What is ASTM D6194 Glow wire tester?

Glow-wire tester simulates thermal stress from heat sources to test circuit component flammability, widely used in electronics, appliances, etc. It predicts circuit safety, controls production, and verifies performance. The test applies short-term heat to samples, assessing fire risk by observing light-off states. It measures ignition hazards of materials by burning them at specified temps and pressures.

Application areas of Glow wire tester

It is used in the evaluation of flammability tests and light-off temperature tests for electrical equipment and its components and accessories, as well as solid electrical insulating materials or other solid flammable materials.
It is used for the test of ignition hazard of electronic and electrical products, the evaluation of hot burning performance and the test of high temperature resistance.
It is used to determine the light-off property, light-off temperature, flammability and flammability index of solid insulating materials and other solid combustible materials.
It is used to test flame retardant properties for the insulated enclosure of household appliances, switch panels, printed circuit boards,and insulating materials.
It is applicable to the performance verification of new products, quality control of the production department, and the of material properties for the third-party testing organization, the product performance verification laboratory, and the quality and technical supervisiondepartment, etc.

Glow wire tester execution standard

ASTM D 6194-03: Standard Test Method for Glow-Wire Ignition of Materials
ASTM D6194: Standard Test Method for Glow-Wire Ignition of Materials
IEC 60695-2-10:2021: ：Fire hazard testing - Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure
IEC 60335: Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety
IEC60695-2-1: Fire hazard testing - Part 2-1: Test methods - Section 1: Glow-wire test methods - General
IEC60695-2-10: Fire hazard testing - Part 2-10: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure
IEC60695-2-11: Fire hazard testing - Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
IEC60695-2-12: Fire hazard testing - Part 2-12: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire flammability index (GWFI) test method for materials
IEC60695-2-13: Fire hazard testing - Part 2-13: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow-wire ignition temperature (GWIT) test method for materials
UL 746 A: Standard for Polymeric Materials - Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations
VDE 0620: Electrical Appliances - Safety Requirements for Household and Similar Purposes
GB/T 5169.10-2006: Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products - Part 10: Glow-wire test method - General
EC 60695-2-10-2013: Fire hazard testing for Electrical and electronic products -- Part 10: Glowing-wire/ Hot-wire based test method, Glowing-wire apparatus and common test procedure.
GB/T 5169.11-2006/IEC 60695-2-11-2000: Fire hazard testing for Electrical and electronic products -- Part 11: Glowing-wire/Hot wire basic test method, Glowing-wire flammability test method for finished products.
GB/T 5169.12-2006/IEC 60695-2-12-2000: Electrical and electronic products ,Part 12: Glowing- wire/Hot-wire based test method, Glowing-wire flammability index (GWFI) test method for materials.
GB/T 5169.13-2006/IEC 60695-2-13-2000: Electrical and electronic products ,Part 13: Glowing- wire/Hot wire basic test method, Glowing-wire flammability (GWFI) test method.

Technical features of Glow wire tester

Transparent safety door
The heat-resistant glass observation window allows the test to be observed at any time during the test while keeping the test free from external environmental disturbances.
Automatic heating, illumination, exhaust device
Glowing-wire automatic heating timing, equipped with automatic control of the glowing-wire contact position, precise control, convenient and reliable, and the test device is equipped with lighting and exhaust.
Intelligent touch screen control panel
The microcomputer control system is more efficient and reliable, and the programmable 7-inch color LCD touch screen realizes various functions such as control, detection, calculation and data display.
Stepping motor control - accurate moving speed
The moving speed of the sample is controlled by high-end stepping, which has high precision and long service life. In addition, the test device is equipped with flame ruler, and the flame height can be observed at any time during the test.
Sample rack dis-assembly type design
The sample holder of the test device can be removed for loading and cleaning,and it use physical pressure, which has precise pressure,convenient operation and high efficiency.

Technical parameters of Glow wire tester

Enclosure: It is equipped with observation window, inner black fireproof material coating.	special standard ring, horizontal static Temperature sensing delay : 1.7S
Control screen: Intelligent touch Observation window: transparent	Transformer parameters: 500VA, secondary: 2.5V, 150A Sample load: 1.0N ± 0.1N
Test speed: 10mm/s ~~25mm/sadjustable	Glowing depth: 0~9mm can be preset
End of test: buzzer sounds, test piece automatically detaches	which is controlled by high-precision steppermotor. Glowing time: 0~99s
Test cabinet size: 885mmX580 mm× 1000 mm	Effective volume ofthe test area : ≥0.5m3
Pressure limiting depth: 7mm	Exhaust pipe diameter: 100mm
Testtemperature: room temperature~999C (adjustable)	Physical dimension: 1000mm×650mm×1250mm
Glowing-wire material: ¢4mm, Ni/Cr (80/20),	Weight: 90kg
Temperature measuring element: armored K-type thermocouple(¢0.5mm), -200~1300C, precision 1C	Power supply: 220V 50Hz

Glow wire tester operation procedure

The operating procedure for the hot-wire test apparatus includes the following steps:
Checking the instrument: Turn on the power switch and check if the instrument is functioning properly.
Setting the temperature: Adjust the temperature to the required test temperature and wait until the temperature display shows the desired temperature.
Starting the test: Press the start button to begin the test.
Observing the test sample: Observe the residue dropped from the test sample during combustion.  Press the stop button immediately when the sample stops burning.
Recording the results: Record the flame height during combustion. At the end of the test, press the exhaust button to remove the smoke.
Cleaning the equipment: Turn off the power switch, remove the test sample, record the test results, clean the dirt inside the chamber, close the exhaust vent, and turn off the main power switch.
These steps ensure the accuracy and safety of the hot-wire test apparatus. Operators should receive regular training to ensure the reliability and comparability of the test results.

Core Advantages of the Glow Wire Tester

High-Precision Temperature Control and Calibration
The equipment adopts K-type armored thermocouples (such as NiCr/NiAl) combined with PID temperature control technology. The temperature range can reach 300–1100°C, with a control accuracy of ±2°C, which is superior to the standard requirement of ±10°C. Calibration is performed using the 960±15°C silver foil melting method, ensuring excellent repeatability and comparability of test results.
Automated and Intelligent Operation
Modern glow wire testers are generally equipped with PLC + touch screen systems or microcomputer-based controllers, supporting one-button operation and automatic recording of ignition time (Ti), flame extinguishing time (Te), and glow application time (Ta). The system can also automatically generate test reports, significantly reducing human error.
Compliance with International and National Standards
The equipment is designed in strict accordance with IEC 60695-2-10 and the equivalent Chinese standard GB/T 5169.10. making it suitable for major global safety certifications such as CCC, CE, and UL, while ensuring product compliance and testing consistency.
Comprehensive Safety Protection
The tester is equipped with features such as high-temperature resistant observation windows, dark background chambers, independent smoke exhaust systems, over-temperature protection, and automatic specimen release devices, ensuring operator safety and maintaining a clean testing environment.
Wide Range of Applications
It can be used to evaluate the flame-retardant performance of various electrical and electronic materials and components, including plastics, insulating materials, connectors, housings, and PCB substrates. It is widely applied in industries such as home appliances, automotive, medical devices, lighting, and low-voltage electrical equipment.
Support for Multiple Test Parameters
In addition to finished-product glow wire flammability testing (GWT), the equipment can also determine the Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) and Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI), providing quantitative data support for material development and quality control.
Significant Improvement in Testing Efficiency
New-generation equipment can reach 960°C within 20 minutes, compared with over 40 minutes required by older models. Features such as automatic contact pressure control and automatic data export improve overall testing efficiency by approximately 50%.
Environmentally Friendly and Durable Design
The chamber is made of 304 stainless steel or treated with corrosion-resistant baking paint for enhanced durability. The glow wire can be quickly replaced, and some models are equipped with automatic cleaning brushes, extending service life and reducing maintenance costs.

Conclusion

In summary, the glow wire tester offers significant advantages in terms of accuracy, safety, automation, compliance, and versatility. It is an indispensable testing instrument for ensuring the fire safety performance of electrical and electronic products.