Introduction to IEC 60332-1-2
EN 60332-1-2 (IEC 60332-1-2) evaluates the fire performance of cables by flame spread and is the basis for European fire rating classifications (such as Aca, B1ca, B2ca, Cca, Dca, Eca). In the EU, the Building Products Regulation requires building products to carry the CE mark, and cable products need to pass the EN 50575 standard test to obtain CE certification. EN 60332-1-2 is a key link in evaluating the fire performance of wires and cables in EN 50575, and is of great importance in ensuring the safe and stable operation of the entire electrical system.
Scope of application of IEC 60332-1-2
Power cables: Insulated wires and cables used for power supply, etc.
Control and communication cables: Metallic conductor wires, symmetrical cables and coaxial cables used for telecommunications, data transmission, radio frequency, video communications, and signal and control equipment, etc.
Optical cables: Used for telecommunications, data transmission, radio frequency, video communications, and signal and control equipment, etc.
IEC 60332-1-2 Test Setup Description
(1) Metal cover:
Height (1200 ± 25) mm, width (300 ± 25) mm, depth (450 ± 25) mm, open front, closed top and bottom.
(2) Ignition source:
The ignition source should comply with the provisions of the standard and confirm the test flame.
(3) Test chamber:
The metal cover and ignition source should be placed in a suitable test chamber. There should be no ventilation during the test, but equipped with a device to remove harmful gases released during combustion. The temperature of the test chamber should be maintained at (23 ± 10) °C.
IEC 60332-1-2 Test Method
- Prepare a 600 mm single cable sample and ensure it is vertical.
- Turn on the propane cylinder and air pump switch, and adjust the propane flow and air flow to meet the requirements of IEC 60332-1 standard.
- Ignite and measure the inner length and total length of the flame with a flame height measuring ruler to confirm that the flame meets the requirements of IEC 60332-1 standard.
- Place the single cable sample in the experimental device on two horizontal brackets with a spacing of 550 mm.
- Ignite and burn the cable sample for 60 seconds.
- After the flame on the sample is extinguished, turn on the exhaust fan to extract the exhaust gas in the box.
- Measure the carbonization and combustion distance between the starting point and the lower edge of the upper bracket.
