Ball Pressure Test
The Ball Pressure Test is used to evaluate the temperature resistance of electrical and electronic materials. The purpose of the test is to determine whether plastic and non-metallic materials deform at high temperatures. This test, often applied to electrical devices to reduce fire hazards, is carried out according to the IEC 60695-10-2 standard.
Test Procedure:
The procedure consists of four main steps:
- Sample Preparation: The material to be tested is properly prepared and placed on a sample holder.
- Ball Application: A 5 mm diameter steel ball is pressed onto the sample with a force of 20 N ± 0.2 N.
- Temperature Setting: The sample is kept at a predetermined temperature, such as 125°C or 200°C, for 1 hour during the test.
- Deformation Control: At the end of the test, the deformation on the sample is examined. The deformation must not exceed specific limits.
Applicable Standards in Turkey:
- TS EN 60695-10-2: Fire hazard test methods. This is the primary standard and details how the test should be applied.
- TS EN 60335-1: Safety requirements for household electrical appliances, which include requirements for materials subject to the ball pressure test.
- TS EN 60695-2-11: Includes fire test methods based on incandescent wire and is typically evaluated alongside this test.
IEC Standards:
- IEC 60695-10-2: This standard defines the procedure for the ball pressure test and is particularly used to measure the heat resistance of electrical equipment’s plastic and insulation materials. The test measures the material’s durability under a 20 N force at 125°C for one hour. The material is considered successful if the resulting indentation does not exceed a 2 mm diameter.
- IEC 60320, IEC 60335, IEC 60598, IEC 60950: Additionally, these tests appear in other standards related to device safety and assess the behavior of materials in high-temperature environments.
EN Standards:
European standards are largely parallel to IEC norms and include EN 60695-10-2, which serves as the key criterion for testing heat resistance in electrical devices within Europe.
UL Standards:
- UL 498, UL 499, UL 507: UL standards include similar ball pressure tests for the safety of electrical equipment and insulation materials. UL 60950-1 also specifies the ball pressure test for the safety of electronic devices, such as IT equipment.
Applications:
- Electrical Devices: Applied to electrical insulation materials, plugs, sockets, fuses, and similar components.
- Lighting Systems: Tests the durability of plastic parts in lamps and luminaires.
- Industrial Equipment: Ensures the safety of machine parts exposed to high temperatures.
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