IEC 60331-4:2024
(Main)Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 4: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C for cables of rated voltage higher than 1 kV up to and including 30 kV
Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 4: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C for cables of rated voltage higher than 1 kV up to and including 30 kV
IEC 60331-4:2024 specifies the test apparatus and procedure, and gives the performance requirements, including recommended flame application times and flame temperatures, for power cables of rated voltage higher than 0,6/1,0 kV up to and including 18/30 kV for maintaining circuit integrity when subject to fire and mechanical shock under specified conditions.
The test method in this document is restricted to conductor sizes up to and including 120 mm2. The test results for 120 mm2 size conductors constructions qualify larger cross-sections of the same cable construction.
In the case of preassembled three-core cables, then the complete cable is considered as tested when a complete single-core of the cable has been tested.
This document includes details for the specific point of failure, continuity checking arrangement, test sample, test procedure and test report relevant to electric power cables with a rated voltage higher than 0,6/1,0 kV up to and including 18/30 kV.
Annex A provides the method of verification of the burner and control system used for the test.
Annex B provides a choice of the recommended test apparatus.
Annex C provides, as an option, guidance for using either water spray or water jet protocols.
Annex D provides, as an option, the flame temperature of 1 000 °C, which is applicable for special applications.
Requirements are stated for an identification that can optionally be marked on the cable to signify compliance with this document.
This group safety publication focusing on the test method for circuit integrity safety for power cables of rated voltage higher than 1 kV up to and including 30 kV under fire conditions, is primarily intended to be used as a product safety standard for the products mentioned in the scope, but is also intended to be used by TCs in the preparation of publications for products similar to those mentioned in the scope of this group safety publication, in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and lSO/lEC Guide 51.
One of the responsibilities of a TC is, wherever applicable, to make use of either BSPs or GSPs, or both, in the preparation of its publications.
WARNING – The test given in this document can involve the use of dangerous voltages and temperatures. Suitable precautions should be taken against the risk of shock, burning, fire and explosion that can arise, and against any noxious fumes that can be produced.
General Information
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 60331-4 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity –
Part 4: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C for
cables of rated voltage higher than 1kV up to and including 30 kV
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.
IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.
IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews, graphical symbols and the glossary.
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced With a subscription you will always have access to up to date
and withdrawn publications. content tailored to your needs.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
details all new publications released. Available online and once
containing more than 22 500 terminological entries in English
a month by email.
and French, with equivalent terms in 25 additional languages.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
(IEV) online.
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
IEC 60331-4 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity –
Part 4: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C for
cables of rated voltage higher than 1kV up to and including 30 kV
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.060.20; 13.220.40 ISBN 978-2-8327-0072-3
– 2 – IEC 60331-4:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Test conditions . 8
5 Test apparatus . 9
5.1 Test equipment . 9
5.2 Test ladder and mounting . 12
5.3 Source of heat . 13
5.3.1 Burner . 13
5.3.2 Flow meters and flow rates . 14
5.3.3 Verification . 15
5.4 Shock producing device . 15
5.5 Positioning of source of heat . 16
5.6 Voltage supply arrangement . 16
6 Test specimen . 16
6.1 Test specimen preparation . 16
6.2 Test specimen mounting . 16
7 Test procedure . 17
7.1 Test equipment and arrangement . 17
7.2 Electrical connections and electrification . 17
7.3 Flame, shock application and voltage supply. 18
7.4 Optional water spray or water jet. 18
8 Performance requirements. 18
8.1 Flame application time . 18
8.2 Acceptance criteria . 18
9 Retest procedure . 18
10 Test report . 19
11 Cable marking . 19
Annex A (normative) Verification procedure for the source of heat . 20
A.1 Measuring equipment . 20
A.2 Procedure . 20
A.3 Evaluation . 21
A.4 Further verification . 21
A.5 Verification report . 21
Annex B (informative) Guidance on the choice of recommended test apparatus . 22
Annex C (informative) Guidance for using optional water spray or water jet protocol . 23
C.1 General . 23
C.2 Modifications for optional water spray or jet protocols . 23
C.2.1 Water spay device – Option A . 23
C.2.2 Water jet device – Option B . 24
C.3 Additional inclusion for test report . 27
C.4 Additional cable marking . 27
Annex D (informative) Guidance for using 1 000 °C temperature testing . 28
D.1 General . 28
D.2 Test apparatus . 28
D.3 Verification procedure for the source of heat . 28
D.4 Additional marking . 28
Bibliography . 29
Figure 1 – Schematic diagram of test configuration (not to scale) . 10
Figure 2 – Plan view of fire test equipment . 11
Figure 3 – End elevation of fire test equipment (not to scale) . 12
Figure 4 – Typical rubber bush for supporting the test ladder . 13
Figure 5 – Burner face . 14
Figure 6 – Schematic diagram of an example of a burner control system . 15
Figure 7 – Method of mounting test specimen . 17
Figure A.1 – Temperature measuring arrangement . 20
Figure C.1 – Water spray tube . 24
Figure C.2 – Water spray application . 24
Figure C.3 – Hose nozzle . 25
Figure C.4 – Water jet application . 26
Figure C.5 – End elevation of water jet application . 26
– 4 – IEC 60331-4:2024 © IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TESTS FOR ELECTRIC CABLES UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS –
CIRCUIT INTEGRITY –
Part 4 – Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830 °C
for cables of rated voltage higher than 1 kV up to and including 30 kV
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as "IEC Publication(s)"). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no po
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.