EN 13763-17:2025

Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 17: Verification of the no-fire current of electric detonators

This document specifies a method for determining the no-fire current of electric detonators. This document applies to explosives for civil uses.

Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 17: Überprüfung der Nichtansprechstromstärke elektrischer Zünder

Dieses Dokument legt ein Prüfverfahren zur Überprüfung der Nichtansprechstromstärke elektrischer Zünder fest.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für nicht-elektrische Zünder, elektronische Zünder, Sprengkapseln und halbfertige Zünder.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für Oberflächenverbinder, Sprengschnurverzögerer und elektronische Zündsysteme.

Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour cordeau détonant - Partie 17: Vérification du courant maximal de non-feu des détonateurs électriques

Le présent document spécifie une méthode de vérification du courant de non-feu 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 connecteurs de surface, aux relais pour cordeau détonant et aux systèmes d’amorçage électroniques.

Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Detonatorji in zakasnilniki - 17. del: Preverjanje toka brez vžiga 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: 29-Aug-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/562 - Standardization Request on Explosives for civil use
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13763-17:2025 - Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 17: Verification of the no-fire current of electric detonators

Relations

• Replaces: EN 13763-17:2003 - Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and relays - Part 17: Determination of no-fire current of electric detonators
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 13763-17:2025 - published by CEN in October 2025 - specifies a standardized test method for the verification of the no-fire current of electric detonators used in explosives for civil uses. The standard defines how to determine the highest electrical current that will not initiate an electric detonator (the no-fire current) and replaces EN 13763-17:2003. It applies to electric detonators (or their fuse heads with lead wires) and explicitly excludes non-electric, electronic, plain or semi-finished detonators, surface connectors, detonating cord relays and electronic initiation systems.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: Determine the current level giving 50% firing probability, then run a controlled series of tests and evaluate results statistically (PROBIT model) to calculate the no-fire current.
• Sample size and conditioning: Select 210 test pieces; condition samples at (20 ± 2) °C and relative humidity ≤ 60 % for at least 1 hour.
• Apparatus: Square-pulse current supply with strict electrical performance:
  • output tolerance ±1%,
  • pulse-duration uncertainty ±1%,
  • current overshoot ≤10% (≤1 ms),
  • rise time ≤1 ms (on resistive load).
• Pulse durations by class:
  • Class I & II: 10 s ±1%
  • Class III: 1 min ±1%
  • Class IV: 5 min ±1%
• Statistical procedures:
  • Determine I50% (50% firing current) and standard deviation using Bruceton (Annex A) or Langlie (Annex B) methods with 30 initial test pieces.
  • Perform 9 stimulus levels × 20 tests = 180 tests; inputs to PROBIT: 9 levels, 20 tests/level, firing current as tested quantity.
• Pass/fail criteria: No-fire current I_NF,cal compared to class ranges:
  • Class I: 0.18 A < I_NF,cal < 0.45 A
  • Class II: 0.45 A ≤ I_NF,cal < 1.20 A
  • Class III: 1.20 A ≤ I_NF,cal < 4.00 A
  • Class IV: 4.00 A ≤ I_NF,cal
• Reporting: Test report must reference EN 13763-17:2025, identify tested detonator, record all measured values, note which statistical method (Bruceton or Langlie) was used, and state pass/fail with observations.

Applications

• Quality assurance and production testing of electric detonators for civilian blasting and demolition.
• Safety verification to establish safe current limits for handling, storage and initiation circuits.
• Regulatory and conformity evidence for suppliers, manufacturers, test laboratories and procurement bodies.

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers of electric detonators and detonator fuse heads
• Accredited test laboratories and QA teams working with explosives for civil uses
• Safety engineers, regulatory compliance officers and procurement specialists in mining, construction and demolition sectors

Related standards

• EN 13763-1:2025 - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 1: Requirements
• EN 13857-1:2025 - Vocabulary for explosives for civil uses
• EN 13763-17:2025 references PROBIT testing procedures (see EN 13763-1 Annex C) and lists EN ISO/IEC 17025 in the bibliography.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Detonatorji in zakasnilniki - 17. del: Preverjanje
toka brez vžiga električnih detonatorjev
Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord relays - Part 17: Verification of
the no-fire current of electric detonators
Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 17:
Überprüfung der Nichtansprechstromstärke elektrischer Zünder
Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour cordeau détonant - Partie 17:
Vérification du courant maximal de non-feu des détonateurs électriques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13763-17:2025
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 13763-17
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 71.100.30 Supersedes EN 13763-17:2003
English Version
Explosives for civil uses - Detonators and detonating cord
relays - Part 17: Verification of the no-fire current of
electric detonators
Explosifs à usage civil - Détonateurs et relais pour Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Zünder und
cordeau détonant - Partie 17: Vérification du courant Sprengschnurverzögerer - Teil 17: Überprüfung der
maximal de non-feu des détonateurs électriques Nichtansprechstromstärke 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 13763-17:2025 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 samples . 6
7 Procedure . 6
7.1 General. 6
7.2 Determination of the current level for 50 % firing . 6
7.3 Determination of the no-fire current level . 6
8 Expression of results . 7
9 Test report . 7
Annex A (normative) Determination of the current level for 50 %-firing using the Bruceton
method . 8
A.1 General. 8
A.2 Determination of the initial current value . 8
A.3 Procedure . 9
A.4 Calculation of results . 9
A.5 Alternative calculation procedure . 10
Annex B (normative) Determination of the current level for 50 %-firing using the Langlie method
............................................................................................................................................................................. 12
B.1 General. 12
B.2 Determination of the initial current level . 12
B.3 Procedure . 12
B.4 Calculation of stimulus levels . 13
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 . 14
Bibliography . 15

European foreword
This document (EN 13763-17:2025) 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 13763-17:2003.
EN 13763-17:2003:
a) the document title has been changed from “Detonators and relays — Part 17: Determination of no-
fire current of electric detonators” to “Detonators and detonating cord relays — Part 17: Verification
of no-fire current of electric detonators”;
b) the Scope has been revised to clarify the covered and not covered explosives;
c) the normative references have been updated;
d) the terminology entry 3.1 has been removed;
e) Clause 4 “Principle” has been added;
f) the clause “Apparatus” has been updated;
g) the clause “Test pieces” is now called “Preparation of test sample”, has been revised to clarify the
number and kind of test pieces and the conditioning step has been moved there from the Clause
“Procedure”;
h) the clause “Procedure” has been restructured, revised and further detailed to adjust and clarify the
statistical procedure and electrical parameters and the former Clause 7 “Calculation of test results”
has been integrated;
i) Clause 8 “Expression of results” has been added;
j) the clause “Test report” does no longer require conformity with EN ISO/IEC 17025 and the
information to be provided has been revised;
k) the former Annex A “Range of applicability of the test method” has been removed;
l) a new Annex A “Determination of the current level for 50 %-firing using the Bruceton method” and a
new Annex B “Determination of the current level for 50 %-firing using the Langlie method” have been
added;
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 test method for the verification of the no-fire current of electric detonators.
This document does not apply to non-electric detonators, electronic detonators, plain detonators, and
semi-finished detonators.
This document does not apply to surface connectors, detonating cord relays 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
The no-fire current is the highest electrical current that still will not initiate an electric detonator. The
value of the no-fire current determines up to which current the detonator can be considered as safe
against initiation.
For the verification of the no-fire current, test pieces are subjected to different current levels, and it is
observed whether they explode. In a first step, the current level is determined at which the probability of
an initiation of a given test piece is 50 %. This current level then serves as a starting value for a series of
initiating tests at different current levels. The results of these initiation tests are then statically evaluated
1)
using the PROBIT test with the no-fire current as result that is then compared with the value specified
for the tested detonator.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Square pulse current supply, with the following characteristics:
a) a stabilized current with a tolerance on the output of ± 1 % of the value applied in 7.2 and 7.3;
b) a square pulse with a permissible uncertainty of ± 1 % of the pulse duration applied in 7.2 and 7.3;

1) The PROBIT test is a statistical method used to characterise the sensitivity to a physical stimulus. A detailed description of
the test is given in FprEN 13763-1:2025, Annex C.
c) a current overshoot of not more than 10 % of the set current and duration ≤ 1 ms (on pure resistive
load);
d) a rise time for the current ≤ 1 ms (on pure resistive load).
5.2 Conditioning chamber, capable of maintaining a temperature of (20 ± 2) °C for 1 h.
2)
6 Preparation of test samples
210 test pieces from the electric detonator to be tested shall be selected.
In case that more than 5 test pieces are needed to determine initial current value in A.2, additional test
pieces shall be sampled.
Instead of complete detonator test pieces, only the fuse head together with the leading wires as used for
the electric detonator to be tested may be used.
Condition the test pieces by storing them in the conditioning chamber (5.2) for at least 1 h at a
temperature of (20 ± 2) °C and at a relative humidity ≤ 60 %.
7 Procedure
7.1 General
Testing shall be done at a temperature of (20 ± 2) °C and at a relative humidity ≤ 60 %.
7.2 Determination of the current level for 50 % firing
Set the pulse duration of the square pulse current supply (5.1) to
— 10 s ± 1 % for Class I and Class II electric detonators;
— 1 min ± 1 % for Class III electric detonators;
— 5 min ± 1 % for Class IV.
The class of the electric detonator shall be considered as specified in accordance with EN 13763-1:2025,
Table 1.
Record the set current value as t .
p
Using a total of 30 test pieces, determine the current level I for which the probability of explosion of a
50 %
given test piece is 50 % and the corresponding standard deviation σ applying either the Bruceton
I,50 %
method in accordance with Annex A or the Langlie method in accordance with Annex B. Record the values
for I and σ .
50 % I,50 %
7.3 Determination of the no-fire current level
Set the current supply to a current of the value t as chosen in 7.2.
p
Take a test piece out of the conditioning chamber (5.2) and connect it to the square pulse current supply
(5.1).
Apply the pulse duration and observe whether the test piece explodes.

2) The choice of sample size is based on acceptable the classification of defects that shall be avoided, critical, major and minor.
The classification of defects and size of test sa
...