⚡ Resistance of a single small insulated electric wire or cable or optical fibre cable (cross-section below 0,5 mm²) to vertical flame propagation — procedure for diffusion flame; PN-EN 60332-2-2

Electronics and EMC PN-EN 60332-2-2

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. IEC 60332-2-2:2004 (clause 1) specifies the procedure for testing the resistance of a single, vertical, small insulated electric conductor or cable or optical fibre cable to vertical flame propagation; the apparatus is given in IEC 60332-2-1. The method is used when the method of IEC 60332-1-2 is not suitable, because some small optical fibre cables may break and small conductors may melt during flame application; the recommended range is single conductors or cables with a cross-section below 0,5 mm². Note of the standard: compliance of a single conductor with its requirements is not sufficient to prevent the propagation of fire under all installation conditions — in long vertical runs of bunches of cables special precautions are needed, and a bunch need not behave like a single sample (IEC 60332-3 series). Recommended performance requirements (criteria) are given in Annex A. The standard has the status of a group safety publication (IEC Guide 104). Normative references: IEC 60332-2-1, IEC 60695-4 (terminology of fire tests) and IEC Guide 104; terms: ignition source and char. The IEC 60332 series also includes parts 1-1 (apparatus), 1-2 (1 kW pre-mixed flame) and 1-3 (flaming droplets and particles) for a single insulated wire or cable, and part 2-1 (apparatus for small wires). The “Scope” field of the PKN card of PN-EN 60332-2-2:2010 (Polish version), in our translation: “A method of testing small optical fibre cables and small insulated wires or cables with a metal conductor to which, because of their dimensions, the generally accepted methods cannot be applied is described. The position of the test piece in relation to the diffusion-type burner is specified. 2 terms are defined”.

TEST PIECE AND CONDITIONING (points 5.1–5.2). The test piece is a length of insulated wire or cable of (600 ± 25) mm. Before the test all test pieces are conditioned for at least 16 h at a temperature of (23 ± 5) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 20) %. A wire or cable coated with paint or varnish is kept at a temperature of (60 ± 2) °C for 4 h before conditioning.

POSITIONING OF THE TEST PIECE (point 5.3). Wires and cables with metal conductors: the test piece is straightened and fixed with wire vertically in the centre of the metal screen (IEC 60332-2-1, point 4.2); a load of 5 N per mm² of conductor cross-section is attached to its lower part so that the distance from the point where the load is attached to the lower edge of the upper support is (550 ± 5) mm; the axis of the test piece — in the centre of the screen, 150 mm from each side and 225 mm from the back. Optical fibre cables: the test piece is fixed with wire to two horizontal supports so that the distance between the lower part of the upper support and the upper part of the lower support is (550 ± 5) mm and the lower end of the test piece is about 50 mm above the base of the screen. Flame application (point 5.4) and evaluation of the results (clause 6) — titles only in the fragment we read.

EDITION. The first edition of IEC 60332-2-2 (2004, IEC technical committee TC 20 Electric cables), together with IEC 60332-2-1, replaced the standard IEC 60332-2 of 1989, splitting it into two parts. In the iTeh catalogue (read on 28.10.2026) IEC 60332-2-2:2004 has the status “Published” and the stage “PPUB – Publication issued”, and EN 60332-2-2:2004 — “Published”.

STATUS (PKN card as of 28.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 60332-2-2:2010 (Polish version) has no withdrawal label: publication 02-12-2010, 15 pages, Electrical Engineering Sector, KT 53 Cables and Wires, “Adopts: EN 60332-2-2:2004 [IDT], IEC 60332-2-2:2004 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 60332-2-2:2005 - English version”, ICS 29.060.20, 13.220.40; the card has no “Directive” or “Mandate” fields. PKN search, search term “60332-2-2” (27.10.2026): next to it is only the withdrawn PN-EN 60332-2-2:2005 (English version).

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database refreshed from the production server on 27.10.2026 and current PCA documents). Number 60332-2-2 appears in 6 records at 6 Polish laboratories: AB 023, AB 067, AB 261, AB 1280, AB 1501, AB 1552. In the current PCA documents of each of them the standard occurs once — 6 in total, as many as in the copy; no entry is suspended. Notations: “PN-EN 60332-2-2:2010” (AB 067, AB 261, AB 1552) and “PN-EN 60332-2-2” without a year (AB 023, AB 1280, AB 1501). In all 6 entries the standard is next to PN-EN 60332-1-2 (1 kW flame), and in some also next to PN-EN 60332-1-1, PN-EN 60332-1-3 and PN-EN 60695-11-2. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 60332-2-2”) shows 8 laboratories: these 6 Polish ones and 2 Czech ones (query of the tab on labcoda.pl, 28.10.2026).

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (database copy and PCA documents, complete entries). Electric cables and wires — vertical flame propagation along a single insulated wire or cable: extent and type of damage, flame propagation, flaming droplets (AB 023, together with PN-EN 60332-1-1, -1-2 “N”, -1-3, PN-EN 60695-11-2, PN-EN 60332-2-1, PN-EN 50576 and PN-EN 13501-6); insulated wires, electric cables, optical fibre cables and heating cables — resistance to vertical flame propagation, described as “fire hazard with a 1 kW mixed flame”, extent of insulation charring (AB 067, with PN-EN 60332-1-1, -1-2 with amendments and PN-EN 60695-11-2); cables, electric wires and optical fibre cables — extent and type of damage, flame propagation, flaming droplets (AB 1280, with PN-EN 60332-1-2 and -1-3); the same “by the single flame method” together with UNECE Regulation No. 118, Annex 10 (AB 1501); non-metallic materials and plastics, including cables and wires — flammability tests with a 1 kW and 50 W test flame (AB 1552, with PN-EN 60695-11-2, PN-EN 60332-1-2, PN-EN 60695-11-10, PN-EN ISO 9773 and UL 94); cables and wires with a rated voltage up to 18/30 kV and an outer diameter up to 100 mm — resistance to flame propagation (AB 261, with PN-EN 60332-1-2 with amendments).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — choice of method: 60332-2-2 (diffusion flame) is used when the method of 60332-1-2 (1 kW pre-mixed flame) is not suitable — the recommended range is a cross-section below 0,5 mm²; since both standards are in the same scope entries, the report must state by which method a given test piece was tested — a description “with a 1 kW flame” for a small wire means the method of part 1-2, not 2-2. Second — load: 5 N per mm² of conductor cross-section (not of the cross-section of the whole wire); for optical fibre cables two supports instead of a load. Third — conditioning: at least 16 h at (23 ± 5) °C and (50 ± 20) %, and varnished wires — 4 h at (60 ± 2) °C beforehand. Fourth — position: axis of the test piece 150 mm from the sides and 225 mm from the back of the screen, distance (550 ± 5) mm. Fifth — bunches: the result for a single wire does not say how a bunch will behave (IEC 60332-3 series).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. The fragment of IEC 60332-2-2:2004 we read ends at point 5.3.2. We do not give the method of flame application (point 5.4), the evaluation of the results (clause 6), the recommended performance requirements (Annex A) or the description of the apparatus and burner (IEC 60332-2-1). We did not check references to the standard in legislation.

Method principle

A 600 mm length of small insulated wire or cable, after conditioning, is fixed vertically in a metal screen (a wire with a metal conductor — with a load of 5 N per mm² of conductor cross-section, an optical fibre cable — between two supports 550 mm apart) and exposed to the diffusion flame of the apparatus in accordance with IEC 60332-2-1, checking the resistance of the test piece to vertical flame propagation; the result is evaluated according to clause 6 and the recommendations of Annex A (IEC 60332-2-2:2004, clauses 1, 4–6; point 5.4 and clause 6 — titles only in the fragment we read).

Applications

• Single small insulated electric wires and cables and small optical fibre cables — recommended cross-section below 0,5 mm² (IEC 60332-2-2:2004, clause 1)
• Products for which the method of IEC 60332-1-2 is not suitable (possible breaking of a small optical fibre cable or melting of a small conductor)
• In the same scope entries: PN-EN 50576 and PN-EN 13501-6 (AB 023) and UNECE Regulation No. 118, Annex 10 (AB 1501)
• In accreditation scopes: 6 Polish laboratories, always next to PN-EN 60332-1-2

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 60332-2-2:2010 (wersja polska; wprowadza EN 60332-2-2:2004 i IEC 60332-2-2:2004 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Badania palności kabli i przewodów elektrycznych oraz światłowodowych — Część 2-2: Sprawdzanie odporności pojedynczego cienkiego izolowanego przewodu lub kabla na pionowe rozprzestrzenianie się płomienia — Metoda z użyciem płomienia dyfuzyjnego

Title (EN)

Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions — Part 2-2: Test for vertical flame propagation for a single small insulated wire or cable — Procedure for diffusion flame

Step-by-step procedure

1. Test piece and conditioning

   Length (600 ± 25) mm; at least 16 h at (23 ± 5) °C and (50 ± 20) %; varnished wire — 4 h at (60 ± 2) °C beforehand (points 5.1–5.2).

2. Positioning

   Wire with a metal conductor: vertically in the centre of the screen, load 5 N/mm² of conductor cross-section, distance (550 ± 5) mm; optical fibre cable: between two supports (550 ± 5) mm, lower end about 50 mm above the base (point 5.3).

3. Flame and evaluation

   Application of the diffusion flame and evaluation of propagation according to point 5.4 and clause 6 (titles) and the recommendations of Annex A.

4. Result

   Report stating the method (60332-2-2, not 60332-1-2). PN-EN 60332-2-2:2010 — current (PKN card as of 28.10.2026; Polish version).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Test with an open flame — fume extraction and fire protection of the test station
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the result for a single wire does not apply to bunches of cables (IEC 60332-3 series)

Frequently asked questions