EN 13763-18:2025

Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 18: Verification of the series firing current of electric detonators

This document specifies a method to determine the series firing current of electric detonators. This document is applicable to explosives for civil uses.

Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 18: Überprüfung des Serienzündstromes elektrischer Zünder

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Überprüfung des Serienzündstroms elektrischer Zünder fest.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für nicht-elektrische Zünder, elektronische Zünder, Sprengkapseln und halbfertige Zünder.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für Zündschläuche, Zünderdrähte, Oberflächenverbinder, Sprengschnurverzögerer, Verbinder und elektronische Zündsysteme.
.

Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour cordeau détonant - Partie 18: Vérification du courant d'allumage en série de détonateurs électriques

Le présent document spécifie une méthode de vérification du courant d’allumage en série des détonateurs électriques.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux détonateurs non électriques, électroniques, pyrotechniques ou semi-finis.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux tubes à transmission d’ondes de choc, aux fils d’amorce, aux connecteurs de surface, aux relais pour cordeau détonant, aux manchons d’accouplement et aux systèmes d’amorçage électroniques.

Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Detonatorji in zakasnilniki - 18. del: Preverjanje serijskega vžigalnega toka električnih detonatorjev

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2025
• ICS: 71.100.30 - Explosives. Pyrotechnics and fireworks
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 321 - Explosives for civil uses
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 321/WG 4 - Detonators and relays
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 01-Oct-2025
• Due Date: 04-Apr-2022
• Completion Date: 01-Oct-2025
• Directive: 2014/28/EU - Directive 2014/28/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses
• Mandate: M/055 - Standardization mandate to CEN for explosives for civil uses
• Mandate: M/562 - Standardization Request on Explosives for civil use
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13763-18:2025 - Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 18: Verification of the series firing current of electric detonators

Relations

• Replaces: EN 13763-18:2003 - Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and relays - Part 18: Determination of series firing current of electric detonators
• Effective Date: 18-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 13763-18:2025 is a European standard developed by CEN focusing on explosives for civil uses. Specifically, it covers electric detonators and detonating cord relays with an emphasis on the verification of the series firing current of electric detonators. This standard specifies a reliable method to determine and verify the current required to initiate a series of electric detonators, ensuring safety and effectiveness in blasting applications. It is applicable exclusively to electric detonators and excludes non-electric, electronic, and certain other types of detonators and initiation systems.

This updated version supersedes EN 13763-18:2003 and incorporates significant technical revisions aimed at improving clarity, testing procedures, and conformity with related standards like EN 13763-1:2025.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability
  • Defines the verification process for series firing current of electric detonators for civil explosives
  • Excludes non-electric, electronic, semi-finished detonators, shock tubes, and other initiation devices
• Testing principles
  • Series firing current ensures all detonators in a series fire simultaneously without misfires
  • Two-step verification: current interruption test and series firing test
• Testing apparatus requirements
  • Current source delivering square current pulses with strict control on amplitude, rise/fall time, and overshoot
  • Timing measurement device with microsecond resolution to detect current interruption accurately
• Sample preparation
  • Specific sample size and selection per detonator type (instantaneous, delay) based on defect classification
• Detailed testing procedures
  • Current interruption test: measures if and when current is interrupted during the pulse, indicating proper fuse wire functioning
  • Series firing test: applying series firing current over a calculated pulse duration to five detonators connected in series
• Result expression and reporting
  • Standardized formats for documenting measurements, interruptions, and test outcomes
  • Test reports no longer mandatorily tied to ISO/IEC 17025 compliance but require detailed information
• Safety measures
  • Guidelines to prevent sympathetic detonations during testing by using protective barriers

Applications

EN 13763-18:2025 is essential for manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and regulatory bodies involved in the production, testing, and certification of electric detonators used in civil explosive operations. Its primary applications include:

• Quality assurance testing of electric detonators ensuring they meet specified series firing currents for reliable blast initiation.
• Safety validation of detonators to minimize misfires or incomplete detonations during civil blasting projects such as mining, construction, and quarrying.
• Standardized evaluation methods facilitating consistent product performance assessments across European nations and other CEN member countries.
• Regulatory compliance related to European directives governing the marketing and supervision of civil-use explosives.

This standard supports improved operational safety, product reliability, and adherence to legal frameworks for explosives.

Related Standards

• EN 13763-1:2025 – Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 1: Requirements
  Provides foundational requirements and definitions related to detonators and detonating cord relays essential for understanding and applying Part 18.

• EN 13857-1:2025 – Explosives for civil uses - Part 1: Vocabulary
  Standardizes terminology used throughout the explosives sector to ensure clarity and uniform understanding.

• EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (referenced in bibliography)
  International standard for testing and calibration laboratories, relevant for quality assurance though not mandatory for the test report of this standard.

Summary

EN 13763-18:2025 is a critical standard specifying the methodology for verifying series firing currents of electric detonators used in civil explosives. By defining precise test methods, apparatus requirements, and reporting protocols, it enhances testing accuracy and safety. Organizations involved in manufacturing and quality control will benefit from aligning their testing processes with this standard, thus ensuring reliable and safe performance of electric detonators across various civil blasting applications. Compliance with EN 13763-18:2025 helps meet European legislative requirements and contributes to harmonized safety standards in the explosives industry.

Keywords: EN 13763-18:2025, electric detonators, series firing current, verification method, civil explosives, detonating cord relays, detonator testing, explosives standards, CEN standard, civil blasting safety, explosives quality assurance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Detonatorji in zakasnilniki - 18. del: Preverjanje
serijskega vžigalnega toka električnih detonatorjev
Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 18: Verification of
the series firing current of electric detonators
Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 18:
Überprüfung des Serienzündstromes elektrischer Zünder
Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour cordeau détonant - Partie 18:
Vérification du courant d'allumage en série de détonateurs électriques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13763-18:2025
ICS:
71.100.30 Eksplozivi. Pirotehnika in Explosives. Pyrotechnics and
ognjemeti fireworks
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 13763-18
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 71.100.30 Supersedes EN 13763-18:2003
English Version
Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord
relays - Part 18: Verification of the series firing current of
electric detonators
Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und
cordeau détonant - Partie 18: Vérification du courant Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 18: Überprüfung des
d'allumage en série de détonateurs électriques Serienzündstromes elektrischer Zünder
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 September 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13763-18:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Principle . 5
5 Apparatus . 5
)
6 Preparation of test sample . 6
7 Procedure . 6
7.1 General. 6
7.2 Current interruption test . 6
7.3 Series firing test . 7
8 Expression of results . 8
9 Test report . 8
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2014/28/EU relating to the making available on the market and
supervision of explosives for civil uses aimed to be covered . 9
Bibliography . 10

European foreword
This document (EN 13763-18:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 321 “Explosives
for civil uses”, the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 13763-18:2003.
EN 13763-18:2003:
a) the document title has been changed from “Detonators and relays — Part 18: Determination of series
firing current of electric detonators” to “Detonators and detonating cord relays — Part 18:
Verification of series firing current of electric detonators”;
b) the Introduction has been removed;
c) the Scope has been revised to clarify the covered and not covered explosives;
d) the normative references have been updated;
e) Clause 4 “Principle” has been added;
f) the clause “Apparatus” has been revised;
g) the clause “Test pieces” is now called “Preparation of test sample” and the possibility is now
considered that the fuse head differs between instantaneous and delay detonators in a delay series;
h) the clause “Procedure” has been restructured, revised and further detailed;
i) the expression “current breakage time” has been replaced by “current interruption time”;
j) Clause 8 “Expression of results” has been added;
k) the clause “Test report” does no longer require conformity with EN ISO/IEC 17025 and the
information to be provided has been revised;
l) former Annex A “Range of applicability of the test method” has been removed;
m) Annex ZA has been updated;
n) the Bibliography has been added and lists EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
A list of all parts in the EN 13763 series, published under the general title Explosives for civil uses —
Detonators and detonating cord relays, can be found on the CEN website.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the verification of the series firing current of electric detonators.
This document does not apply to non-electric detonators, electronic detonators, plain detonators, semi-
finished detonators.
This document does not apply to shock tubes, leading wires, surface connectors, detonating cord relays,
coupling accessories and electronic initiation systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13763-1:2025, Explosives for civil uses — Detonators and detonating cord relays — Part 1:
Requirements
EN 13857-1:2025, Explosives for civil uses — Part 1: Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13857-1:2025 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org
4 Principle
During blasting using electric detonators, the detonators are usually connected in series. The applied
current for the initiation of the detonators needs to initiate all fuse heads within a given time, which is
only possible if the bridge wires of all detonators are intact. For avoiding misfires the specified series
firing current has to be appropriate.
For the verification of the series firing current specified for an electric detonator, two tests are carried
out. In the first step, it is determined whether and at what time the applied current is interrupted during
the applied pulse duration. Considering the results of the first step, in a second step it is verified that the
specified series firing current initiates five test pieces connected in series.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Current source,
...