IEC 60695-11-5:2016

IEC 60695-11-5 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-12
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Fire hazard testing –
Part 11-5: Test flames – Needle-flame test method – Apparatus, confirmatory test
arrangement and guidance
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 Central Office Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
CH-1211 Geneva 20 info@iec.ch
Switzerland www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing 20 000 terms and definitions in
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other English and French, with equivalent terms in 15 additional
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
iPad. Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a 65 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in English and
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries have been
and withdrawn publications. collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37, 77, 86 and

CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: csc@iec.ch.
IEC 60695-11-5 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-12
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION
Fire hazard testing –
Part 11-5: Test flames – Needle-flame test method – Apparatus, confirmatory

test arrangement and guidance
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.220.40; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-3695-6

– 2 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General description Purpose of the test . 10
5 Description of the test apparatus . 10
5.1 Burner. 10
5.2 Gas supply . 10
5.3 Flame . 10
5.4 Control valve. 11
5.5 Laboratory fumehood/chamber . 11
5.6 Layer . 11
5.6.1 Specified layer . 11
5.6.2 Standardized layer . 11
5.7 Timing device . 11
6 Test specimen . 11
7 Severities Flame application times . 12
8 Conditioning and test conditions . 12
8.1 Conditioning . 12
8.2 Test conditions . 12
9 Test procedure . 12
9.1 General . 12
9.2 Position of test specimen . 13
9.3 Application of needle-flame . 13
9.4 Number of test specimens . 13
10 Observations and measurements . 13
11 Evaluation of test results . 14
12 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 14
13 Test report . 14
Annex A (normative) Confirmatory test arrangement . 16
A.1 Confirmation of the test flame – Principle . 16
A.2 Test apparatus . 16
A.2.1 Burner . 16
A.2.2 Control valve . 16
A.2.3 Copper block . 16
A.2.4 Thermocouple . 16
A.2.5 Temperature/time indicating/recording devices . 16
A.3 Procedure . 16
Annex B (informative) Access to equipment manufacturers and suppliers .
Annex B (informative) Example of a product committee specification . 22
Annex C (informative) Comparison of results of confirmatory tests using propane and
butane as fuel . 23
Bibliography . 24

Figure 1 – Needle Burner and flame. 15
Figure 2 – Test positions. 15
Figure A.1 – Copper block . 18
Figure A.2 – Confirmatory test arrangement . 19
Figure A.3 – Gauge to measure flame height and the distance between burner and
copper block (example) . 20

Table B.1 – Severities and requirements . 22
Table C.1 – Results of the confirmatory test using propane and butane as fuel . 23

– 4 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 11-5: Test flames – Needle-flame test method –
Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance

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) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.

International Standard IEC 60695-11-5 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 89:
Fire hazard testing.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2004. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) The scope has been broadened to allow this test method to also simulate the effects of
small flames from outside the equipment;
b) Propane and butane gas are the specified fuel source with a minimum purity of 95 %;
c) A new concept has been added which allows the burner to be moved during the test to
avoid dripping material from falling onto the tip of the burner tube;
d) The burner tube material is now a referenced source;
e) The reference for the copper block material has changed – the ISO publication (ISO 1337)
has been withdrawn with no replacement. A new callout is now used;
f) Informative Annex C and a bibliography have been added.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
89/1346/FDIS 89/1351/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
It has the status of a basic safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104 and
ISO/IEC Guide 51.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60695 series, under the general title Fire hazard testing, can
be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The “colour inside” logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this publication using a colour printer.

– 6 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
INTRODUCTION
The best method for testing electrotechnical products with regard to fire hazard is to duplicate
exactly the conditions occurring in practice. In most instances this is not possible.
Accordingly, for practical reasons, the testing of electrotechnical products with regard to fire
hazard is best conducted by simulating as closely as possible the actual effects occurring in
practice.
Parts of electrotechnical equipment which might be exposed to excessive thermal stress due
to electric effects,. This can result in deterioration of that might impair the safety of the
equipment,. Such parts should not be unduly affected by heat and or by fire generated within
the equipment.
Parts of insulating material or of other combustible material which are liable to propagate
flames inside the equipment may be ignited by flames produced by a failing component.
Under certain conditions, for example a fault current flowing over a tracking path, overloading
of components or parts and bad connections, flames may also occur; such flames may
impinge upon combustible parts in the vicinity.
This part of IEC 60695 should is intended to be used to measure and describe the properties
of materials, products or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled
laboratory conditions and should is not intended to be used to describe or appraise the fire
hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. This
standard may involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment.
It does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

FIRE HAZARD TESTING –
Part 11-5: Test flames – Needle-flame test method –
Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60695 specifies a needle-flame test to simulate the effect of a small flame
which may result from fault conditions, in order to assess the fire hazard by a simulation
technique. The results of this test may be used as elements of a fire hazard assessment
which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
hazard of a particular end use.
It is applicable to electrotechnical equipment, its sub-assemblies and components and to solid
electrical insulating materials or other combustible materials.
This basic safety publication is intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of
standards in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104 and
ISO/IEC Guide 51.
One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of
basic safety publications in the preparation of its publications. The requirements, test methods
or test conditions of this basic safety publication will not apply unless specifically referred to
or included in the relevant publications.
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.
IEC 60695-4:2012, Fire hazard testing – Part 4: Terminology concerning fire tests for
electrotechnical products
IEC Guide 104:1997, The preparation of safety publications and the use of basic safety
publications and group safety publications
ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
ISO 291, Plastics – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
ISO 4046-4:2002 2016, Paper, board, pulps and related terms – Vocabulary – Part 4: Paper
and board grades and converted products
ISO/IEC 13943:2000 2008, Fire safety – Vocabulary
ASTM-B187, Standard specification for copper, bus bar, rod, and shapes and general purpose
rod, bar, and shapes
– 8 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions of ISO/IEC 13943 given in
ISO 13943:2008, IEC 60695-4:2012 and ISO 4046:2002, as well as the following, apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
combustible, adj.
capable of being ignited and burned
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.43]
3.2
draught-free environment
space in which the results of experiments are not significantly affected by the local air speed
Note 1 to entry: A qualitative example is a space in which a wax candle flame remains essentially undisturbed.
-1 -1
Quantitative examples are small-scale fire tests in which a maximum air speed of 0,1 m × s or 0,2 m × s is
sometimes specified.
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.70]
3.3
fire
〈general〉 process of combustion characterized by the emission of heat and fire effluent and
usually accompanied by smoke, flame, glowing or a combination thereof
Note 1 to entry: In the English language the term “fire” is used to designate three concepts, two of which, fire
(3.4) and fire (3.5), relate to specific types of self-supporting combustion with different meanings and two of them
are designated using two different terms in both French and German.
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.96]
3.4
fire
〈controlled〉 self-supporting combustion that has been deliberately arranged to provide useful
effects and is limited in its extent in time and space
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.97]
3.5
fire
〈uncontrolled〉 self-supporting combustion that has not been deliberately arranged to provide
useful effects and is not limited in its extent in time and space
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.98]
3.6
fire hazard
physical object or condition with a potential for an undesirable consequence from fire (3.1)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.112]

3.7
fire risk
probability of a fire (3.3) combined with a quantified measure of its consequence
Note 1 to entry: It is often calculated as the product of probability and consequence.
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.124]
3.8
flame, noun
rapid, self-sustaining, sub-sonic propagation of combustion in a gaseous medium, usually with
emission of light
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.133]
3.9
glowing, noun
luminosity caused by heat
cf. incandescence
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.168]
3.10
glowing combustion
combustion of a material in the solid phase without flame but with emission of light from the
combustion zone
cf. incandescence
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.169]
3.11
ignition
sustained ignition (deprecated)
〈general〉 initiation of combustion
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.187]
3.12
ignition
sustained ignition (deprecated)
〈flaming combustion〉 initiation of sustained flame
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2008, 4.188]
3.13
wrapping tissue
soft and strong, lightweight wrapping paper of grammage generally between 12 g/m and
30 g/m , primarily intended for protective packaging of delicate articles and for gift wrapping
Note 1 to entry: In French, the word “mousseline” includes both white tissue and “bulle corde”, which is
unbleached or coloured tissue.
[SOURCE: ISO 4046-4:2016, 4.215]

– 10 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
4 General description Purpose of the test
Warning
Precautions shall be taken to safeguard the health of the personnel conducting tests against:
– the risks of explosion or fire;
– the inhalation of smoke and/or toxic products;
– toxic residues.
The test is performed to determine that, under defined conditions, the test flame either does
not cause ignition of parts or if it does, that a combustible parts ignited by the test flame has
have a limited duration of burning or a limited extent of burning, without spreading fire by
flames or burning or glowing particles falling from the test specimen.
This test determines the effects on the test specimen of a small flame such as may arise from
other ignited components and the relevant product specification shall specify the duration of
flame application and the criteria for acceptance.
The test flame, applied to the test specimen, imitates a flame that might arise from a
component that is close to the test specimen in the real application. Such a flame might have
occurred, for example, because of an electrical fault.
The relevant product specification shall specify, if applicable, the duration of the test flame
application and the acceptance criteria.
5 Description of the test apparatus
5.1 Burner
The burner to produce the test flame shall consist of a tube at least 35 mm long with a bore of
0,5 mm ± 0,1 mm and an outer diameter not exceeding 0,9 mm.
NOTE The tubing specified in ISO 9626:2016 [1] (0,8 mm normal walled or thin walled) meets these
requirements in this standard for an internal diameter of 0,5 mm ± 0,1 mm and an outside diameter no greater than
0,9 mm.
5.2 Gas supply
The burner is supplied with either propane or butane gas having a purity of at least not less
than 95 %.
5.3 Flame
With the axis of the burner in the vertical position, ignite the gas supply is and adjusted so
that the length the gas flow rate to ensure that the overall height of the flame is 12 mm ±
1 mm, when viewed in subdued light against a dark background (see Figure 1), and that the
flame is symmetrical. Wait for a period of at least 5 min to allow the burner conditions to reach
equilibrium. There shall be no air admitted to the burner tube.
The flame shall be confirmed using the apparatus and procedure detailed in Annex A. The
test time for the temperature to increase from 100 °C ± 5 °C to 700 °C ± 3 °C shall be 23,5 s ±
1,0 s.
___________
1 Numbers in square brackets refer to the bibliography.

5.4 Control valve
A control valve is required to set the gas flow rate to ensure that the overall height of the
flame is within the required tolerances.
5.5 Laboratory fumehood/chamber
The laboratory fumehood/chamber shall have an inside volume of at least 0,5 m . The
chamber shall provide a draught-free environment, whilst allowing normal thermal circulation
of air past the test specimen. The chamber shall permit observation of the test in progress.
The inside surfaces of the walls shall be of a dark colour. In case of dispute, the recorded
light level shall be less than 20 lx using a light meter, facing towards the rear of the chamber
and positioned in place of the test specimen.
For safety and convenience, it is desirable that this enclosure fumehood/chamber (which can
be completely closed) be fitted with an extraction device, such as an exhaust fan, to remove
products of combustion, which may be toxic. The extraction device, if used, shall be turned off
during the test and turned on immediately after the timing measurements have been made. A
positive closing damper may be needed.
NOTE Placing a mirror in the chamber, to provide a rear view of the test specimen, has been found to be useful.
5.6 Layer
5.6.1 Specified layer
To evaluate the possibility of spread of fire, for example by burning or glowing particles falling
from the test specimen, a layer of the material or components normally surrounding or
situated underneath the test specimen is shall be placed underneath the test specimen at a
distance equal to the distance between the test specimen and the surrounding material or
components when the test specimen is mounted as in normal use.
5.6.2 Standardized layer
If the test specimen is a sub-assembly or a component of the equipment and is tested
separately, such that surrounding materials and distances are unknown, a piece of flat smooth
wooden board, approximately 10 mm thick covered in close contact with a single layer of
wrapping tissue (3.13), is shall be positioned at a distance of 200 mm ± 5 mm below the place
where the needle-flame is applied to the test specimen, unless otherwise specified in the
relevant specification. Wrapping tissue as specified in 4.215 of ISO 4046-4 is a soft and
2 2
strong, lightweight wrapping tissue 12 g/m to 30 g/m .
If the test specimen is a complete free-standing equipment, it is shall be placed in its normal
position of use on the tissue covered wooden board, extending for a minimum of 100 mm
outside the base of the equipment in all directions.
If the test specimen is a complete wall-mounted equipment, it is shall be fixed in its normal
position of use 200 mm ± 5 mm above the tissue covered wooden board.
Means to fix the test specimen and the burner in position may be necessary.
5.7 Timing device
The timing device shall have a tolerance resolution of not more than 0,5 s.
6 Test specimen
If possible, the test specimen shall be a complete equipment, sub-assembly or component. If
it is necessary to take away parts of an enclosure or to cut off a suitable part to perform the

– 12 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
test, care shall be taken to ensure that the test conditions are not significantly different from
those occurring in normal use with regard to shape, ventilation conditions, effect of thermal
stresses and possible flames occurring, or burning or glowing particles falling in the vicinity of
the test specimen.
If the test specimen is a suitable part cut from a larger unit, care shall be taken to ensure that
in this particular case the test flame is not applied incorrectly, for example to an edge created
by cutting.
If it is not possible to conduct the test on a sub-assembly or component within the equipment,
the test is conducted on a test specimen removed from the equipment.
7 Severities Flame application times
Preferred values of the duration of application (t ) of the test flame are as follows:
a
5 s, 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s, 120 s.
The tolerance for all values is s.
−1
NOTE The duration of application of the test flame should be chosen in relation to the
characteristics of the end product.
NOTE See Annex C for an example of a classification system for the needle-flame test.
8 Conditioning and test conditions
8.1 Conditioning
If not otherwise specified in the relevant specification, the test specimen, the wooden board
and the tissue paper -covered wooden board shall be conditioned for not less than 24 h in an
atmosphere having a temperature between 15 °C and 35 °C and a relative humidity between
45 % and 75 % before starting the test. Once removed from the conditioning atmosphere, the
test specimens shall be tested within 1 h (see ISO 291).
8.2 Test conditions
Unless otherwise specified, all test specimens shall be tested under standard atmospheric
conditions for testing as follows:
– temperature: 15 °C to 35 °C; and
– relative humidity: ≤ 75 %.
9 Test procedure
9.1 General
Warning
Precautions shall be taken to safeguard the health of the personnel conducting tests against:
– the risks of explosion or fire;
– the inhalation of smoke and/or toxic products; and
– toxic residues.
9.2 Position of test specimen
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification, the test specimen is shall be
arranged in a position of normal use such that ignition is most likely to occur during the test.
The means to fix the test specimen shall not influence the effect of the test flame or the
propagation of flames in a way other than that occurring under normal conditions of use.
9.3 Application of needle-flame
The test flame is shall be applied to that part of the surface of the test specimen which is most
likely to be affected by flames resulting from normal use or from fault conditions. Examples of
flame test positions are shown in Figures 2a and 2b.
The duration of application of the test flame shall be as specified in the relevant specification.
With the central axis of the burner tube vertical, place the burner remote from the test
specimen, set the burner (see 5.1) to produce a standardized 12 mm nominal test flame,
conforming to 5.3. Wait for a minimum of 5 min to allow the burner conditions to reach
equilibrium. Rotate the burner so that the burner tube is positioned at an angle of 45 ± 5°
from the vertical (see Figure 1) throughout the duration of the test.
The test flame is shall be positioned so that the tip of the flame is in contact with the surface
of the test specimen. The test flame is removed after the specified time.
If the test specimen drips molten or flaming material during the application of the flame, the
burner may be tilted up to 45 ° from the vertical to prevent material from dripping into the
burner tube while maintaining an 8 mm ± 1 mm spacing between the center of the top of the
burner and the remaining portion of the test specimen, ignoring any strings of molten material.
If the test specimen is located vertically above the test flame, a spacing of 8 mm ± 1 mm shall
be maintained between the center of the top of the burner and the remaining portion of the
test specimen during the test, ignoring any strings of molten material. If the test specimen is
located horizontally from the test flame, a spacing of 5 mm ± 1 mm shall be maintained
between the center of the top of the burner and the remaining portion of the test specimen
during the test (see Figure 1).
The test flame is removed after the specified flame application time (t ) (see Clause 7).
a
When required by the relevant specification, the test is applied at more than one point on the
same test specimen, in which case care shall be taken to ensure that any deterioration
caused by previous tests will not affect the result of the test to be conducted.
9.4 Number of test specimens
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant specification, the test is performed on three test
specimens.
10 Observations and measurements
In the case of ignition of the test specimen and/or the specified layer and/or the surrounding
parts, the duration of burning (t ) is measured and reported. Ignition of the specified layer
b
shall be observed and noted. The duration of burning denotes the time interval from the
moment the test flame is removed from the test specimen, until the last flames have
extinguished and the glowing combustion of the test specimen, the specified layer and/or the
surrounding parts is no longer visible.

– 14 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
11 Evaluation of test results
Unless otherwise prescribed in the relevant specification, The test specimen is considered to
have satisfactorily withstood the needle-flame test if one of the following situations criteria
applies:
a) There is no ignition of the specified layer or wrapping tissue and, after the removal of the
needle-flame, there is no flame and no glowing of the test specimen.
b) Flames or glowing of the test specimen and the surrounding parts extinguish within 30 s
after the removal of the needle-flame, that is t < 30 s. Also, the surrounding parts have
b
not burnt away completely and there has been no ignition of the specified layer or
wrapping tissue.
12 Information to be given in the relevant specification
The relevant specification shall indicate the following details:
a) any conditioning, if different from that specified in Clause 8;
b) the number of test specimens, if different from that specified in 9.4;
c) the position of the test specimen (see 9.2);
d) the surface to be tested and the point of application (see 9.3);
e) the specified layer to be used to evaluate the effect of burning or glowing particles falling
from the test specimen (see 5.6);
f) level of severity:
f) the duration of application of the test flame (t ) (see Clause 7);
a
g) the permissible duration and extent of burning, considering the design and arrangements
of the various parts, shields and barriers inside the equipment;
h) whether the criteria specified are sufficient to check compliance with the safety
requirements, or whether further criteria should be introduced;
i) any requirements if different from those given in Clauses 10 and 11.
13 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) the type and description of the test specimen (see Clause 6);
b) the method of preparation (see Clause 6);
c) any conditioning of the test specimens (see Clause 8);
d) the number of test specimens (see 9.4);
e) level of severity:
e) the duration of application of the test flame (t ) (see Clauses 7 and 12);
a
f) the surface tested and the point of application of the needle-flame (see 9.3);
g) the specified layer used to evaluate the effect of burning or glowing particles falling from
the test specimen (see 5.6);
h) whether the test flame has been applied at more than one point on the same test
specimen, (see 9.3); and
i) the test results (see Clauses 10 and 11).

Dimensions in millimetres
Outside ø0,9 max.
Bore ø0,5 ± 0,1
Gas supply
IEC
Figure 1 – Needle Burner and flame
Dimensions in millimetres
Test specimen Test specimen
5 ± 1
45° 45°
IEC IEC
Figure 2a − Test position (horizontal example) Figure 2b − Test position (vertical example)
Figure 2 – Test positions
8 ± 1
12 ± 1
– 16 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
Annex A
(normative)
Confirmatory test arrangement
A.1 Confirmation of the test flame – Principle
The time for the temperature of the copper block, described in Figure A.1, to increase from
100 °C ± 5 °C to 700 °C ± 3 °C shall be 23,5 s ± 1,0 s, when the flame confirmatory test
arrangement of Figure A.2 is used.
The flame shall be confirmed in accordance with this Annex A every time the gas supply is
changed or replaced.
NOTE Detailed background information for the confirmation of a test flame can be found in IEC 60695-11-40 [2].
A.2 Test apparatus
A.2.1 Burner
The burner shall be in accordance with 5.1.
A.2.2 Control valve
One control valve is required to set the gas flow rate.
A.2.3 Copper block
The copper block material shall be specified as: Cu-ETP UNS C11000 (see ASTM-B187). The
diameter of the copper block shall be 4 mm ± 0,01 mm with a mass of 0,58 g ± 0,01 g in the
fully machined and polished but undrilled state, see Figure A.1.
A.2.4 Thermocouple
The thermocouple shall be a sheathed fine wire type K (NiCr/NiAl) with an outer sheath
diameter of 0,5 mm.
The preferred method of fastening the thermocouple to the copper block is by compressing
the copper around the thermocouple, after first ensuring that the thermocouple is inserted to
the full depth of the hole as shown in Figure A.2.
A.2.5 Temperature/time indicating/recording and timing devices
These devices shall be appropriate for the measurement of the time for the copper block to
heat up from 100 °C ± 5 °C to 700 °C ± 3 °C with a time uncertainty of 0,1 s. The timing
device shall have a tolerance of not more than 0,5 s.
A.3 Procedure
An example of a suitable gauge for the adjustment of flame height and the distance between
the burner and the copper block is given in Figure A.3. The fixture shall be constructed such
that it does not rest on the flame end of the burner tube nor disturb the root of the burner
flame.
– Set up the confirmatory test arrangement according to Figure A.2 in a draught-free
environment, ensuring leak-free gas connections.

– Temporarily remove the burner away from the copper block to ensure no influence of the
flame on the copper block during the preliminary adjustment of the gas flow rate.
– With the axis of the burner in the vertical position, ignite the gas supply and adjust the gas
flow rate to give a flame ensure that the overall height of the flame is 12 mm ± 1 mm,
when viewed in subdued light against a dark background, and that the flame is
symmetrical.
NOTE 1 In case of dispute, a light level of 20 lux should be used.
– Wait for a period of at least 5 min to allow the burner conditions to reach equilibrium and
then readjust measure the flame height, if necessary to determine that ensure that the
height is within the required limits.
– With the temperature/time indicating/recording devices operational, reposition the burner
under the copper block.
– Conduct three determinations of the time for the temperature of the copper block to
increase from 100 °C ± 5 °C to 700 °C ± 3 °C. Allow the copper block to cool naturally in
air to below 50 °C between determinations.
NOTE 2 At temperatures above 700 °C, the thermocouple can be easily damaged, therefore it is advisable to
remove the burner immediately after reaching 700 °C.
– If the copper block has not been used before, conduct a preliminary run to condition the
copper block surface. Discard the result.
– Calculate the mean time in seconds as the result.
– The flame is confirmed if the result is within the range 23,5 s ± 1,0 s.
– The flame shall be confirmed in accordance with this Annex A every time the gas supply is
changed or replaced.
– 18 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
Dimensions in millimetres
Hole drilled to be a close fit
on 0,5 mm thermocouple
45°
45°
Approximately 1 − machine
to give the correct mass
4,00 ± 0,01
IEC
Copper block polished all over
Tolerance: ± 0,1, ± 30 min (angular), unless otherwise stated
Material: high conductive electrolytic copper Cu-ETP UNS C 11000 (see ASTM-B187)
Weight Mass: 0,58 g ± 0,01 g before drilling
Figure A.1 – Copper block
1,00 ± 0,02
4,00 ± 0,05
6,00 ± 0,03
Dimensions in millimetres
Suspension point
Temperature/time
indicating/recording
devices
Burner tube
After first ensuring that the thermocouple
is inserted to the full depth of the hole, the
copper is compressed around thermocouple
to retain it without damage
IEC
The mode of suspension of the copper block shall be such that the block remains essentially stationary during the
test.
Figure A.2 – Confirmatory test arrangement

6,0 ± 0,5
≥ 40
– 20 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
Dimensions in millimetres
IEC
Figure A.3 – Gauge to measure flame height and the distance
between burner and copper block (example)

Annex B
(informative)
Access to equipment manufacturers and suppliers

An up-to-date list of equipment manufacturers and suppliers is maintained by the Secretary of
IEC technical committee 89. The address details can be found on the IEC website:
http://www.iec.ch
– 22 – IEC 60695-11-5:2016 RLV © IEC 2016
Annex B
(informative)
Example of a product committee specification
The IEC references the IEC 60695-11-5 Needle-flame test method in 4.38, Passive
flammability, of IEC 60384-1:2015, Fixed capacitors for use in electronic equipment – Part 1:
General specification [3]. The test procedure specifies in Table 7 of IEC 60384-1:2015 that
the test flame exposure time and the maximum burning time are dependent upon both the
volume of the part under test and the specified category of the capacitor. For example, a
capacitor with an assigned category of passive flammability of code C and a volume greater
than 1 750 mm wou
...