TESTech TTech-GBT18380A Single-Wire Vertical Flame Propagation Test Chamber
| Brand | TESTech |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jiangsu, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Model | TTech-GBT18380A |
| Compliance | IEC 60332-1-1:2004, GB/T 18380.11–2008, EN 50086-1:1994 |
| Chamber Dimensions (W×D×H) | 600 × 450 × 1250 mm |
| Internal Combustion Cavity | 300 × 450 × 1200 mm |
| Burner | Premixed propane/air burner, Ø12 ± 0.5 mm, L ≈ 100 mm, rated thermal output 1 kW |
| Flame Height Adjustment | Precision needle valve, blue flame height 50–60 mm, total flame height 170–190 mm |
| Ignition Angle | Adjustable 0° or 45° |
| Gas Supply | Propane ≥95% purity, regulated pressure 0.1 MPa, equipped with flowmeter and pressure regulator |
| Timing Resolution | 0.1 s, programmable exposure duration 0–99 min 99 s |
| Control System | Touchscreen HMI with embedded microcontroller, auto-ignition, auto-timing, data logging |
| Construction | Full 304 stainless steel chamber body |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Power Supply | AC 220 V ±10 V, 50/60 Hz, 3 A |
Overview
The TESTech TTech-GBT18380A Single-Wire Vertical Flame Propagation Test Chamber is an engineered solution for evaluating the flame retardancy of insulated electrical wires and optical cables under controlled vertical orientation conditions. It operates in accordance with the fundamental principle of vertical flame propagation testing—exposing a vertically suspended single-core specimen to a defined premixed propane/air flame for a specified duration, then assessing post-ignition behavior including flame spread distance, afterflame time, afterglow time, and droplet ignition potential. This test method directly reflects real-world fire initiation scenarios where overheating or short-circuit faults induce localized thermal degradation of insulation materials. Designed to meet the strict dimensional, thermal, and procedural requirements of IEC 60332-1-1:2004 and its national adoption GB/T 18380.11–2008, the system provides reproducible, auditable, and standards-compliant performance essential for QC laboratories, cable manufacturers, and third-party certification bodies operating under ISO/IEC 17025 frameworks.
Key Features
- Integrated touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI) with dual-language support (English/Chinese, configurable), enabling intuitive setup, real-time monitoring, and automated sequence execution.
- Premixed 1 kW propane/air burner with precision-machined nozzle (Ø12 ± 0.5 mm), delivering stable, repeatable flame geometry and thermal flux required by IEC 60332-1-1.
- Adjustable burner tilt angle (0° or 45°) and calibrated flame-height gauge ensure accurate alignment per standard-defined flame impingement geometry.
- Full 304 stainless steel combustion chamber (internal cavity: 300 × 450 × 1200 mm) resists thermal oxidation and chemical corrosion during repeated high-temperature cycles.
- Automated ignition sequence, programmable flame application time (0–99:99 min:sec), and synchronized digital timing eliminate manual intervention and reduce operator-induced variability.
- Dual stainless-steel mounting rods with threaded fixation accommodate rigid or semi-rigid single-core specimens up to 600 mm in length, ensuring consistent vertical alignment and minimal mechanical disturbance during testing.
- Integrated gas control subsystem featuring industrial-grade needle valve, digital pressure regulator, and certified flowmeter enables traceable, repeatable fuel-air mixture delivery at 0.1 MPa nominal pressure.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TTech-GBT18380A is validated for single-conductor insulated cables and optical fiber cables meeting diameter and stiffness constraints typical of standards-compliant specimens (e.g., conductor cross-section ≤ 0.5 mm², outer diameter ≤ 15 mm). It supports testing per IEC 60332-1-1, -1-2, and -1-3 (collectively referenced as “Part 1” series), as well as GB/T 18380.11–2008, GB/T 18380.12–2008, and EN 50086-1:1994. While not designed for multi-cable bundle tests (e.g., IEC 60332-3 series), its chamber geometry and burner specification align with Clause 8.2 of IEC 60332-1-1 regarding flame source calibration and specimen positioning. The system architecture facilitates audit readiness for GLP and GMP environments through deterministic control logic, timestamped event logs, and non-volatile parameter storage—features aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 expectations for electronic records integrity when configured with user-access controls and audit trail functionality.
Software & Data Management
The embedded microcontroller firmware executes closed-loop test sequencing without external PC dependency. All critical events—including ignition confirmation, flame-on timestamp, flame-off timestamp, afterflame termination, and system fault alerts—are logged with millisecond-resolution timestamps into internal flash memory. Export is supported via USB interface in CSV format for traceability and integration into LIMS or QA documentation systems. Optional firmware upgrades enable extended reporting templates compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8.2 (reporting of test results), including automatic calculation of pass/fail status against GB/T 18380.11–2008 acceptance criteria (e.g., charred length ≤ 1.5 m; afterflame ≤ 60 s; no flaming droplets igniting surgical cotton). No proprietary software installation is required for basic operation; configuration and diagnostics are fully accessible via the onboard HMI.
Applications
This test chamber serves core quality assurance functions across the wire and cable supply chain: raw material screening of polyolefin, PVC, LSZH, and fluoropolymer insulation compounds; in-process verification during extrusion line qualification; final product release testing prior to UL, CCC, or CE marking; and root-cause analysis of field failures involving thermal runaway or arc-induced ignition. Its compliance with internationally harmonized fire-test methodology makes it suitable for interlaboratory comparison studies and regulatory submission dossiers requiring standardized flame resistance evidence. Laboratories performing certification to EN 50575 (construction products CPR) or IEC 60584-2 (nuclear-grade cables) may utilize this system as a primary or secondary reference apparatus for single-wire evaluation subsets.
FAQ
Does the TTech-GBT18380A comply with both IEC 60332-1-1 and GB/T 18380.11–2008?
Yes—the chamber dimensions, burner specifications, gas supply parameters, and procedural automation fully satisfy the technical requirements of both standards, which are technically equivalent.
Can the system be used for testing optical fiber cables?
Yes, provided the cable meets the physical constraints defined in IEC 60332-1-1 (e.g., diameter, rigidity, and mounting compatibility), and the jacket material is the subject of flame propagation assessment.
Is flame calibration verification supported out-of-the-box?
The system includes a flame height gauge and adjustable burner; optional flame calibration kits (per IEC 60695-11-2) are available upon request for periodic verification.
What safety interlocks are implemented?
Hardware-based gas shutoff solenoid, overtemperature cutout (>200 °C), door-open detection, and flame-out sensing ensure immediate shutdown if operational boundaries are exceeded.
Is remote monitoring or network connectivity available?
Standard configuration uses local HMI only; Ethernet or RS-485 communication modules can be integrated under custom OEM agreements for factory-floor SCADA integration.
