Cable tests that are not equivalent, and why
IEC 60331 ≠ BS 6387 (C, W, Z) ≠ BS 8491 ≠ EN 50200 (PH) ≠ DIN 4102-12 (E30, E60, E90) ≠ UL 2196
Not equivalent, because Flame or furnace, temperature, mechanical shock, water and what is tested (a cable alone, or a cable with its supports) all differ: a time or class from one test says nothing about another.
IEC 60331
- Parts 1 and 2: a flame of at least 830 °C with mechanical shock; part 1 for cables over 20 mm, part 2 up to 20 mm; up to 0.6/1 kV. Sources: IEC 60331-1:2009 and IEC 60331-2:2009 (edition 1.0), cl. 1 p. 7, 7.4 p. 19, 8.1 and 8.2 p. 20, Annex A p. 22 (the 2018 edition is not held) (read in the standard)
- Parts 11 and 21: fire alone, at least 750 °C. Sources: IEC 60331-11:1999+A1:2009 (edition 1.1), 5.2 p. 7, Annex A p. 13; IEC 60331-21:1999, cl. 7 and 8, pp. 13 to 15 (read in the standard)
- Pass: the circuit keeps working for the stated time. Sources: IEC 60331-1:2009 and IEC 60331-2:2009 (edition 1.0), cl. 1 p. 7, 7.4 p. 19, 8.1 and 8.2 p. 20, Annex A p. 22 (the 2018 edition is not held) (read in the standard)
BS 6387 (C, W, Z)
- C: 950 °C for 3 h. W: 650 °C for 15 min, then 15 min with water. Z: 950 °C with a shock every 30 s for 15 min. CWZ: all three passed. Sources: BS 6387:2013, cl. 4, 6, 7, 8 (read in the standard)
- Cables up to 600/1000 V and 20 mm diameter. Sources: BS 6387:2013, cl. 4, 6, 7, 8 (read in the standard)
BS 8491
- Cables over 20 mm: 842 °C with impact and a water jet; classes F30, F60, F120. Sources: BSI listing of BS 8491:2008 and summaries of it (quoted by others)
EN 50200 (PH)
- 830 °C with a shock every 5 min, cables up to 20 mm; Annex E adds a water spray. Sources: BS EN 50200:2015, 6.3 (830 °C, +40 / 0), 8.3 (shock every 5 min), clause 1 (cables up to 20 mm), Annex D (PH classes), Annex E (water spray) (read in the standard)
- Classes PH15, PH30, PH60, PH90, PH120 (EN 13501-3). Sources: EN 13501-3:2005+A1:2009 with draft A2 (cover September 2013), cl 4.3 p. 7; cl 6.3 p. 9; cl 7.2.4.4, 7.2.5.4 pp. 16-17; cl 7.2.6.2 p. 18 (read in a draft); BS EN 50200:2015, 6.3 (830 °C, +40 / 0), 8.3 (shock every 5 min), clause 1 (cables up to 20 mm), Annex D (PH classes), Annex E (water spray) (read in the standard)
DIN 4102-12 (E30, E60, E90)
- The cable with its supports in a furnace on the standard temperature curve, at up to 400 V; E30, E60 and E90 hold only for the support system tested. Sources: Datwyler (N)HXCH FE180 E90 datasheet (maker's catalogue)
UL 2196
- A furnace on the ASTM E119 time-temperature curve (NFPA 262 Annex A names it for UL 2196). Sources: NFPA 262:2023 (NFPA free access), Annex A, A.1.1.1 (read in the standard)
- Ratings up to 2 h, with a hose stream after the fire. Sources: research: equivalents map F5 (UL 2196 not read) (typical practice)
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 BS 6387 (C, W, Z), BS 8491, EN 50200 (PH), DIN 4102-12 (E30, E60, E90), UL 2196 equivalent to IEC 60331?
No. Flame or furnace, temperature, mechanical shock, water and what is tested (a cable alone, or a cable with its supports) all differ: a time or class from one test says nothing about another.