IEC 60695-11-5 Fire Hazard Testing - Part 11-5: Test Flames - Needle Flame Test Method - Device, Confirmatory Test Arrangement and Guidance

In the IEC 60695-11-5 standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a needle flame test method is defined to simulate the effect of a small flame caused by fault conditions to assess the fire hazard with a simulation technique. The results of this test are used as elements of a fire hazard assessment that takes into account all factors relevant to the fire hazard assessment of a particular end use. This test method is applicable to electrotechnical equipment, its subassemblies and components, and solid electrical insulating materials or other combustible materials.

The main changes made in the last update of this standard are:

• The scope has been expanded to allow this test method to also simulate the effects of small flames from outside the equipment.
• Propane and butane gas is the specified fuel source with a minimum purity of 95 percent.
• A new concept has been added that allows the burner to be moved during testing to prevent dripping material from falling onto the end of the burner tube.
• Burner tube material is now a referenced resource.
• The reference of the copper block material has been changed. A new description is now used and informative Annex C and a bibliography have been added to the standard. This essential safety publication is intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of standards in accordance with the principles set out in IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51.

The best method of testing electrotechnical products for fire hazard is to precisely replicate the conditions that occur in practice. However, in most cases this is not possible. For practical reasons, testing of electrotechnical products for fire hazard is best carried out by simulating as close as possible the real effects that occur in practice.

Parts of electrotechnical equipment can be subjected to extreme thermal stress due to electrical effects. This is a malfunction that compromises the safety of the equipment.may cause an alarm. Such parts must not be unduly affected by heat or fire within the equipment.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides needle flame testing services, among fire hazard tests, within the scope of IEC 60695-11-5 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.