Circuit (insulation) Integrity in accordance with IEC 60331

IEC 60331 specifies tests for electric cable for circuit integrity under fire conditions. It is divided in following parts that describe the test modes, the conditions, and the equipment to use. The test was originally carried out only in fire alone for a period of 180 minutes at a temperature of 750°C. To better simulate the real fire conditions, with mechanical stresses due to the fall of materials and
with the presence of water, the testing conditions have been modified by changing the duration, increasing the temperature of the flame and by adding mechanical stresses and water spray. IEC 60331-1 ed 1.0 (2009-05)- Part 1: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1KV and with an overall diameter exceeding 20mm.

IEC 60331-2 ed 1.0 (2009-05)- Part 2: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1KV and with an overall diameter not exceeding 20mm. IEC 60331-3 ed 1.0 (2009-05)- Part 3: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1KV tested in a metal enclosure.

IEC 60331-11 ed1.01 Consol. with am1 (2009-07) – Part 11: Apparatus – Fire alone at a flame temperature of at least 750°C.

IEC 60331-12 ed1.01 Consol. with am1 (2009-07) – Part 12: Apparatus – Fire with shock at a flame temperature of at least 830°C.

IEC 60331-21 ed1.0 (1999-04) – Part 21: Procedures and requirements – Cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1KV.

IEC 60331-23 ed1.0 (1999-04) – Part 23: Procedures and requirements – Electric Data Cables.

IEC 60331-25 ed1.0 (1999-04) – Part 25: Procedures and requirements – Optic Fiber Cables.

IEC 60331-31 ed1.0 (1999-04) – Part 31: Tests for electric cables for fire conditions and shock- Circuit integrity. Procedures and requirements for fire with shock – Cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1KV.

IEC 60331-21/60331-23 A sample of the cable length of 1200mm sustained by two metal rings is mounted horizontally in a special ventilated cabin. During the test, to the wire cores of cable a voltage of the nominal value is applied (for telecommunication cables equal to 110 V), thereby creating a closed electric circuit. The sample is subjected to an action of linear gas burner with a length of 500mm and the flame temperature equal to 750°C till 800°C. The time of the fire is 180 minutes. Result of the test is considered positive if at that time will not be considered a short circuit in the circuit being researched.

IEC 60331-25 details a method to assess the circuit integrity of optical fiber cables. The standard specifies a ribbon burner and the recommended flame temperature is 750°C. The optical power meter is zeroed and the changes in attenuation during the 180 minutes burner application period are monitored. The maximum change in attenuation (a change from zero) is recorded during the burner
application period. In the 15 minutes period after the flame application, a maximum attenuation is also recorded. Result of the test is considered positive if at that time will not be considered a short circuit in the circuit being tested.

IEC 60331-31 applies to the cables with a diameter greater than 20mm, and introduces the standards and procedures for testing of cables exposed to fire and mechanical shock (equipment according to 60331-12). The test sample provides cable fragment length at least 1500mm. Bent wire on the U-shaped with a radius equal to the smallest permissible by the manufacturer, is mounted on a metal assay ladder. During the study, through all the cable wires is passed current with rated voltage and these cables are subjected to fire during 120min, where fire source is a gas burner set in conformity with standards, as well the mechanical shock of the 5 minutes interval. Result of the test is considered positive if at that time will not be considered a short circuit in the circuit being tested.

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