What Is a Single Cable Vertical Flame Tester ?

As an essential component of modern electrical systems, wires and cables are widely used in various fields such as construction, transportation, communication, and power industries. However, in actual applications, once a fire occurs, the combustion performance of cables can directly affect the speed of fire spread and the safety of personnel. Therefore, testing the flame retardant performance of cables is of great importance.Single Cable Vertical Flame Tester is used for the vertical flame propagation of a single insulated wire or cable is a bench scale test to determine the resistance of a single cable to a 1kW flame application. It conforms to IEC60332-1-2 (flame propagation) and IEC60332-1-3 (test for flaming droplets).

Application

G233 Fabric vertical combustion tester is mainly used to evaluate the combustion characteristics of plastics and other non-metallic materials in fire. It is suitable for lighting equipment, low-voltage electrical appliances, household appliances, machine tools,electrical tools, electronic instruments, electrical instruments, electrical connectors and accessories and other electrical and electronic products and components of the research,production and quality inspection departments, but also suitable for insulation materials,engineering plastics or other solid combustible materials industry. In addition, it can also be used by the plastics industry, inspection departments and scientific research institutions.

Standards

GB/T 2408-2008: Plastics - Determination of burning characteristics - Horizontal and vertical test

GB/T 5455: Textiles - Burning behaviour - Determination of damaged length, afterglow time and afterflame time of vertically oriented specimens

GB/T 13488: Rubber - Determination of the burning behaviour of vertical specimens

GB/T 5169.16-2008: Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products - Part 16: Test flames - 50W horizontal and vertical flame test methods

GB/T 8332-2008: Test method for flammability of cellular plastics - Horizontal burning method

GB/T 5169.17-2008: Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products - Part 17: Test flames - 500W flame test methods

ASTM D4804: Test Methods for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics

ISO 1210: Plastics - Determination of the burning behaviour of horizontal and vertical specimens in contact with a small-flame ignition source

ISO 9772: Cellular plastics - Determination of horizontal burning characteristics of small specimens subjected to a small flame

ISO 9773: Plastics - Determination of burning behaviour of thin flexible vertical specimens in contact with a small-flame ignition source

IEC 60332-1-1~3:2004: Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions - Part 1-1~3: Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable

Parameter

Technical Parameters

1.Stainless steel box, the height of 1300mm, width of 300mm, depth of 450mm.

2.Two stainless steel rods, can bind single wire cable or optical cable sample.

3.1KW mixed standard burner, can provide the standard test fire source.

4.Regulating gas and air flow rate of the rotor flow meters.

5.Pressure gauge and pressure relief valve to ensure that the pressure output is 0.1MPA.

Test Procedures

Prepare the cable to be tested and plug in the power cord, then turn on the power switch.

1.Secure the product to the fixed crossbar, adjust the height of the marking ruler, place the filter paper under the burning product, and turn on the gas (or propane gas) and compressed air. Set the burning time to the required number of seconds according to the cable diameter and standard settings. Tap the touchscreen to ignite, adjust the gas flow meter and air flow meter, and use the gauge to adjust the flame height: blue flame 50-60mm, outer flame 170-190mm.

2. Determine the number of burns required. Set the counter to 1 for one burn cycle.  The cycle will automatically stop after completion. For two burns, set the counter to 2. Press the black dot next to the counter to reset. The burning cycle will continue until the set number of times is reached and then automatically stop. Adjust the position of the Bunsen burner to ensure it is burning the product. Press the touchscreen to start the test or press the foot switch (automatic ignition). The burning time starts counting. When the burning time is complete, the Bunsen burner automatically extinguishes and the afterglow time begins. The test is complete after the afterglow time.

3. After the test, check the condition of the product.

4. Finally, press the exhaust button to vent the test exhaust gas outside.

Advantages of the Single Cable Vertical Flame Tester

The main advantages of the Single Cable Vertical Flame Tester are reflected in its high testing accuracy, automated control, safety and reliability, as well as comprehensive compliance with international testing standards.

1. High Accuracy and Reliability

High-Precision Control:

The tester is equipped with a precise gas flow control system, which allows accurate adjustment of flame height and keeps the deviation within a very small range, ensuring stable and reliable test conditions.

Accurate Timing and Temperature Monitoring:

The high-precision timing system ensures accurate measurement of burning duration and flame persistence time. Some models are equipped with automatic temperature monitoring systems, effectively reducing human operation errors and improving the repeatability and accuracy of test results.

Standardized Flame Source:

The equipment adopts a standard 1kW premixed flame that complies with IEC and national standard requirements, providing a consistent and standardized testing environment.

2. Automation and Intelligent Operation

Fully Automated Testing Process:

The tester supports automatic ignition, automatic timing, and automatic termination of the test flame, simplifying operation procedures and improving testing efficiency.

Data Processing Capability:

The equipment can automatically record burning time and after-flame time. Some advanced models can also automatically calculate and display test results such as final char length, significantly improving data processing efficiency and reducing manual calculation errors.

3. Structural Design and Safety Performance

Durable and Corrosion-Resistant Design:

The interior of the test chamber is generally made of stainless steel, providing excellent resistance to smoke and combustion gas corrosion. The chamber often adopts non-reflective materials, making it easier to observe the combustion process.

Safe Exhaust System:

The tester is equipped with an efficient ventilation and smoke exhaust system, which can safely and promptly remove combustion-generated gases, ensuring laboratory safety and protecting operators.

4. Compliance with International Standards

Authoritative Testing Capability:

The tester accurately simulates the flame propagation characteristics and falling of burning droplets of a single vertical electrical wire or cable under actual fire conditions, providing reliable evaluation of flame resistance performance.

Wide Range of Applications:

The equipment complies with multiple international and national standards, including IEC, UL, and GB standards, making it suitable for product development, quality control, certification testing, and third-party inspection requirements.

Overall, the Single Cable Vertical Flame Tester provides reliable, efficient, and standardized testing solutions for evaluating the flame-retardant performance of wires and cables, helping manufacturers improve product safety and ensure compliance with global safety requirements.

FAQ

1. What is this product?

A tester for evaluating vertical flame propagation of single insulated wires and cables under controlled laboratory conditions.

2. What is this product used for?

To measure the flame resistance, afterflame, and afterglow behavior of single cables and insulation materials.

3. What is the working principle of this product?

The sample is exposed to a controlled flame while sensors and timers measure combustion behavior, flame height, and afterglow.

4. Why is this product important?

It ensures electrical cables meet fire safety standards, preventing potential hazards in industrial and residential environments.

5. What industries is this product suitable for?

Electrical appliance manufacturing, cable production, plastics and insulation material testing, and safety certification laboratories.