Electric Ignition Source

This method is used to determine the flammability of end products using a glow wire loop. The test is suitable for end products which are exposed to an electrically heated source.

Close-up of electrical testing inside laboratory

Electric ignition source GWEPT - Glow Wire End Product Testing

This method is used to determine the flammability of end products using a glow wire loop. The test is suitable for end products which are exposed to an electrically heated source.

Standards for Electric ignition source GWEPT
UL 746A, IEC 60695-2-11, or equivalent standards

Electric ignition source GWFI - Glow Wire Flammability Testing

This method is used to determine the glow wire flammability index of a test specimen by means of a glow wire loop.

Standards for Electric ignition source
GWFIUL 746A, IEC 60695-2-12, or equivalent standards

Red, green and blue electrical wire twisted together., Portrait photo of John Kovacik, Principal Engineer and UL’s Principal on the NEC Correlating Committee, ,

Electric ignition source GWIT - Glow Wire Ignition Temperature

This method is used to determine the glow wire ignition temperature of a test specimen by means of a glow wire loop.

Standards for Electric ignition source GWIT
UL 746A, IEC 60695-2-13, or equivalent standards

Short circuit, burnt cable, on dark color background, 486567423

Electric ignition source HWI - Hot Wire Ignition

This method is used to determine the ignition times of electrical insulation materials. The ignition time is the time which is required to ignite a wire-wound test specimen. This time serves as the assessment criterion for assigning the material to a Performance Level Class (PLC).

Standards for Electric ignition source HWI
UL 746A, ASTM D3874, or equivalent standards

Test results for Electric ignition source GWEPT - Glow Wire End Product Testing

Pre-treatment:
24h / 15-35°C / 45-75 % relative humidity

Test temperature in °C	500	550	600	650	700	750	800	850	900	960
Exposure time	30 s

The specimen is considered to have passed the test if one of the following conditions is satisfied:

The test specimen does not ignite
The test specimen ignites but all of the following apply:
- The flames or incandescent burning (glow) are extinguished within 30 s of removing the glow wire, i.e. t_E ≤ t_A + 30 s
- The specified underlay for the test specimen does not ignite

Test results for Electric ignition source GWFI - Glow Wire Flammability Testing

Pre-treatment:
48h / 23°C / 50 % relative humidity

Test temperature in °C	550	600	650	700	750	800	850	900	960
Exposure time	30 s

The specimen is considered to have passed the test if the following conditions are satisfied:

The longest sustained flame or glow is extinguished within 30 s of removing the glow wire tR
The specimen is not completely burned
The tissue paper does not ignite

Test results for Electric ignition source GWIT - Glow Wire Ignition Temperature

Pre-treatment:
48h / 23°C / 50 % rel. relative humidity

Test temperature in °C	500	550	600	650	700	750	800	850	900	960
Exposure time	30 s

The GWIT is 25 K (or 30 K) higher than the maximum test temperature according to this standardized method at which a tested material

Does not ignite
Ignites but where, in the event of sustained combustion with a flame, each incidence of ignition is sustained for a maximum of 5 s and the test specimen is not completely burned

Test results for Electric ignition source HWI - Hot Wire Ignition