TESTech TTech-GBT18380A Single-Wire Vertical Flame Test Chamber

Overview

The TESTech TTech-GBT18380A Single-Wire Vertical Flame Test Chamber is an engineered solution for evaluating the flame propagation resistance of individual insulated electrical wires and optical cables under controlled vertical orientation. Designed in strict accordance with international and national fire safety standards—including IEC 60332-1-1, IEC 60332-1-2, IEC 60332-1-3, EN 50086-1:1994, and GB/T 18380.11–2008—the instrument quantifies critical fire performance parameters such as flame spread distance, afterflame time, afterglow time, and whether flaming droplets are generated during combustion. The test principle follows the vertical flame method: a standardized premixed propane-air flame is applied to the lower end of a vertically suspended specimen for a prescribed duration; subsequent observation assesses whether flame propagation exceeds defined limits (e.g., charring length ≤ 50 mm above the upper mark), and whether ignited drips ignite cotton wool placed beneath the specimen. This methodology directly supports regulatory conformance for wire and cable products intended for building wiring, rail transit, marine, and industrial control applications where passive fire containment is mandated.

Key Features

• Integrated intelligent instrumentation panel with real-time digital timing, flame-on/off control, and programmable hold durations (0–99 min 99 sec) for both flame application and post-ignition observation phases.
• Automated piezoelectric ignition system eliminates manual torch handling, enhancing repeatability and operator safety.
• Full 304 stainless steel construction ensures long-term corrosion resistance in high-temperature, soot-laden environments typical of flame testing.
• Premixed burner assembly with precise 12.0 ± 0.5 mm internal diameter and 100 mm length delivers stable, laminar flame geometry compliant with IEC 60332-1-1 Annex A specifications.
• Dual adjustable stainless steel mounting rods—equipped with threaded holes and M6 bolts—enable secure, repeatable vertical alignment of specimens ranging from 0.5 mm² to 240 mm² cross-section, including solid conductors, stranded cores, and jacketed fiber optic cables.
• Dedicated gas safety architecture: integrated one-way check valve, calibrated needle valve for fine-tuned propane flow, analog pressure regulator, and certified flowmeter—all independently verified per ISO 5167 and EN 13175 requirements.
• Optimized internal cavity dimensions (300 × 450 × 1200 mm W×D×H) provide unobstructed flame development zone while meeting minimum clearances specified in GB/T 18380.11–2008 Clause 7.2 and IEC 60332-1-1 Figure 1.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TTech-GBT18380A accommodates a broad range of single-core insulated wires and cables, including PVC, PE, LSZH, XLPE, EPR, and fluoropolymer-jacketed constructions. Specimen lengths are standardized at 600 mm, mounted vertically with the lower edge positioned 50 mm above the burner tip. The chamber satisfies all mechanical, thermal, and procedural requirements for GB/T 18380.11–2008 (equivalent to IEC 60332-1-1), GB/T 18380.12–2008 (IEC 60332-1-2), and GB/T 18380.13–2008 (IEC 60332-1-3). It also supports GB/T 5169.147–2007 (IEC 60695-11-2) for glow-wire ignition testing when used with optional accessory modules. All calibration and verification procedures align with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Traceable documentation—including factory calibration certificates for flowmeter and timer—is supplied with each unit.

Software & Data Management

While the TTech-GBT18380A operates via embedded microcontroller-based instrumentation (no PC dependency), it supports full GLP-compliant data integrity through non-volatile memory logging. Each test cycle records timestamp, flame-on duration, observed afterflame time, afterglow time, charring extent, and operator ID. Data export is available via USB interface in CSV format for integration into LIMS or QA databases. The system includes audit trail functionality per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—enabling user authentication, electronic signatures, and immutable event logs. Firmware updates are delivered via secure encrypted USB key, with version history and change logs maintained in accordance with IEC 62304 Class B software lifecycle standards.

Applications

• Quality assurance laboratories validating flame-retardant formulations for insulation compounds (e.g., halogen-free flame retardants in LSZH compounds).
• R&D departments developing low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) cable jackets meeting EN 50575 CPR classification requirements.
• Third-party certification bodies conducting type testing for CCC, CE, UL, and CSA listings under harmonized standards.
• Manufacturing facilities performing incoming raw material checks on compound batches prior to extrusion.
• Fire safety engineering teams assessing comparative flame behavior across conductor stranding configurations, shielding layers, or jacket thickness variations.

FAQ

What standards does the TTech-GBT18380A fully support out-of-the-box?
IEC 60332-1-1, IEC 60332-1-2, IEC 60332-1-3, EN 50086-1:1994, GB/T 18380.11–2008, GB/T 18380.12–2008, GB/T 18380.13–2008, and GB/T 5169.147–2007.
Can the chamber be used for flame testing of multi-core cables?
No—this model is strictly configured for single-wire vertical flame testing per IEC 60332-1 series. Multi-core or bundled cable evaluation requires the TTech-GBT18380B horizontal tray flame test system or TTech-GBT18380C bunched vertical test chamber.
Is external ventilation ducting required?
Yes. The chamber must be installed within a certified fume hood or connected to an exhaust system capable of ≥ 1.2 m³/min airflow at the chamber exhaust port to maintain safe CO and NO_x exposure levels below OSHA PEL thresholds.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Burner nozzle inspection every 50 tests; stainless steel rod cleaning after each test; gas line filter replacement every 6 months; annual full calibration of timer, flowmeter, and flame height gauge by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited service provider.
Does the system include test report generation capability?
Yes—preformatted PDF reports compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8.2 are auto-generated upon test completion, including pass/fail determination against selected standard criteria, raw timing data, operator signature field, and equipment calibration status.