• Testing of Corrosivity of Flammable Gases
• Testing of Flammability Single Cores and Conductors
• Testing of Flammability of Cable Bundles
• Testing of Flammability of Cable Bundles
• Testing of Circuit Integrity
• Testing of Circuit integrity ( Fire, Impact)
• Testing of Circuit Integrity (Fire and Water)
• Testing of Functional Integrity of Electrical Cabling Systems according to DIN 4102 part 12 ( E30- E90)

This method determines whether insulating,- and coating materials for cables give off any corrosive fumes under flame treatment.

Test Setup:
Sample weight of 1g of not metallic element of a cable is heated in a furnace.  The pH value and conductivity of flammable gases is measured while dissolving in water.
Flame Temperature:
Minimum 935 °C
Test Time:
30 min

PH- value of the wash water must be at least 4.3 and the conductivity value of the wash water maximum 10 S/mm.

This method tests flammability of any cable sample length of 60 cm.

Test Setup:
The cable  to be tested is fixed vertically and heated with a bunsen burner in 45° angle.
Flame Temperature:
Is adjusted according to the prescribed property of the bunsen burner.
Test Time:
Cabel Ø of </= 25 mm: 60 s
Cabel Ø of 25 < D < 50 mm: 120 s

Flame damages must end at least 50 mm under the top of the fixing clamp. Cables must be self-extinguishing.

This method checks a cable length of 3600 mm according to fire propagation.

Test Setup:
Dependent on variety of flame, cables are  fixed to a ladder, located close or with distance to each other. Cables can be fixed with several layers.
Flame Temperature:
Determined by prescribed amount of propane gas and air.
Test Time:
IEC Part 21/EN Teil 1: Category A F/R just for special application
IEC Part 22/EN Teil 2: Category A (7l brennbares material/m): 40 min
IEC Part 23/EN Teil 3: Category B (3,5 l flammable material/m): 40 min
IEC Part 24/EN Teil 4: Category C (1,5 l flammable material/m): 20 min
IEC Part 25/EN Teil 5: Category D (0,5 l flammable material/m): 20 min

Occurring damages of the cable must be visible maximum 2,5m from the bottom-end of the burner from top side.

This method checks the smoke emission of cables while burning or obstruction of view through burning cables.

Test Setup:
In a closed chamber a cable is burned by means of a flammable liquid. Transparency  of occurring fumes is measured optically.
Flame Temperature:
Determined by amount and composition of the liquid.
Test Time:
40 min

Transparency of the fume should be at least 60% at the end, if it is not specified differently.

Testing the circuit integrity determines both, the time period of a not charged cord under terms of flame and the minimum insulation properties.

Test Setup:
Cable is fixed horizontally, whereby core and shield is connected under voltage. Flamming is carried out  from bottom over a width of 1200mm.
Flame Temperature:
Minimum 750 °C
Test Time:
180 min

While flame treatment and additional cooling time of 12 hours, the power and the signal transmission must be given.  No short-circuit between conductors or coating as well as no open phase should occur. No pre-determined value in the standard is allowed to exceed attenuation increase.

Test Setup:
Cable (maximum diameter of 20mm) is installed onto a fixture and is exposed to flame from front. During the treatment the cable is hit every 5 min.in. angestoßen.
Flame Temperature:
842 °C
Test Time:
90 min.

This test is a must for every cable and conductor with a supply voltage up to 600/1000 V and for data communication cable without any supply voltage. No short-circuit between conductors and no open phase should occur. No pre-determined value in the standard is allowed to exceed attenuation increase.

Test Setup:
Cable is fixed horizontally, whereby core and coat are connected electrically. Voltage is U/U. Flame treatment is carried over a width of 1500 mm. After 15 minutes  the sprinkle water dispenser is switched on.
Flame Temperature:
650 °C ± 40 °C
Test Time:
2 tests á 30 minutes

While fire treatment the signal and the power transmission must given in all cores. No short-circuit between conductors and coating.

Testing methods described above are not the same as the test of functional integrity of electrical cabling systems according to DIN 4102 part 12. Circuit Integrity “CI” checks just a single core or conductor but in that method a whole cable (practical orientated fixtures) is tested according to functional efficiency.

Test Setup:
Arrangement of a complete cable installation. That means cables including rings, fixtures, screws etc. are in a furnace.
Testing voltage for power lines 380V
Testing voltage for telecommunication cable 110V
Current load:3A
Test Time:
Testing time is subdivided in 2 functional integrity levels:
-E30 for a function integrity of at least 30 minutes
-E90 for a function integrity of at least 90 minutes

This method can be just carried out by official approved testing institutions.  After a successful test, a certificate is created, which is valid for installation directions. For optical fiber cables: No pre-determined value in the standard is allowed to exceed the attenuation.