In the realm of electrical and electronic applications, the safety of materials is of utmost importance. The needle flame test instrument, especially the Pego NF-1 Needle Flame Test Instrument, plays a pivotal role in evaluating the flammability of materials. This article delves into the details of this testing method, the instrument's specifications, its applications, and the importance to the product safety testing.

1. Analysis on Needle Flame Test

1.1 Test Overview

The Needle Flame Test is a test method used to evaluate the fire resistance of electrical and electronic equipment. It simulates the flame retardant performance of the equipment when it is exposed to a small flame to detect its safety under fire conditions. It uses a flame burner (needle flame device) of a specific size and shape to contact the surface of the equipment and observe the reaction of the equipment.

The needle flame test is a standardized approach to assess the flammability of materials. It involves applying a specific flame to a test sample at a particular angle and for a set duration. The main objective is to measure parameters such as ignition time, flame spread, and afterflame duration.

1.2 Applicable Standards

The standards for needle flame testing include IEC 60695-11-5, GB/T 5169.5-2008, etc. These standards specify various parameters and conditions required for testing to ensure the accuracy and compliance of the test, like flame characteristics, burner, sample dimensions, environmental conditions, test procedure, evaluation of test results and so on.

1.3 Purpose

The main purpose of the needle flame test is to evaluate the fire safety of the equipment, prevent the spread of fire, and ensure that the equipment complies with relevant regulations and standards. By observing the degree of combustion and burning time of the equipment under the action of flame, it can be evaluated whether the equipment has sufficient flame retardancy and fire resistance, thereby ensuring the safety of the equipment when in use.

1.4 Application

Needle flame test is widely used in the electrical and electronic products industry, especially for testing small parts or components that are not suitable for glow wire test and horizontal and vertical burning test. It is suitable for research, production and quality inspection departments of lighting, low voltage electrical appliances, household appliances, machine tool electrical appliances, motors, power tools, electronic instruments, electrical instruments, electrical connectors and other equipment and their components.

1.5 Importance of the Needle Flame Test

Needle flame testing is of vital importance in many fields, as follows:

1) Safety assurance to preventing fire accidents: In electronic, electrical equipment and automotive field, screening out materials with good flame retardancy through needle flame testing can effectively reduce the risk of fire.

2) Protecting personnel safety: Needle flame testing can ensure that product materials will not burn violently when exposed to a small flame source, thereby protecting the safety of users.

3) Safety Compliance: In industries like electronics, materials must pass this test to meet safety requirements for consumer use.

4) Risk Mitigation: Helps manufacturers identify hazardous materials early in the design process, reducing the risk of fires and electrical malfunctions.

5) Quality Assurance: Ensures materials meet quality standards, enhancing product reliability and customer trust.

2. Pego NF-1 Needle Flame Test Apparatus

Pego Needle flame test apparatus is strictly designed according to IEC60695-11-5(IEC60695-2-2) . It is applicable to ignition hazard test, combustibility test of electronic industry and home electronic appliance. The equipment specifies a needle-flame test to simulate the effect of a small flame which may result from fault conditions, in order to assess product and material’s ignition risk and fire resistance by a simulation technique the fire.

2.1 Key Specifications

2.2 Advantage of Choosing Pego Needle Flame Test Machine

A: Burners:

A: The dimensions of the burner are strict and precise, with the inner diameter maintained at Φ 0.5mm ± 0.1mm, the outer diameter strictly controlled at ≤Φ 0.9mm, and the length standard 35mm. High-quality stainless steel is used, which is resistant to high temperature and corrosion, providing a solid guarantee for stable flame generation, ensuring the concentration of flame shape and energy focus.

B: The burner angle is flexible and changeable, and can be switched between 45° or 90° at will, easily adapting to the diverse needs of different products and different test parts, and accurately simulating various actual flame contact scenarios.

B: Time control without any errors:

A: The flame duration adjustment accuracy is as high as 0.1s, and it can be set at will within a wide range of 0 - 999.9s. Conventional testing of 30s can effectively test product performance, and it can also be finely customized under special needs.

B: The burning duration record is also accurate and correct, automatically archived and supports manual pause on demand, and monitoring without breakpoints throughout the process, providing a complete data chain for analyzing the combustion process and evaluating the flame retardant properties of the product.

C: Strictly regulated flame parameters:

A: The flame height is kept at 12mm ± 1mm in a steady state, and a professional steel ruler is used for real-time calibration; the combustion gas purity is excellent, and ≥ 95% of butane or propane is stably supplied to ensure that the flame temperature curve meets the standard, and the time taken to soar from 100℃ ± 2℃ to 700℃ ± 3℃ is accurately locked within 23.5s ± 1s, providing solid support for test repeatability and comparability.

B: Insightful sensor matrix: Equipped with a highly sensitive Φ0.5mm K-type thermocouple, an insulating sheath with super heat resistance of 1100℃, and a specially made Φ4mm copper temperature sensor with a weight accurately controlled at 0.58 ± 0.1g and a built-in K-type thermocouple, it can capture subtle changes in the temperature of the flame and the sample in real time and accurately, providing massive and accurate data for test analysis.

D: Test environment:

A spacious test space of ≥ 0.5m³ is constructed, and the interior is treated with matte black with excellent light absorption. The illumination is strictly reduced to ≤ 20Lux to eliminate external light interference to the maximum extent; the Φ70mm automatic exhaust hole operates in real time to maintain stable air pressure and clean environment, creating ideal conditions for the accuracy of test results.

E: Thoughtful and practical auxiliary design:

Built-in convenient sample pickup tray, quick cleaning without residue after the test; exclusive gas calibration device relies on the built-in temperature measurement box, one-click calibration of gas parameters before testing to ensure flame stability; rich accessories are available, including wrapping paper towels to simulate combustion media, flat and smooth wooden boards to carry samples, and high-precision height gauges to assist in measurement, fully meeting complex test needs.

3. Conclusion

The needle flame tester of Pego is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of materials in electrical and electronic applications. Adhering to testing standards and leveraging advanced technology helps manufacturers manage flammability risks, protect consumers, and improve product quality. As safety standards and materials technology progress, the needle flame test will continue to be a crucial factor in promoting safety and innovation across industries.