶
TL;DR — Chinese battery manufacturers often list both a GB (national standard) code and a JIS model. A "6-QW-150" broadly corresponds to the JIS N150 class, and "6-QW-200" to the N200. The GB code tells you capacity and construction; the JIS type number defines exact dimensions and terminals — cross-check before substituting.
Key Takeaways¶
- The GB code is more transparent than JIS — 6-QW-150 decodes to 6 cells (12V), Q=starting, W=maintenance-free and 150Ah, so the capacity is readable straight off the label.
- The CCA mapping is loose, not exact — 6-QW-150 is quoted at ~900A and 6-QW-200 at ~1200A, a 300A spread for "equivalent" classes, so the CCA column is a guide, not a guarantee.
- "Equivalent" doesn't mean identical dimensions — GB footprints are close but not always equal to JIS, and only the type numbers 145G51/190H52 define exact dimensions and terminals.
- 6-QW vs 6-QA is a cost-and-maintenance fork — the "6" means 6 cells (12V) either way, but W (maintenance-free) and A (dry-charged) carry different price points and upkeep.
- JIS N-series, not GB, is the safe spec for JIS markets — N100/N120/N150/N200 is the core commercial range across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, so importers should specify JIS.
Decoding a Chinese GB Code¶
The Chinese national standard battery code is highly transparent. Take 6-QW-150:
| Position | Meaning | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Number of cells (6 × 2V) | 12V battery |
| Q | Function code — Q = starting (automotive) | Starting battery |
| W | Construction — W = maintenance-free | Sealed / maintenance-free |
| 150 | Nominal 20-hour capacity | 150 Ah |
A "6-QA" code means a dry-charged conventional (non-sealed) battery — the "A" signalling a serviceable design rather than maintenance-free.
GB ↔ JIS Cross-Reference¶
Chinese producers serving the heavy-truck export market commonly pair the GB code with the JIS model it replaces:
| GB code | Capacity | Typical CCA | Corresponding JIS class | DINWEYS equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-QW-150 | ~150 Ah | ~900 A | N150 | 145G51 (N150) |
| 6-QW-200 | ~200 Ah | ~1200 A | N200 | 190H52 (N200) |
Verify dimensions and terminals
GB and JIS codes are broadly equivalent in capacity class, but they are not the same specification. The JIS type number (145G51, 190H52) defines exact dimensions and terminal layout. Always cross-check the physical footprint, terminal type and polarity before substituting one for the other.
The two rows hide a clean proportionality. Divide CCA by capacity and both classes land on the same number: 900 A ÷ 150 Ah = 6.0 A/Ah, and 1200 A ÷ 200 Ah = 6.0 A/Ah. The GB code's trailing number therefore carries a fixed 6 A of CCA per Ah across the range. That means the step from the 150 class to the 200 class is +50 Ah of capacity and +300 A of CCA — both +33% (50 ÷ 150 and 300 ÷ 900). So even though the "equivalent" JIS names (N150/N200) read like two separate tiers, the underlying GB numbers scale capacity and CCA in lockstep — which is why a quick "6× capacity" rule of thumb predicts the quoted CCA of either code.
Why This Matters for Importers¶
Many JIS-market buyers source from Chinese factories, where batteries are quoted in GB codes alongside JIS models. Understanding the mapping prevents three common mistakes:
- Ordering the wrong terminal orientation — GB and JIS terminals can differ
- Assuming identical dimensions — the footprints are close but not always equal
- Confusing maintenance-free (W) and serviceable (A) designs — they have different price points and maintenance needs
The JIS Market Reality¶
Across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the JIS N-series is the dominant heavy-truck standard. Furukawa (Japan), along with Chinese producers, all supply N100/N120/N150/N200 as the core commercial range — confirming that JIS is the safe specification for these markets.
Related¶
References¶
- Battery standards cross-reference — AltusVolt
- Battery codes explained: DIN, EN & JIS — Suzuki Battery
- Battery Council International — lead battery technology
Find the Right Battery¶
Need a specific model or datasheet? Browse the DINWEYS product range (JIS heavy-duty batteries) or contact us for a quote.