Cable tests that are not equivalent, and why
IEC 60332-1-2 ≠ VW-1 (UL 2556 FV-2) / FT1
Not equivalent, because The flame, the number of flame applications and the pass criterion differ: a cable that passes one has not shown that it passes the other.
IEC 60332-1-2
- One 1 kW flame on a single vertical cable, applied once for a time set by the cable diameter. Sources: IEC 60332-1-2:2004+AMD1:2015 (edition 1.1), Table 1 p. 7 (flame time by diameter), Annex A p. 11 (recommended pass) (read in the standard)
- Pass: the char ends at least 50 mm below the top clamp and no lower than 540 mm below it. Sources: IEC 60332-1-2:2004+AMD1:2015 (edition 1.1), Table 1 p. 7 (flame time by diameter), Annex A p. 11 (recommended pass) (read in the standard)
- CPR class Eca uses the same test: the flame stops within 425 mm. Sources: EN 13501-6 draft (BSI FSH/21_11_0073, undated, before the published EN 13501-6:2014), Table 1 (read in a draft)
VW-1 (UL 2556 FV-2) / FT1
- 5 flame applications of 15 s each. Sources: UL 1581, 4th ed. revised to 2013-01-30, clause 1080.1 (the VW-1 method, now UL 2556 FV-2) (read in the standard)
- Judged by a paper indicator flag above the flame and cotton below the cable; their limits are not held here. Sources: UL 1581, 4th ed. revised to 2013-01-30, clause 1080.1 (the VW-1 method, now UL 2556 FV-2) (read in the standard)
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 VW-1 (UL 2556 FV-2) / FT1 equivalent to IEC 60332-1-2?
No. The flame, the number of flame applications and the pass criterion differ: a cable that passes one has not shown that it passes the other.