Needle Flame Test Apparatus | IEC 60695-11-5 Needle Flame Tester

Needle Flame Test Seconds Equipment – IEC60695-11-5 Flammability Simulation

The Needle Flame Test Apparatus is a specialized fire hazard simulation system designed to replicate small flames from internal electrical faults. It uses a stainless steel needle burner with butane gas to apply a 12mm flame at 45° for a controlled duration (typically 30s) to the specimen, assessing ignition, sustained burning time, and flame spread on insulating materials and components per IEC60695-11-5:2016. This test is widely applied in household appliances, lighting fixtures, low-voltage apparatus, and engineering plastics to verify fire safety under fault conditions.

Technical Parameters

The Needle Flame Test Apparatus is built with industrial-grade robustness and high-precision engineering. It features a stainless steel needle burner with accurate inner diameter and length, delivering a stable and repeatable 12 mm flame. The system uses a high-accuracy K-type armored thermocouple and precise gas flow control to maintain consistent flame performance.

The combustion chamber provides ample volume with effective ventilation and a large observation window for safe monitoring. Advanced PLC control combined with a clear touchscreen interface allows easy programming of test duration, automatic timing of after-flame and after-glow periods, and one-touch operation. The adjustable specimen holder supports both 0° and 45° test angles, ensuring wide applicability for various components and materials while maintaining excellent repeatability and compliance with IEC 60695-11-5.

Testing Principle

The Needle Flame Test Apparatus simulates small flame sources caused by internal electrical faults or component failures. A standardized 12 mm needle flame is applied to the surface or edge of the test specimen at a 45° angle for a preset duration (typically 5 to 120 seconds, depending on the standard and product type).

After the flame is removed, the tester precisely records critical parameters including after-flame time, whether the underlying tissue paper indicator ignites, and any flaming droplets or particles. The evaluation determines the material’s ability to resist ignition, limit flame spread, and self-extinguish, providing essential data on fire hazard potential from small localized heat sources as defined in IEC 60695-11-5.

Common Error Mitigation

To achieve accurate, repeatable, and reliable test results, the following best practices are strongly recommended:

• Calibrate the burner flame height and temperature daily using the standard copper block method before each test series
• Ensure correct specimen orientation, secure mounting, and proper positioning relative to the flame
• Use high-purity butane gas (≥95%) and maintain stable, consistent gas flow rates
• Keep the test chamber clean, well-ventilated, and free from residual combustion products
• Record detailed observations for each test, including ignition time, after-flame duration, flaming droplets, and tissue paper ignition behavior for full traceability and accurate reporting

Primary Use Cases & Business Value

The Needle Flame Test Apparatus is an essential instrument for assessing the fire safety performance of small components, plastic parts, and insulating materials used in electrical and electronic products. It enables manufacturers to identify potential ignition risks under simulated internal fault conditions, optimize material selection, refine product design, and significantly reduce the likelihood of fire hazards in the final application.

By delivering reliable, standards-compliant test data, this tester helps accelerate regulatory certification, minimize compliance risks, and strengthen overall product safety and market reputation.

Industrial Applications & Lab Scenarios

• Household Appliance Manufacturers — fire hazard evaluation of internal plastic parts, wiring insulation, and connectors
• Lighting Equipment & Consumer Electronics Producers — enclosure materials and component flame resistance validation
• Low-Voltage Apparatus & Switchgear Suppliers — fault condition flame propagation assessment
• Third-Party Certification Laboratories — IEC 60695-11-5 compliance and type approval testing
• Quality Control & R&D Departments — incoming material verification, batch consistency checks, and new flame-retardant material development

Strategic Procurement Advantages & Global Support

• Precise flame height, duration, and angle control for excellent test repeatability and accuracy
• Robust combustion chamber with safe ventilation and large observation window
• High-quality industrial construction designed for continuous laboratory operation
• Manufactured under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and CE certified quality management system
• Comprehensive one-year warranty supported by responsive lifetime technical assistance from our Dongguan facility