Glow Wire Test Apparatus: Key Testing for the Stability of Electronic Electrical Products

Overview

Glow Wire Testing is a crucial method for evaluating the stability of electronic appliances during operation. By simulating high-temperature conditions resulting from electrical faults, this test assesses the fire resistance and tolerance of product materials.

Composition and Operation of the Glow Wire
The glow wire is a fixed-specification resistive wire loop. During the test, the glow wire is heated to a specified temperature through electrical heating. The heated tip of the glow wire contacts the test sample for a standard period. Subsequently, the sample’s condition after contact with high temperatures is observed and measured to evaluate its heat resistance and fire performance.

Importance of the Test

Safety is a paramount concern in the household appliance industry. Electrical wiring systems may lead to plastic material combustion due to current overload or short circuits caused by mishandling. Therefore, various fire resistance requirements have been established to assess and determine the flammability levels of materials used in appliances. Glow Wire Testing is one of the significant fire resistance tests adopted by the household appliance industry today.

Test Procedure and Scope

The specific test scope and procedures for Glow Wire Testing depend on applicable standards and regulations. For example:

• Household Appliances: Evaluate the burning behavior of plastic materials under conditions of current overload or short circuits, ensuring materials possess sufficient fire resistance for practical use.
• Electronic Products: Test the heat resistance of enclosures and internal components to reduce the risk of fires.
• Industrial Equipment: Ensure equipment stability and safety in high-temperature environments.

What is a Glow Wire Test Apparatus?

A Glow Wire Test Apparatus is an essential device used to evaluate the flame-retardant performance of electrical products such as switches and sockets. It primarily assesses the flame resistance characteristics of materials and finished products to ensure their safety performance when encountering high temperatures or ignition sources.

These standards specify the “Glow Wire Test Methods,” applicable to the fire hazard testing of electrical and electronic products, household appliances, and their materials. By simulating thermal stresses generated by heating elements or overload resistors in a short period, the fire resistance of products is evaluated.

Components of the Test Machine

Glow Wire Test Apparatuses mainly consist of two parts: the control unit and the test chamber:

Control Unit

• Power switch: Controls the power supply to the test machine.
• Start and stop buttons: Control the start and end of the test process.
• Direction control keys: Adjust the direction of movement of the glow wire.
• Ti pause key, Te pause key: Used to record the ignition time (Ti) and flame extinction time (Te).
• Reset button: Resets the system status.
• Exhaust fan: Ensures smooth airflow inside the test chamber during the test.
• Heating and lighting buttons: Control the heating and lighting systems.
• Current protection device: Prevents equipment damage from overcurrent.
• Heating current meter, current adjustment knob: Monitor and adjust the heating current.
• Glow wire temperature gauge: Displays the temperature of the glow wire.
• Ta, Ti, Te timers: Record and display the corresponding time parameters.

Test Chamber

• Thermocouple: Measures the temperature of the glow wire.
• U-shaped glow wire head: Heats up and contacts the test sample.
• Sample cart: Places and moves the test sample.
• Pressure method code, rollers, limit mechanism, positioning mechanism: Ensure the accurate position and pressure of the sample during the test.
• Metal wire – code towing trolley: Adjusts and controls the position and pressure of the sample.
• Exhaust holes: Ensure exhaust of waste gas during the test.

Key Functions of the Glow Wire Test Machine

As a critical equipment for evaluating the flame resistance performance of electrical products, Glow Wire Test Machines have the following main functions:

Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI) Determination: Glow Wire Test Machines can be used to determine the Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI) of materials, evaluating the combustion performance of materials under heated conditions. The main assessment criteria include:

• Ignition status of the test sample: Observe whether the test sample ignites.
• Flame or glow wire extinction time: Within a certain time after moving the glow wire, observe whether the flame or glow wire can self-extinguish within the specified time.
• Combustion of wrapping tissue: Check whether the wrapping tissue ignites during the test.
• If the test sample meets the above conditions, record the corresponding test temperature as the Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI) result.

Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) Determination: Glow Wire Test Machines can also be used to determine the Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) of materials, evaluating the ignition temperature of materials under heated conditions. The assessment criteria include:

• Ignition temperature of the test sample: Record the ignition temperature of the test sample under the action of the glow wire.
• Results of three consecutive tests: If the test sample does not ignite in three consecutive tests, record the high temperature at the top of the glow wire and calculate the Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT).

Conclusion

In household appliance products, safety is paramount. Fire resistance directly impacts the safety of products. The glow wire test apparatus effectively evaluates the flammability index (GWFI) and the ignition temperature (GWIT) of materials, enabling the efficient testing of the fire resistance of electrical product materials. If the fire resistance of the material is poor, products are prone to malfunctions or fire hazards due to overload, thus compromising product safety. Therefore, the glow wire test is one of the crucial methods for assessing the fire resistance of electrical products.

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