IEC 60695 Glow Wire Test for Evaluating Heat and Fire Resistance in Insulating Materials

What application of Glow wire tester?

Glow wire tester is a widely used method for assessing the flammability of plastic sheets or components. This testing procedure involves subjecting the test sample to a specified high temperature load within a defined time frame.

The glow wire test is a physical thermal testing test method for plastics. It belongs to the IEC 60695 series of standards “Tests for the assessment of fire hazard” and includes the standard parts 2-10, 2-11, 2-12, and 2-13.

What standard does glow wire tester fully meet?

• IEC 60695-2-10 focuses on glow wire test equipment and the general test method. The requirements outlined in this standard have been incorporated into EN 60695-2-10, DIN EN 60695-2-10, and VDE 0471-2-10.

• IEC 60695-2-11 concentrates on tests using the glow wire for assessing the flammability of end products (GWEPT). The requirements specified in the IEC standard have been included in EN 60695-2-11, DIN EN 60695-2-11, and VDE 0471-2-11.

• IEC 60695-2-12 involves testing with the glow wire to assess the flammability of materials (GWFI). The requirements outlined in the IEC standard have been integrated into EN 60695-2-12, DIN EN 60695-2-12, and VDE 0471-2-12.

•  IEC 60695-2-13 focuses on tests with the glow wire to evaluate the flammability of materials (GWIT). The requirements outlined in the IEC standard have been incorporated into EN 60695-2-13, DIN EN 60695-2-13, and VDE 0471-2-13.

How does the glow wire tester working?

During the glow wire test, precise measurements are taken of the ignition start and end times, as well as the height of the flame. In addition, the test sample is allowed to drip onto a designated layer placed beneath it, but without causing ignition.

Glow wire tests following the IEC 60695-2-11 standard are specifically carried out on end products. In these tests, the individual plastic components of the product are tested separately.

Annex A of the standards provides detailed information on the specific test requirements for certain product standards through a test sequence diagram. Conducting glow wire tests on the final product is considered the preferred method of testing, as these tests yield definitive results on the flammability of the plastic parts formed during the manufacturing process.

In some cases, certain product standards have modified test temperature and duration requirements, necessitating multiple glow wire tests for certain end products.

The glow wire tester according to IEC 60695-2-12 are conducted on plastic plates of varying thicknesses. These tests aim to allow material manufacturers to demonstrate the quality of their plastic materials. The results of these tests aid in simplifying the selection process for final processing in the finished product.

Similarly, the glow wire tests according to IEC 60695-2-13 are performed on plastic plates of different thicknesses, with the objective of enabling material manufacturers to provide evidence of the quality of their plastic materials. These results are instrumental in facilitating the selection of materials for the final processing stage of the finished product.

Conclusion

The glow wire ignition temperature (GWIT) and glow wire flammability index (GWFI) test results are frequently required as comprehensive evidence. However, the specific requirements for these tests vary depending on the individual product standards. Some product standards accept the proof of GWIT and GWFI as alternatives to GWEPT tests. In such cases, it is crucial to ensure that the thicknesses of the material plates used in the tests match those of the final product.

Testing insulating materials serves the purpose of safeguarding individuals from the potentially harmful effects on their bodies and ensuring the safe operation of the end products.

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