Glow Wire Tester | IEC 60695-2-10 Glow Wire Test Apparatus

IEC 60695-2-10 Glow Wire Test Apparatus for Flammability Testing

The Glow Wire Tester is used to assess the flammability of materials and components by simulating the thermal effects of an overheated electrical part. A heated glow wire is brought into contact with the test specimen under a defined force and temperature, allowing evaluation of ignition behavior and fire hazard.

This test method is widely referenced in the safety evaluation of electrical and electronic products, helping manufacturers select appropriate materials and designs to reduce fire risk under abnormal heat conditions.

Technical Parameters

The Glow Wire Tester is built with a stable enclosed test chamber and a high-temperature resistant structure. The glow wire assembly uses a precision Φ4 mm nickel-chromium wire combined with a Φ1.0 mm K-type thermocouple to ensure accurate temperature control and monitoring. The system maintains stable temperature output across the full 100°C–1000°C range with ±2°C accuracy under proper calibration conditions.

The specimen loading mechanism provides controlled approach speed and applies a consistent 0.95 N contact force with a defined penetration depth. An independent exhaust system allows safe removal of fumes after testing, while the clear observation window enables accurate monitoring of ignition behavior and flame duration.

Testing Principle

The glow wire test simulates the thermal stress that may occur when an electrical component becomes overheated and contacts surrounding materials. A glow wire is electrically heated to a specified temperature and then applied to the test specimen under a standardized force for a defined period.

During and after contact, the test records whether ignition occurs, the duration of any flaming or glowing combustion, and whether burning particles spread beyond the point of contact. These measurements help determine the material’s resistance to ignition and its contribution to fire hazard under abnormal heat conditions.

Test procedure

Installation

• This tester should be placed on a level table
• table size no less than 1400W * 900D * (600-800)H mm
• Distance to the wall: > 200mm
• Exhaust pipe: diameter of 100mm
• The test room should be independent room equipped with exhaust system and firefighting device

• 

1.1) install the exhaust pipe, tighten the fitting

1.2) checks the power supply wiring, ensures it’s correct and grounded

1.3) connect thermocouple as below:

1.4) connect wire control box as below

Debugging

Before debugging, please check:

• whether wiring okay
• whether sample carrier and weight in right position, 3 wires must be in the pulley

2.1) turn power switch on, the sample carrier come to the left end, left proximity switch light up

2.2) adjust current to minimum, press heating button, and run, sample carrier come to right end, and come back 30s later.

2.3) test sample fixing. Fix the sample tight inside fixture, ensure 7mm spacing in the tolerance. And close the viewing window.

Test

Left: sample carrier small car go left

Right: sample carrier small car go right

Exhaust: exhausting

Light: lighting

Heating: Adjust the current, reach to required temperature. Wait 5min to let the temperature be steady.

Start: Sample carrier automatically moves forward, timers (glow time, Ti, Te) start working, carrier returns when set glow time (30s) reached.

Glow time: 30s

Ti: the duration from the beginning of tip application up to the time at which the test specimen or the wrapping tissue placed below it ignites;

Te: the duration from the beginning of tip application up to the time when flames extinguish during or after the period of application.

Control box: when the sample start burning, press the button on control box, get ignite time Ti; when flame dies, presses the button on control box, get flame extinguish time Te.

When test finished, do not open the viewing window until exhaust for at least 2min.

Test procedure

Common Error Mitigation

To obtain reliable glow wire test results, the following practices are recommended:

• Allow the glow wire to stabilize at the target temperature before each test.
• Ensure the specimen is correctly positioned and the contact force is set to 0.95 N ± 0.1 N.
• Regularly clean the glow wire tip to remove oxidation and maintain consistent thermal performance.
• Perform testing in a draft-free environment to avoid interference with flame observation.
• Accurately record ignition time (Ti), flame duration, and extinguishing time (Te).
• Verify temperature calibration periodically using reference instruments.
• Follow the exact test parameters required by the applicable product or material standard.