Cable tests that are not equivalent, and why
IEC 60332-3-24 (cat. C) ≠ FT4 / IEEE 1202 ≠ UL 1685
Not equivalent, because The burner, the flame time and the char limit differ.
IEC 60332-3-24 (cat. C)
- 1.5 litres of non-metallic material per metre on a vertical ladder, 20 min of flame. Sources: IEC 60332-3-24:2000+A1:2008 (edition 1.1, 2009-02), Table A.1 p. 12; cl 5.1 p. 7; cl 5.3 pp. 8-9; Annex A p. 12; Annex B p. 13 (informative); cl 7 (read in the standard)
- Pass: char height at most 2.5 m above the burner. Sources: IEC 60332-3-24:2000+A1:2008 (edition 1.1, 2009-02), Table A.1 p. 12; cl 5.1 p. 7; cl 5.3 pp. 8-9; Annex A p. 12; Annex B p. 13 (informative); cl 7 (read in the standard)
FT4 / IEEE 1202
- A 20 kW burner (70,000 Btu/h) for 20 min. Sources: M. Hirschler, FAA Fire and Materials conference 2001, slides (quoted by others); VTEC Laboratories, cable fire tests (quoted by others)
- Pass: char at most 1.5 m. Sources: M. Hirschler, FAA Fire and Materials conference 2001, slides (quoted by others); VTEC Laboratories, cable fire tests (quoted by others)
UL 1685
- Pass (UL exposure): char below 8 ft (2.44 m). Sources: M. Hirschler, FAA Fire and Materials conference 2001, slides (quoted by others); VTEC Laboratories, cable fire tests (quoted by others)
Values as the sources print them, every one with its source and how it was seen; where a value is not held, it says so. The cable's own standard and the specification decide which test applies.
Questions and answers
Is FT4 / IEEE 1202, UL 1685 equivalent to IEC 60332-3-24 (cat. C)?
No. The burner, the flame time and the char limit differ.