IEC 60695-2-11:2021

Overview

IEC 60695-2-11:2021 - Fire hazard testing - Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods - Glow‑wire flammability test method for end products (GWEPT) - specifies a laboratory test method that simulates the thermal effects of an electrically heated source on a complete or partial end product. The GWEPT evaluates whether an end product has a limited ability to ignite or, if ignition occurs, a limited ability to propagate flame when exposed to a glowing/hot wire. This third edition (2021) replaces the 2014 edition and includes expanded terms and definitions; it is intended as a basic safety publication for use by technical committees and standards development (see IEC Guide 104 and ISO/IEC Guide 51).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and limitations: Defines the GWEPT as a test on end products to simulate electrical thermal stress; explicitly excludes full fire hazard analysis, overall flammability assessment, and flame spread to other products.
• Test specimens: Guidance for complete end products and partial end-product test configurations, plus notes on specimen limitations and considerations.
• Test apparatus and procedure: Refers to the glow‑wire apparatus and common procedure described in IEC 60695-2-10; details on the measuring/temperature system verification are included.
• Conditioning and test conditions: Requirements for specimen conditioning and environmental/testing conditions prior to and during the test.
• Test temperatures and suggestions: Tabled test temperatures and an informative annex (Annex A) provide suggested GWEPT temperatures for different applications.
• Observations, measurements, evaluation and reporting: Instructions for documenting ignition, flaming, glowing, durations, and criteria for pass/fail evaluation; required test report contents and information to be provided in relevant product standards.
• Normative references and terminology: Connects to IEC 60695‑2‑10, IEC 60695‑4, ISO 13943 and other guides; Clause 3 updated with numerous terms and definitions relevant to GWEPT.

Applications and users

Who uses IEC 60695-2-11 (GWEPT):

• Product designers and electrical/electronic manufacturers assessing resistance to thermal ignition sources (e.g., overheated conductors, poor connections).
• Test laboratories conducting glow-wire flammability testing on end products for safety verification.
• Standards and technical committees incorporating basic safety test methods into product‑specific standards.
• Certification bodies and compliance engineers using test data as part of broader fire hazard assessments (note: GWEPT results are one element of risk evaluation, not a full fire risk appraisal).

Practical uses:

• Validating enclosure designs and materials against ignition from heated electrical parts.
• Comparing end-product behavior under controlled glowing-wire exposure to inform design changes and material choices.
• Generating repeatable test data for inclusion in safety standards and regulatory submissions.

Related standards

• IEC 60695-2-10 - Glow‑wire apparatus and common test procedure (must be used in conjunction).
• IEC 60695-2-12 / 2-13 - Material-level glow‑wire tests (GWFI, GWIT) for context when assessing components vs. end products.
• IEC 60695-4, ISO 13943, IEC Guide 104, ISO/IEC Guide 51 - Terminology and guidance for safety publications and risk considerations.

Keywords: GWEPT, glow-wire flammability test, IEC 60695-2-11, fire hazard testing, glow‑wire, end product testing, hot‑wire, electrical product safety.