IEC 60695-2-11:2014

Overview

IEC 60695-2-11:2014 - Fire hazard testing - Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products (GWEPT) - specifies a laboratory test method that simulates thermal stress from an electrically heated source (a glowing or hot wire) applied to an end product. The objective is to determine whether an electrotechnical product (complete equipment, subassembly or component) has a limited ability to ignite, and if ignited, a limited ability to propagate flame under defined test conditions. The standard is a technical revision of the 2000 edition and introduces the GWEPT name and clarified provisions for specimen selection, conditioning and test limitations.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Assess end-product reaction to a glowing/hot-wire ignition source; not intended to provide a full fire-hazard or flame-spread analysis to other products.
• Specimen types: Defines complete end-products and alternative partial end-product specimens; introduces concepts of small parts and insignificant mass and clarifies when these apply.
• Test apparatus and procedure: Uses the glow-wire apparatus and common procedures described in IEC 60695-2-10; test severities and temperatures are specified for GWEPT in the standard and Annex A provides guidance.
• Conditioning and ambient conditions: Specifies conditioning of test specimens, of the specified layer under test, and laboratory ambient test conditions prior to testing.
• Measurements and evaluation: Focuses on ignition and flame propagation outcomes; measurement of maximum flame height was removed in this edition. Results are used to judge pass/fail against defined severities.
• Documentation: Requires detailed test reporting and information to be included in product or committee specifications.

Applications and who uses it

• Product designers and safety engineers use GWEPT during design to select materials, design enclosures and limit ignition risk from overheated components or poor connections.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies perform GWEPT to support conformity assessment and product standards that reference the method.
• Standards committees and manufacturers integrate results into broader fire hazard assessments and product standards, while recognizing that GWEPT is one element (not a complete fire-risk evaluation).
• Typical use cases: assessing consumer appliances, electrical enclosures, wiring assemblies, and components that could contact hot metal parts or overloaded conductors.

Related standards

• IEC 60695-2-10 (Glow-wire apparatus and common test procedure) - to be read in conjunction with GWEPT
• IEC 60695-2-12 (Glow-wire flammability index for materials)
• IEC 60695-2-13 (Glow-wire ignition temperature for materials)
• IEC 60695-2-2 (Needle-flame test)
• ISO/IEC 13943 (Fire safety - Vocabulary)
• IEC Guide 104 (Preparation of safety publications)

Keywords: Glowing/hot-wire, Glow wire, Flammability, Fire hazard, GWEPT, end-product testing.