IEC 60695.

Fire Hazard Testing for Electrotechnical Products

IEC 60695 is the multi-part standard for assessing fire hazards of electrotechnical products. Key methods include the glow-wire test (60695-2-10/11/12/13) and needle-flame test (60695-11-5).

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About this standard.

About IEC 60695

IEC 60695 provides standardised methods for assessing the fire hazard characteristics of electrotechnical products and materials. The series helps manufacturers verify that ignition sources from internal electrical faults do not propagate fire to surroundings.

Main test families

Two test categories are widely cited in product certification: the glow-wire family, which simulates thermal stress from overheated current-carrying parts, and the needle-flame family, which represents a small ignition source from a malfunctioning component.

Cross-references

IEC 60695 methods are invoked by many product safety standards including IEC 60598 (luminaires), IEC 60884 (plugs and socket-outlets), IEC 60335 (household appliances), and IEC 60601 (medical equipment).

Equipment required

Glow-wire test apparatus (loop temperature 550–960 °C)
Needle-flame test apparatus (calibrated 12 mm flame)
Material flammability conditioning chamber
Specimen positioning and ignition timing systems

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Test methods.

IEC 60695-2-10Glow-wire apparatus and general test procedureDefines the glow-wire test apparatus geometry and the general procedure for applying the heated loop.

IEC 60695-2-11Glow-wire flammability test for end-products (GWEPT)Applies the glow-wire procedure to complete electrotechnical products.

IEC 60695-2-12Glow-wire flammability index (GWFI) for materialsDetermines the temperature at which a material first ignites or does not ignite.

IEC 60695-2-13Glow-wire ignition temperature (GWIT) for materialsDetermines the highest temperature at which a material does not ignite under prescribed conditions.

IEC 60695-11-5Needle-flame test methodSmall flame ignition source simulating localised internal faults in equipment.

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