Cable tests that are not equivalent, and why
IEC 61034-2 ≠ IS 10810-63
Not equivalent, because The same cube and fire, a different result: IS 10810-63 reports an absorbance, while the IEC recommendation and the product limits are written as light transmittance; the test pieces per diameter differ too.
IEC 61034-2
- A sample burnt in a closed 3 m cube; the smoke is measured as the light that still gets through. Sources: IEC 61034-1 and IEC 61034-2:2005+AMD1:2013+AMD2:2019 (edition 3.2): 61034-1 cl 4 p. 6 (3 m cube); 61034-2 Annex B p. 17 (recommended light transmittance), cl 7 p. 9 (normalisation) (read in the standard)
- IEC 61034-2 itself recommends at least 60 % light transmittance where the cable standard sets no limit. Sources: IEC 61034-1 and IEC 61034-2:2005+AMD1:2013+AMD2:2019 (edition 3.2): 61034-1 cl 4 p. 6 (3 m cube); 61034-2 Annex B p. 17 (recommended light transmittance), cl 7 p. 9 (normalisation) (read in the standard)
IS 10810-63
- The same 3 m cube, but the result is a standard absorbance A0, not a light transmittance: convert with T = 10^(-Am) before applying a limit written as transmittance (IS 17048: at least 70 %). Sources: IS 10810 (Part 63):1993, cl. 6.2, 6.3, 10.1, pp. 3-6 (read in the standard); IS 17048:2018, cl. 5.3, p. 4 (flammability), cl. 5.6, p. 4 (smoke), Annex A item 9, p. 19 (halogen) (read in the standard)
- Test pieces by diameter: 3 from 10 to 25 mm, 2 from 25 to 40 mm, below 10 mm not set; EN 61034-2: 3 from 10 to 20 mm, 2 from 20 to 40 mm. Sources: IS 10810 (Part 63):1993, cl. 6.2, 6.3, 10.1, pp. 3-6 (read in the standard); CLC/FprTS 50576:2016 (final draft), Table C.2 (the EN 61034-2 test pieces) (read in a draft)
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 IS 10810-63 equivalent to IEC 61034-2?
No. The same cube and fire, a different result: IS 10810-63 reports an absorbance, while the IEC recommendation and the product limits are written as light transmittance; the test pieces per diameter differ too.