Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
Model: UT4131-F05, IEC 60331, EN 50200, GB/T 19216
Fire Resistance Testing Machine for Electric Wires and Cables is suitable for fire-resistant cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 600/1000V and an outer diameter ≤20mm, to check if they maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions. This tester includes fire resistance tests, water spray fire resistance tests, and mechanical fire resistance tests.
Conform with standard: EN 50200 Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits;
IEC 60331-2 Tests for electric cables under fire conditions - Circuit integrity - 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 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter not exceeding 20 mm
GB/T 19216, IEC 60331-11, IEC 60331-21, IEC 60331-23, IEC 60331-25.
General introduction
A wire and cable fire resistance testing machine (also called a cable circuit integrity fire test apparatus) is the critical piece of laboratory equipment used to verify whether a cable can continue to carry current while exposed to a high-temperature hydrocarbon flame, mechanical shock, and/or water spray. Unlike flammability testers (IEC 60332 / GB/T 18380), a fire resistance test does not ask "does the cable catch fire?" — it asks "does the circuit stay intact while the building burns?"
As a professional manufacturer of cable fire testing instruments, UnitedTest designs and builds IEC 60331-2, GB/T 19216-2, and EN 50200 compliant fire resistance test chambers for cable makers, third-party labs, and certification bodies worldwide. This guide explains the governing standards, how the test works, and what to look for when specifying a machine.
Fire Resistance Testing Machine for Electric Wires and Cables is suitable for fire-resistant cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 600/1000V and an outer diameter ≤20mm, to check if they maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions. This tester includes fire resistance tests, water spray fire resistance tests, and mechanical fire resistance tests.
Conform with standard: EN 50200 Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits;
IEC 60331-2 Tests for electric cables under fire conditions - Circuit integrity - 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 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter not exceeding 20 mm
GB/T 19216, IEC 60331-11, IEC 60331-21, IEC 60331-23, IEC 60331-25.
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Key Features
Our wire and cable fire resistance testing machine fully complies with the full technical requirements of national, international and European authoritative standards, covering core test parameters, flame conditions, sample installation, test duration and judgment criteria:
2.1 GB/T 19216-2 (Chinese National Standard)
GB/T 19216-2 specifies the line integrity test method for wires and cables under flame conditions, which is the core mandatory standard for domestic cable fire resistance testing in China. UnitedTest’s fire resistance tester strictly implements GB/T 19216-2 technical specifications, adapting to fire resistance tests of various low-voltage power cables, control cables and building wires. The equipment simulates standard flame temperature and combustion environment, monitors whether the cable maintains complete circuit continuity during continuous flame burning, and judges the fire resistance grade of cable products, supporting domestic product certification and factory routine quality testing.
2.2 IEC 60331-2 (International Electrotechnical Commission Standard)
IEC 60331-2 is the global unified standard forelectric cable circuit integrity test under fire conditions, applicable to international general fire safety testing of power and communication cables. UnitedTest professional cable fire resistance testing machine fully conforms to IEC 60331-2 test protocols, including standard flame temperature control, sample fixed installation spacing, continuous electrification test and fire survival time verification. It is widely recognized for global cable export certification, international project bidding and cross-border product quality inspection, meeting the unified testing requirements of IEC standard system for fire-resistant cables.
2.3 EN 50200 (European Standard)
EN 50200 is the key European standard for fire resistance testing of unprotected small cables for emergency circuits, focusing on the fire survival performance of emergency lighting, fire alarm and safety control cables in building fire accidents. UnitedTest’s upgraded fire resistance testing machine meets all EN 50200 test conditions, including standard ribbon burner flame supply, 850°C±20°C constant flame temperature, fixed combustion duration and circuit failure judgment mechanism. It provides compliant test data for cable products entering the European market, supporting CE certification and European construction engineering safety inspection.
BS 6387 Test method for resistance to fire of cables required to maintain circui t integrity under fire conditions
BS 8491 — Large-diameter power cables for smoke and heat control systems
BS 8434-1 / BS 8434-2 — Assessment of fire integrity of electric cables
IEC 60331-21/23/25 — Procedures for power, data, and optical-fiber cables
SS 299 (Singapore) — Fire-resistant low-smoke cables
DIN 4102-12 (Germany) — Fire behavior of cable systems
GB/T 19666-2019 — General rules for flame-retardant and fire-resistant wires & cables
UnitedTest wire and cable fire resistance testing machine is widely applied in multiple industries and scenarios, perfectly matching the testing demands of different users:
- Fire resistance performance test of low-voltage power cables, control cables, building wires and fire-resistant cables
- Product quality inspection and fire safety certification for cable manufacturers
- Third-party testing laboratory standard compliance testing and data certification
- Cable product R&D performance verification and new product fire resistance grade upgrading
- Fire safety testing of emergency circuit cables compliant with EN 50200 for European engineering projects
- National standard sampling inspection and quality supervision of wire and cable products
Combustion chamber size: 3M × 3M × 3M, totaling 27 cubic meters.
Combustion chamber material: Made of 304 stainless steel, the chamber adopts a double-layer partition structure with high-temperature insulation cotton packed in between, about 50mm thick.
The frame of the chamber is made of 3.0mm thick stainless steel plates, while other panels use 1.0mm thick stainless steel.
Control box material: The control box is made of 304 stainless steel plates, CNC machined, with a sleek and elegant curved design.
Combustion device material: Made from 30*30 aluminum profiles, lightweight, attractive, and convenient for moving and cleaning.
Control System: Uses a relay control system, with electronic components from well-known domestic brands, which better ensures the machine's performance and testing accuracy. (Optional PLC touchscreen control available, making operation simple and allowing automatic data recording and calculations.)
Continuous Testing Device: During testing, current passes through all conductors of the cable. The three single-phase transformers have enough capacity to maintain the allowable leakage current of 3A at the test voltage. At the other end of the cable, each conductor is connected to a lamp and carries nearly 0.25A of current at the cable's rated voltage. If there's a short or open circuit during the test, a signal is output.
Safety Protection: Power overload, short circuit protection, and control circuit overload protection.
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1. The ground should be flat, well-ventilated, and free of flammable, explosive, or corrosive gases and dust.
2. There should be no strong electromagnetic radiation sources nearby.
3. Leave sufficient space around the equipment for maintenance.
4. Temperature: 5℃~30℃
5. Air pressure: 86~106 kPa
6. Power supply: AC380V/50Hz
Voltage fluctuation range allowed: 380V±10%
Frequency fluctuation range allowed: 50Hz±1%
7. The user should provide air and power switches with appropriate capacity at the installation site for the equipment, and this switch is dedicated to this equipment (user-supplied).
Main Technical Specification
| Test workstation | 1 station, testing one sample at a time; |
| Test sample size | length > 1200mm |
| Sample holder | The machine has a total of 3 wire support rings. During testing, place the sample on the wire rings and clamp it tightly with two fixtures. Suitable for testing whether power or optical cables maintain circuit integrity under flames no less than 750°C; |
| Test wall | The wall is made of heat-resistant, flame-retardant materials and fixed on two horizontal steel beams, one at the top and one at the bottom. The panel is approximately 900mm long, 300mm wide, and 9mm thick, and the total weight of the wall (panel plus support frame) is 10 ± 2 kg. Each steel beam is about 1m long with 25mm square steel tube. If filling materials are needed, they should be placed inside the steel beams. The top beam must be fixed to the panel so that its top surface is flush with the top edge of the panel. Each steel beam and the panel's outer edge have a horizontal hole, positioned based on the needs of specific support pads and the supporting frame. The wall is bonded to the frame with 4 rubber bushings, each about 32mm in diameter and 20mm thick. |
| Test ladder frame | Made of a steel frame, approximately 1200mm long, 600mm high, with a total weight of about 18 ± 1 kg. Made from 45mm-wide angle steel or stainless steel square tubing. Fixed onto a rigid support through 4 rubber bushings, each about 32mm in diameter and 20mm thick. |
| Vibration device | The vibration device consists of a low-carbon steel bar (diameter 25mm ± 5%, length 600mm ± 5%). The bar's longitudinal section is parallel to the wall surface and extends 200mm above the wall. An axis divides it into 200mm and 400mm sections, with the longer side facing the wall. It drops from a parallel position to the middle of the wall at intervals of 30 ± 2s starting from 60°C. |
| Water spray device | The water spray test is carried out continuously on samples that have undergone a 105-minute fire plus mechanical impact resistance test. The spray lasts 15 minutes with a continuous water flow. During the continuous water spray test, the fire and mechanical impact are not stopped. |
| Water jet device | The water jet device should meet the requirements of a 6.3mm nozzle test, with a nozzle inner diameter of 6.3mm, flow rate 12.5 ± 0.625 L/min, and a switch valve and flow meter installed in the water supply to adjust water flow. Spray angle is 45 ± 5° from vertical, with the nozzle 500 ± 25mm from the spray target. The water jet test is carried out on samples after a 105-minute fire plus mechanical impact resistance test, lasting 15 minutes, spraying once per minute for 5 seconds each time, totaling 15 sprays. |
| Torch | Venturi air-propane mixed torch, 500mm long; |
| Flame temperature | adjustable from 450° to 950° |
| Combustible gas | Propane with 98% purity (provided by the customer) |
| Supporting gas | Compressed air (pressure must reach above 10MPa), provided by the customer. |
| Ignition device | Automatic ignition |
| Exhaust system | The machine has an exhaust system. After the test is completed, the exhaust fan can quickly remove the waste gas from the chamber. The exhaust system is located on top of the casing, effectively discharging waste gas. There are several air inlet holes at the bottom to ensure the oxygen content inside the chamber during the test. |
| Temperature measurement system | Two K-type thermocouples installed 70mm above the torch and 45mm horizontally to the left and right. The heads of the two thermocouples are spaced apart. |
| Insulation | The casing uses a double-layer partition structure, filled with high-temperature insulation cotton to effectively reduce the external wall temperature to below 45°C during the test. |
| Door | The front of the combustion chamber has a large door with a tempered glass window, allowing for observation of the test at any time. During testing, the door remains closed to prevent harmful substances from contaminating the indoor air. |
| Temperature sensing system | Stainless steel K-type thermocouple, 1.5mm in diameter (material can withstand temperatures above 1100°C). |
| Airflow | Range of 80 L/min. |
| Propane flow | Range of 5 L/min. |
| Timer | Can be set from 0 to 99.99 s/m/h |
| Power requirements | AC 380V (±10%)/50Hz. |
| Machine operating power | 1KW |
What Is Circuit Integrity (Fire Resistance) Testing?
Circuit integrity is defined as the ability of a cable to continue to function — i.e., maintain a closed electrical circuit — while being subjected to fire under specified conditions. The test is essential for:
Fire alarm circuits
Emergency lighting systems
Smoke extraction and pressurization fans
Sprinkler pump feeders
Evacuation lift power supplies
Critical data and telecom cables in emergency circuits
If a cable fails this test, the life-safety system it feeds goes dark exactly when it is needed most. That is why international codes reference IEC 60331, GB/T 19216, EN 50200, and BS 6387 as mandatory compliance standards.
IEC 60331-2 (and IEC 60331-1/3)
IEC 60331-2 specifies the test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0.6/1.0 kV with an overall diameter not exceeding 20 mm.
| Part | Scope | Flame Temp. | Mechanical Shock | Application Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEC 60331-1 | Ø > 20 mm, ≤ 0.6/1.0 kV | ≥ 830 °C | Yes | 30/60/90/120 min |
| IEC 60331-2 | Ø ≤ 20 mm, ≤ 0.6/1.0 kV | ≥ 830 °C | Yes | 30/60/90/120 min |
| IEC 60331-3 | Cable in metal enclosure | ≥ 830 °C | Yes | 30/60/90/120 min |
| IEC 60331-11/21/23/25 | General procedures | 775±25 °C | No | 90 min |
EN 50200 (European Standard)
EN 50200 is the European harmonized standard for "Resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits." It applies to cables rated < 600/1000 V.
| Parameter | EN 50200 | EN 50200 Annex E |
|---|---|---|
| Burner | 500 mm ribbon type | 500 mm ribbon type |
| Flame temp. | 850 ± 20 °C | 850 ± 20 °C |
| Mechanical shock | Yes | Yes + tube water spray |
| Application time | 120 min | 120 min (shock) + 30 min (spray) |
BS 6387 (UK Standard)
The British standard BS 6387:2013 defines three test protocols:
Protocol C — Fire alone: 950 ± 40 °C, 180 min, 610 mm tube burner
Protocol W — Fire + water spray: 650 ± 40 °C, 30 min, ribbon burner
Protocol Z — Fire + mechanical shock: 950 ± 40 °C, 15 min, ribbon burner
To achieve the coveted CWZ rating, a cable must pass all three protocols independently.
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