Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables - Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

IEC 60754-1:2011 specifies the apparatus and procedure for the determination of the amount of halogen acid gas, other than hydrofluoric acid, evolved during the combustion of compounds based on halogenated polymers and compounds containing halogenated additives taken from electric or optical fibre cable constructions. The method specified in this standard is intended for the testing of individual components used in a cable construction. The use of this method will enable the verification of requirements which are stated in the appropriate cable specification for individual components of a cable construction. The significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
- improved definition of safety requirements relating to capture of gases and use of reagents;
- introduction of guidance on preparation of test specimens for a more even combustion;
- improvements to the procedure for establishing the heating regime;
- improved expression of tolerances and precision;
- definition of the procedure for the blank test;
- introduction of an informative annex giving details of a methodology for the determination of the halogen acid gas content of a sample representative of a cable construction.
The contents of the corrigendum of November 2013 have been included in this copy.

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux des câbles - Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

La CEI 60754-1:2011 décrit l'appareillage et la procédure d'essai pour la détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné, autre que l'acide fluorhydrique, émis au cours de la combustion de mélanges à base de polymères halogénés et de mélanges contenant des additifs halogénés prélevés sur un câble électrique ou à fibre optique. La présente méthode décrite dans cette norme est destinée à être utilisée pour l'analyse des composants individuels utilisés dans la construction d'un câble. L'emploi de cette méthode d'essai permettra de vérifier les exigences qui sont établies dans la spécification du câble pour les composants individuels du câble. Les modifications techniques importantes par rapport aux publications antérieures sont les suivantes:
- amélioration définition des exigences de sécurité relatives au piégeage des gaz et à l'utilisation des réactifs;
- introduction de recommandations pour la préparation des éprouvettes d'essai pour une meilleure combustion;
- améliorations du mode opératoire pour établir le régime de chauffage;
- amélioration de l'expression des tolérances et précisions;
- définition de la procédure d'un essai à blanc;
- introduction d'une annexe informative donnant des détails sur la méthodologie pour la détermination de la quantité de gaz acides halogénés contenus dans un échantillon représentatif de la construction du câble.
Le contenu du corrigendum de novembre 2013 a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
16-Nov-2011
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
PPUB - Publication issued
Start Date
17-Nov-2011
Completion Date
31-Oct-2011
Ref Project

Relations

Standard
IEC 60754-1:2011 - Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables - Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content
English and French language
41 pages
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Standards Content (Sample)


IEC 60754-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2011-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ

Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables –
Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux prélevés sur câbles
– Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

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IEC 60754-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2011-11
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ

Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables –
Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux prélevés sur câbles
– Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 13.220.40; 29.020; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-715-3

– 2 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Test method principle . 8
5 Test apparatus . 8
5.1 General . 8
5.2 Tube furnace . 8
5.3 Quartz glass tube . 8
5.4 Combustion boats . 8
5.5 Bubbling devices for gases . 9
5.6 Air supply system . 9
5.7 Analytical balance . 10
5.8 Laboratory glassware . 10
5.9 Reagents . 10
6 Test specimen . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Conditioning of specimen . 10
6.3 Mass of specimen . 11
7 Test procedure . 11
7.1 General . 11
7.2 Test apparatus and arrangement . 11
7.3 Heating procedure . 11
7.3.1 Determination of heating regime . 11
7.3.2 Test specimen heating procedure . 11
7.4 Washing procedure . 12
7.5 Determination of halogen acid content . 12
7.5.1 Blank test . 12
7.5.2 Material test . 12
7.5.3 Halogen acid content calculation . 13
8 Evaluation of the test results . 13
9 Performance requirement . 13
10 Test report. 13
Annex A (informative) Determination of the halogen acid gas content of a sample
representative of a cable construction . 20
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – Device for inserting combustion boat and test specimen . 15
Figure 2 – Example of a gas washing bottle . 16
Figure 3 – Test apparatus: method 1 – Use of synthetic or compressed air from a
bottle . 17
Figure 4 – Test apparatus: method 2 – Use of laboratory compressed air supply . 18

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 3 –
Figure 5 – Test apparatus: method 3 – Use of ambient air sucked by means of a
suction pump . 19

– 4 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TEST ON GASES EVOLVED DURING
COMBUSTION OF MATERIALS FROM CABLES –

Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

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
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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.
International Standard IEC 60754-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 20:
Electric cables.
It has the status of a group safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 1994, and constitutes
a technical revision.
The significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
– improved definition of safety requirements relating to capture of gases and use of
reagents;
– introduction of guidance on preparation of test specimens for a more even combustion;
– improvements to the procedure for establishing the heating regime;
– improved expression of tolerances and precision;

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 5 –
– definition of the procedure for the blank test;
– introduction of an informative annex giving details of a methodology for the determination
of the halogen acid gas content of a sample representative of a cable construction.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
20/1266/FDIS 20/1276/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.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60754 series, published under the general title Test on gases
evolved during combustion of materials from cables, 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 web site 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.
The contents of the corrigendum of November 2013 have been included in this copy.

– 6 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
INTRODUCTION
IEC 60754 consists of the following parts, under the general title Test on gases evolved
during combustion of materials from cables:
– Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content
– Part 2: Determination of acidity (by pH measurement) and conductivity
IEC 60754-1 was developed due to concerns expressed by cable users over the amount of
acid gas which is evolved when some cable insulating, sheathing and other materials are
burned, as this acid can cause extensive damage to electrical and electronic equipment not
involved in the fire itself.
This standard provides a method for determining the amount of acid gases evolved by burning
cable components so that limits can be agreed for cable specifications. As the test is not
carried out on a complete cable test piece, for a hazard assessment the actual material
volumes of the cable components should be taken into consideration.

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 7 –
TEST ON GASES EVOLVED DURING
COMBUSTION OF MATERIALS FROM CABLES –

Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60754 specifies the apparatus and procedure for the determination of the
amount of halogen acid gas, other than hydrofluoric acid, evolved during the combustion of
compounds based on halogenated polymers and compounds containing halogenated
additives taken from electric or optical fibre cable constructions.
NOTE 1 This test method is not able to determine hydrofluoric acid. A suitable method may be found in
IEC 60684-2.
NOTE 2 This test method may be used to test materials to be used in cable manufacture, but a declaration of
cable performance should not be made based on such a test.
NOTE 3 The relevant cable standard should indicate which components of the cable should be tested.
NOTE 4 For the purposes of this standard, the term “electric cable” covers all insulated metallic conductor cables
used for the conveyance of energy or signals.
The method specified in this standard is intended for the testing of individual components
used in a cable construction. The use of this method will enable the verification of
requirements which are stated in the appropriate cable specification for individual components
of a cable construction.
NOTE 5 By agreement between the producer and purchaser, the methodology given in this standard may be used
to test combinations of materials representing a cable construction, but a declaration of cable performance to this
standard should not be made based on such a test. Information on such a method is given in Annex A.
For reasons of precision this method is not recommended for reporting values of halogen acid
evolved less than 5 mg/g of the sample taken.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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.
ISO 385, Laboratory glassware – Burettes
ISO 1042, Laboratory glassware – One-mark volumetric flasks
ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use – Specification and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
halogen acid gas content
amount of halogen acid gas evolved, except hydrofluoric acid, expressed as milligrams of
hydrochloric acid per gram of total test specimen

– 8 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
4 Test method principle
The material under test shall be heated in a stream of dry air and the gases shall be absorbed
in 0,1 M sodium hydroxide solution contained in wash bottles. The amount of halogen acid
shall then be determined by acidifying the solution with nitric acid, adding a measured volume
of 0,1 M silver nitrate solution and back titrating the excess with 0,1 M ammonium
thiocyanate, using ferric ammonium sulphate as the indicator.
NOTE 1 Other analytical methods having at least the same precision may be used, but in case of dispute the
method given in this standard is the one to use.
NOTE 2 Although both hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide are detected by this analytical method, the
halogen acid content is reported as if all the halogen acid is hydrogen chloride.
5 Test apparatus
5.1 General
The apparatus is shown in Figures 1 to 5.
The assembly of the components which constitute the test apparatus shall be leak-tight. The
connecting distances between the quartz glass tube and the first bottle and between
subsequent bottles shall be as short as possible. Glass or silicone rubber tubing shall be used
for these connections.
NOTE 1 At the exit side of the quartz glass tube, as close to the end as possible, it is permitted to place a plug of
silica wool to aid collection of condensates.
NOTE 2 A third empty bottle, of the same size as the gas washing bottles, placed before the gas washing bottles,
may be used to improve safety, i.e. to prevent suck back of water into the quartz glass tube.
5.2 Tube furnace
The length of the heating zone of the furnace shall be within the range 480 mm to 620 mm,
and its inside diameter shall be within the range 38 mm to 62 mm. It shall be equipped with an
adjustable electrical heating system.
5.3 Quartz glass tube
For the test, a quartz glass tube shall be introduced into the tube furnace. The tube shall be
approximately concentric to the furnace. It shall be resistant to the action of corrosive gases.
The inside diameter of the tube shall be within the range 30 mm to 46 mm. The tube shall
protrude on the entrance side of the furnace by a length of between 60 mm to 200 mm, and
on the exit side by between 60 mm to 100 mm. The initial clearance shall allow for thermal
expansion. For the purposes of measurement of the protrusion distances, the tube shall be
regarded as that part of essentially constant diameter.
NOTE The outer diameter of the tube should be chosen with due regard to the inside diameter of the tube
furnace.
Prior to each test, the tube shall be cleaned throughout its length by being calcined at
approximately 950 °C.
5.4 Combustion boats
The combustion boat shall be made of porcelain, fused quartz or soapstone and shall have
the following dimensions:
– external length: within the range 45 mm to 100 mm;

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 9 –
– external width: within the range 12 mm to 30 mm;
– internal depth: within the range 5 mm to 10 mm.
NOTE The dimensions of the boat should be chosen with due regard to the inside diameter of the quartz tube.
The preferred method for insertion of the combustion boat into the quartz glass tube is shown
in Figure 1.
Prior to each test, the combustion boat shall be washed and calcined in a muffle furnace at
approximately 950 °C for 4 h after which it shall be introduced into a desiccator and cooled to
ambient temperature. The combustion boat shall then be weighed to an accuracy of 0,1 mg.
shall be recorded.
This weight m
5.5 Bubbling devices for gases
At the exit of the quartz glass tube, the evolved gases shall be passed through two wash
bottles (see Figure 2), each containing at least 220 ml of 0,1 M sodium hydroxide solution.
A magnetic stirrer shall be introduced in the first gas washing bottle to get a good swirling
motion and an effective absorption of the combustion gases. The tubes into the wash bottles
shall have a maximum internal diameter at their tip of 5 mm, in order to aid absorption.
The height of the liquid above the end of the tube shall be (110 ±10) mm in each bottle.
NOTE Use of a standard laboratory glass bottle of approximately 50 mm internal diameter will enable this
requirement to be met.
5.6 Air supply system
The gas used for combustion shall be air.
The flow rate of air introduced into the quartz glass tube shall be adjusted according to the
actual internal cross-sectional area of the tube, such that the speed of air flowing across the
sample is approximately 20 ml/mm /h.
The speed of air shall be regulated by reference to the flow rate of air. The flow rate of air
shall be (0,0157 × D ) l/h with a tolerance of ±10 %.
NOTE The derivation of the flow rate of air from the speed of air is:
π D
ρ = V ×
where
D is the internal diameter of the tube (mm);
ρ is the flow rate of air (ml/h);
V is the speed of air (ml/mm /h).
The air supply shall be adjusted and controlled by a needle valve, and the flow rate
monitored by a flowmeter of the appropriate range.
The air supplied shall be selected from one of the following methods:
Method 1
This method uses synthetic air or compressed air from a bottle. The air shall be introduced
on the inlet side of the quartz glass tube (see Figure 3).

– 10 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
Method 2
This method uses a laboratory compressed air supply. The air shall be introduced on the
inlet side of the quartz glass tube and shall be be filtered and dried (see Figure 4).
Method 3
This method uses the ambient air of the laboratory. The air shall be filtered and dried. In
this case, the mixture of air and combustion gas shall be sucked by a pump. (See
Figure 5.)
5.7 Analytical balance
The balance shall have a precision of ±0,1 mg.
5.8 Laboratory glassware
For the titration, the following laboratory glassware shall be available:
– 20 ml pipette;
– 100 ml pipette;
– one mark volumetric flask in accordance with ISO 1042 with 1 000 ml capacity;
– conical flask with 250 ml to 500 ml capacity;
– burette in accordance with ISO 385-1.
5.9 Reagents
For the analysis, the following reagents of a recognized analytical quality shall be used.
Demineralized or distilled water shall be of a purity at least Grade 3 in accordance with
ISO 3696.
a) concentrated nitric acid: about 65 %, with a specific gravity ρ of approximately 1,40 g/ml;
b) nitric acid, approximately 6 M;
c) 0,1 M silver nitrate;
d) nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol;
e) an approximately 40% weight/volume solution of ferric ammonium sulphate;
f) 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution.
WARNING Nitrobenzene is regarded as highly toxic. Toluene or iso-amyl alcohol are safer alternatives.
6 Test specimen
6.1 General
Two test specimens, each consisting of (750 ± 250) mg of the material to be tested, shall be
prepared. Each test specimen shall be taken from a sample representative of the material.
Each test specimen shall be cut into a number of smaller pieces.
NOTE Pieces with a maximum dimension of 3 mm have been found to be suitable.
6.2 Conditioning of specimen
The prepared test specimens shall be conditioned for at least 16 h at a temperature of
(23 ±2) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %.

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 11 –
6.3 Mass of specimen
Weigh the combustion boat ( m ) to an accuracy of 0,1 mg (see 5.4). After conditioning, the
test specimen shall be put into the combustion boat and evenly distributed on the bottom of
the boat, which shall be weighed to an accuracy of 0,1 mg, The weight ( m ) shall be
recorded.
The mass m of the test specimen shall be calculated as follows:
m = m − m
2 1
where
m is the mass of the test specimen in grams;
is the mass of the combustion boat in grams;
m
m is the mass of the combustion boat with the test specimen, in grams.
NOTE Modern weighing equipment with suitable automatic zeroing could allow direct measurement of m.
7 Test procedure
7.1 General
The test procedure and determination shall be carried out on each test specimen.
7.2 Test apparatus and arrangement
The test procedure defined in this clause shall be carried out using the apparatus detailed
in Clause 5.
7.3 Heating procedure
7.3.1 Determination of heating regime
The empty combustion boat shall be inserted into the quartz glass tube and placed
approximately in the centre of the tube furnace.
The flow rate of air shall be adjusted by means of a needle valve to the value specified in 5.6
and shall be kept constant during the determination.
Position a thermocouple, or other suitable temperature measuring device (suitably protected
against corrosion), at the test specimen point in the empty combustion boat. The combustion
boat shall be heated at an approximately uniform heating rate over a period of (40 ± 5) min
in order to raise the temperature recorded by the thermocouple to (800 ± 10) °C, after
which it shall be maintained at that temperature for (20 ± 1) min.
Determine from this procedure a heating regime which will ensure that the required test
specimen heating rate and temperature is achieved.
7.3.2 Test specimen heating procedure
The combustion boat containing the test specimen shall be inserted into the quartz glass tube
and placed approximately in the centre of the tube furnace.

– 12 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
The flow rate of air shall be adjusted by means of a needle valve to the value specified in 5.6
and shall be kept constant during the test.
The test specimen shall be heated using the heating regime determined in 7.3.1.
WARNING The operator should take precautions, e.g. the wearing of eye protection and suitable protective
clothing, because certain materials ignite quickly, and can cause "blow back" of hot gases. Care should also be
taken to avoid over-pressurization of the system, and to allow for venting of exhaust gases. Guidance on the
avoidance of “blow back” is given in NOTE 2 of 5.1.
7.4 Washing procedure
Following the heating procedure, all the bottles used shall be disconnected, and the contents
washed into a 1 000 ml volumetric flask. Using distilled or demineralized water, the bottles,
the connecting links and, after cooling, the end of the quartz glass tube including the silica
wool (if used) shall also be washed into the flask, and the contents made up to 1 000 ml.
7.5 Determination of halogen acid content
7.5.1 Blank test
Prior to conducting a test on a test specimen, a blank test shall be carried out using the test
procedure given in 7.3.2 but without a test specimen in the combustion boat.
After cooling to ambient temperature, 200 ml of the solution shall be measured into a conical
flask using a suitable pipette, and the following reagents introduced successively:
a) approximately 4 ml of concentrated nitric acid;
b) 20 ml of 0,1 M silver nitrate, measured with a pipette;
c) approximately 3 ml of either nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol.
The contents shall be well shaken to achieve conglomeration and coating of the silver halide
that is formed by the reaction.
1 ml of a 40 % (weight/volume) aqueous solution of ferric ammonium sulphate containing a
few drops of 6 M nitric acid shall then be added and the whole mixed together. The solution
shall then be titrated with 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution using a burette and the whole
shaken or stirred vigorously. The end-point shall be the red end-point for the titration.
The volume, B, of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution shall be recorded.
NOTE It is recommended that the blank test be carried out prior to each testing campaign and whenever a new
batch of sodium hydroxide solution, silver nitrate solution, ammonium thiocyanate solution or distilled or
demineralized water is started.
7.5.2 Material test
The test procedure given in 7.3.2 shall be carried out with a test specimen in the combustion
boat.
After cooling to ambient temperature, 200 ml of the solution shall be measured into a conical
flask using a suitable pipette and the following reagents introduced successively:
a) approximately 4 ml of concentrated nitric acid;
b) 20 ml of 0,1 M silver nitrate, measured with a pipette;
c) approximately 3 ml of either nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol.
The contents shall be well shaken to achieve conglomeration and coating of the silver halide
that is formed by the reaction.

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 13 –
1 ml of a 40 % (weight/volume) aqueous solution of ferric ammonium sulphate containing a
few drops of 6 M nitric acid shall then be added and the whole mixed together. The solution
shall then be titrated with 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution using a burette and the whole
shaken or stirred vigorously. The end-point shall be the red end-point for the titration.
The volume, A, of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution shall be recorded.
7.5.3 Halogen acid content calculation
The amount of halogen acid, expressed as milligrams of hydrochloric acid per gram of test
specimen taken, shall be determined according to the formula:
1 000
 
36,5 (B − A) M × 
 
C =
m
where
A is the volume in ml of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution used in the test specimen
determination;
B is the volume in ml of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution used in the blank test
determination;
C is the amount of halogen acid expressed in milligrams of hydrochloric acid per gram of
the test specimen;
m is the mass of test specimen taken in grams;
M is the molarity of ammonium thiocyanate solution;
36,5 is the molar mass of hydrogen chloride.
8 Evaluation of the test results
The halogen acid gas content of the material, C , shall be taken as the mean of the
m
determination of the two test specimens.
The individual values shall not vary from the mean by more than ±10 % where the halogen
acid gas content is ≥ 5 mg/g.
Record C = 5 when the amount of halogen acid is less than 5 mg/g.
9 Performance requirement
No requirements for conformity are included in this standard.
10 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) a full description of the material tested;
b) the number of this standard;
c) the halogen acid gas content of the material (C );
m
d) the analytical method used for the determination of the halogen acid gas content (if not as
given in this standard);
e) the supplier’s reference used for reagents 3) and 6) (as per 5.9) shall be reported;

– 14 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
f) the type of test apparatus used (method 1, method 2 or method 3).

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 15 –
2 5
7 9
IEC  2235/11
Key
1 Synthetic air or compressed air, filtered and dried 6 Bar magnets
2 Glass tube 7 Platinum wire
3 Thermocouple 8 Combustion boat
4 Quartz glass tube 9 Standard ground joint, size in correlation to the diameter of the quartz glass tube
5 Test specimen 10 Furnace
Figure 1 – Device for inserting combustion boat and test specimen

– 16 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
IEC  2236/11
Key
1 Magnetic stirring bar h 100 mm to 120 mm

Figure 2 – Example of a gas washing bottle

h
60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 17 –
10 12
IEC  2237/11
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 7 Gas washing bottles
2 Flow meter 8 Synthetic air
3 Quartz glass tube 9 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
4 Furnace 10 Combustion boat containing test specimen
5 Needle valve 11 Magnetic stirrer
6 Thermocouple 12 Magnetic stirring bar
Figure 3 – Test apparatus: method 1 – Use of synthetic or compressed air from a bottle

– 18 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
3 4
7 8
11 12
IEC  2238/11
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 7 Activated charcoal 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
2 Flow meter 8 Silica gel 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
3 Quartz glass tube 9 Thermocouple 15 Magnetic stirring bar
4 Furnace 10 Gas washing bottles 16 Magnetic stirrer
5 Compressed air 11 Air filtering
6 Needle valve 12 Air drying
Figure 4 – Test apparatus: method 2 – Use of laboratory compressed air supply

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 19 –
6 7
11 12
IEC  2239/11
Key
1 Flow meter 7 Silica gel 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
2 Furnace 8 Thermocouple 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
3 Ambient air 9 Gas washing bottles 15 Magnetic stirring bar
4 Quartz glass tube 10 Suction pump 16 Magnetic stirrer
5 Needle valve 11 Air filtering
6 Activated charcoal 12 Air drying

Figure 5 – Test apparatus: method 3 – Use of ambient air sucked by means of a suction pump

– 20 – 60754-1 © IEC:2011
Annex A
(informative)
Determination of the halogen acid gas content
of a sample representative of a cable construction

If agreed between the cable producer and the customer, a representative sample of all the
non-metallic components of the cable construction may be used as the test specimen.
The representative sample should be prepared by the following method:
A sample of approximate length 15 mm to 25 mm of the complete cable should be cut into
small pieces after all metal elements have been removed. The sample should be of sufficient
length to give the required weight of test specimen according to 6.1. A sharp knife or a razor
blade should be used to cut the cable components into smaller pieces complying with the
requirements of 6.1.
The pieces should be well mixed and the required number of test specimens in accordance
with 6.1 should be taken from the mixture.

60754-1 © IEC:2011 – 21 –
Bibliography
IEC 60684-2, Flexible insulating sleeving – Part 2: Methods of test
IEC Guide 104, The preparation of safety publications and the use of basic safety publications
and group safety publications
_____________
– 22 – 60754-1 © CEI:2011
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS . 24
INTRODUCTION . 26
1 Domaine d'application . 27
2 Références normatives . 27
3 Termes et définitions . 27
4 Principe de la méthode d’essai . 28
5 Appareillage d’essai . 28
5.1 Généralités. 28
5.2 Four tubulaire . 28
5.3 Tube en quartz . 28
5.4 Nacelles de combustion . 29
5.5 Dispositif de barbotage des gaz . 29
5.6 Dispositif d'entraînement . 29
5.7 Balance analytique . 30
5.8 Verrerie de laboratoire . 30
5.9 Réactifs . 30
6 Éprouvette d'essai . 31
6.1 Généralité . 31
6.2 Conditionnement des éprouvettes d'essai . 31
6.3 Masse de l’éprouvette . 31
7 Mode opératoire . 31
7.1 Généralité . 31
7.2 Appareillage d’essai et matériel . 31
7.3 Procédure de chauffage . 31
7.3.1 Détermination du régime de chauffage . 31
7.3.2 Procédure de chauffage de l’éprouvette d’essai . 32
7.4 Procédure de lavage . 32
7.5 Détermination de la quantité d'acide halogéné . 32
7.5.1 Dosage à blanc . 32
7.5.2 Essai du matériau . 33
7.5.3 Calcul de la concentration en acide halogéné . 33
8 Évaluation des résultats . 33
9 Exigence (d’exécution) . 34
10 Rapport d’essai . 34
Annexe A (informative) Détermination de la quantité d’acide halogéné contenu dans
un échantillon représentatif de la construction d’un câble . 40
Bibliographie . 41

Figure 1 – Système pour introduire la nacelle de combustion et l’éprouvette d’essai . 35
Figure 2 – Exemple de flacon barboteur . 36
Figure 3 – Appareillage d’essai: méthode 1 – Utilisation de l’air synthétique ou
comprimé provenant d’une bouteille . 37
Figure 4 – Appareillage d’essai: méthode 2 – Utilisation de l’air comprimé provenant du
laboratoire . 38

60754-1 © CEI:2011 – 23 –
Figure 5 – Appareillage d’essai: méthode 3 – Utilisation de l’air aspiré au moyen d’une
pompe . 39

– 24 – 60754-1 © CEI:2011
COMMISSION ÉLECTROTECHNIQUE INTERNATIONALE
_____________
ESSAI SUR LES GAZ ÉMIS LORS DE LA COMBUSTION
DES MATÉRIAUX PRÉLEVÉS SUR CÂBLES –

Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

AVANT-PROPOS
1) La Commission Electrotechnique International
...


IEC 60754-1 ®
Edition 3.1 2019-11
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ

Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables –
Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux prélevés sur câbles –
Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

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IEC 60754-1 ®
Edition 3.1 2019-11
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ

Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables –

Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux prélevés sur câbles –

Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 13.220.40; 29.020; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7658-7

IEC 60754-1 ®
Edition 3.1 2019-11
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
colour
inside
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ

Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables –
Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

Essai sur les gaz émis lors de la combustion des matériaux prélevés sur câbles –
Partie 1: Détermination de la quantité de gaz acide halogéné

– 2 – IEC 60754-1:2011+AMD1:2019 CSV
© IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test method principle . 7
5 Test apparatus . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 Tube furnace . 7
5.3 Quartz glass tube . 7
5.4 Combustion boats . 7
5.5 Bubbling devices for gases . 8
5.6 Air supply system . 8
5.7 Analytical balance . 9
5.8 Laboratory glassware . 9
5.9 Reagents . 9
6 Test specimen . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Conditioning of specimen . 10
6.3 Mass of specimen . 10
7 Test procedure . 10
7.1 General . 10
7.2 Test apparatus and arrangement . 10
7.3 Heating procedure . 11
7.3.1 Determination of heating regime . 11
7.3.2 Test specimen heating procedure . 11
7.4 Washing procedure . 11
7.5 Determination of halogen acid content . 11
7.5.1 Blank test . 11
7.5.2 Material test . 12
7.5.3 Halogen acid content calculation . 12
8 Evaluation of the test results . 13
9 Performance requirement . 13
10 Test report. 13
Annex A (informative) Determination of the halogen acid gas content of a sample
representative of a cable construction . 22
Bibliography . 23

Figure 1 – Device for inserting combustion boat and test specimen . 14
Figure 2 – Example of a gas washing bottle . 15
Figure 3 – Test apparatus: method 1 – Use of synthetic or compressed air
from a bottle . 17
Figure 4 – Test apparatus: method 2 – Use of laboratory compressed air supply . 19
Figure 5 – Test apparatus: method 3 – Use of ambient air sucked by means of a
suction pump . 21

© IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TEST ON GASES EVOLVED DURING
COMBUSTION OF MATERIALS FROM CABLES –
Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content
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,
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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-
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with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
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2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
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interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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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 consolidated version of the official IEC Standard and its amendment has been
prepared for user convenience.
IEC 60754-1 edition 3.1 contains the third edition (2011-11) [documents 20/1266/
FDIS and 20/1276/RVD] and its corrigendum (2013-11), and its amendment 1
(2019-11) [documents 20/1882/FDIS and 20/1891/RVD].
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content
is modified by amendment 1. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough
red text. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is available in this
publication.
– 4 – IEC 60754-1:2011+AMD1:2019 CSV
© IEC 2019
International Standard IEC 60754-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 20:
Electric cables.
It has the status of a group safety publication in accordance with IEC Guide 104.
This third edition constitutes a technical revision.
The significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
– improved definition of safety requirements relating to capture of gases and use of
reagents;
– introduction of guidance on preparation of test specimens for a more even combustion;
– improvements to the procedure for establishing the heating regime;
– improved expression of tolerances and precision;
– definition of the procedure for the blank test;
– introduction of an informative annex giving details of a methodology for the determination
of the halogen acid gas content of a sample representative of a cable construction.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60754 series, published under the general title Test on gases
evolved during combustion of materials from cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendment will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site 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 document using a
colour printer.
© IEC 2019
INTRODUCTION
IEC 60754 consists of the following parts, under the general title Test on gases evolved
during combustion of materials from cables:
– Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content
– Part 2: Determination of acidity (by pH measurement) and conductivity
– Part 3: Measurement of low level of halogen content by ion chromatography
IEC 60754-1 was developed due to concerns expressed by cable users over the amount of
acid gas which is evolved when some cable insulating, sheathing and other materials are
burned, as this acid can cause extensive damage to electrical and electronic equipment not
involved in the fire itself.
This standard provides a method for determining the amount of acid gases evolved by burning
cable components so that limits can be agreed for cable specifications. As the test is not
carried out on a complete cable test piece, for a hazard assessment the actual material
volumes of the cable components should be taken into consideration.

– 6 – IEC 60754-1:2011+AMD1:2019 CSV
© IEC 2019
TEST ON GASES EVOLVED DURING
COMBUSTION OF MATERIALS FROM CABLES –

Part 1: Determination of the halogen acid gas content

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60754 specifies the apparatus and procedure for the determination of the
amount of halogen acid gas, other than hydrofluoric acid, evolved during the combustion of
compounds based on halogenated polymers and compounds containing halogenated
additives taken from electric or optical fibre cable constructions.
NOTE 1 This test method is not able to determine hydrofluoric acid. A suitable method may be found in
IEC 60684-2.
NOTE 2 This test method may be used to test materials to be used in cable manufacture, but a declaration of
cable performance should not be made based on such a test.
NOTE 3 The relevant cable standard should indicate which components of the cable should be tested.
NOTE 4 For the purposes of this standard, the term “electric cable” covers all insulated metallic conductor cables
used for the conveyance of energy or signals.
The method specified in this standard is intended for the testing of individual components
used in a cable construction. The use of this method will enable the verification of
requirements which are stated in the appropriate cable specification for individual components
of a cable construction.
NOTE 5 By agreement between the producer and purchaser, the methodology given in this standard may be used
to test combinations of materials representing a cable construction, but a declaration of cable performance to this
standard should not be made based on such a test. Information on such a method is given in Annex A.
For reasons of precision this method is not recommended for reporting values of halogen acid
evolved less than 5 mg/g of the sample taken.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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.
ISO 385, Laboratory glassware – Burettes
ISO 1042, Laboratory glassware – One-mark volumetric flasks
ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use – Specification and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
halogen acid gas content
amount of halogen acid gas evolved, except hydrofluoric acid, expressed as milligrams of
hydrochloric acid per gram of total test specimen

© IEC 2019
4 Test method principle
The material under test shall be heated in a stream of dry air and the gases shall be absorbed
in 0,1 M sodium hydroxide solution contained in wash bottles. The amount of halogen acid
shall then be determined by acidifying the solution with nitric acid, adding a measured volume
of 0,1 M silver nitrate solution and back titrating the excess with 0,1 M ammonium
thiocyanate, using ferric ammonium sulphate as the indicator.
NOTE 1 Other analytical methods having at least the same precision may be used, but in case of dispute the
method given in this standard is the one to use.
NOTE 2 Although both hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide are detected by this analytical method, the
halogen acid content is reported as if all the halogen acid is hydrogen chloride.
5 Test apparatus
5.1 General
The apparatus is shown in Figures 1 to 5.
The assembly of the components which constitute the test apparatus shall be leak-tight. The
connecting distances between the quartz glass tube and the first bottle and between
subsequent bottles shall be as short as possible. Glass or silicone rubber tubing shall be used
for these connections.
NOTE 1 At the exit side of the quartz glass tube, as close to the end as possible, it is permitted to place a plug of
silica wool to aid collection of condensates.
NOTE 2 A third empty bottle, of the same size as the gas washing bottles, placed before the gas washing bottles,
may be used to improve safety, i.e. to prevent suck back of water into the quartz glass tube.
5.2 Tube furnace
The length of the heating zone of the furnace shall be within the range 480 mm to 620 mm,
and its inside diameter shall be within the range 38 mm to 62 mm. It shall be equipped with an
adjustable electrical heating system.
5.3 Quartz glass tube
For the test, a quartz glass tube shall be introduced into the tube furnace. The tube shall be
approximately concentric to the furnace. It shall be resistant to the action of corrosive gases.
The inside diameter of the tube shall be within the range 30 mm to 46 mm. The tube shall
protrude on the entrance side of the furnace by a length of between 60 mm to 200 mm, and
on the exit side by between 60 mm to 100 mm. The initial clearance shall allow for thermal
expansion. For the purposes of measurement of the protrusion distances, the tube shall be
regarded as that part of essentially constant diameter.
NOTE The outer diameter of the tube should be chosen with due regard to the inside diameter of the tube
furnace.
Prior to each test, the tube shall be cleaned throughout its length by being calcined at
approximately 950 °C.
5.4 Combustion boats
The combustion boat shall be made of porcelain, fused quartz or soapstone and shall have
the following dimensions:
– external length: within the range 45 mm to 100 mm;

– 8 – IEC 60754-1:2011+AMD1:2019 CSV
© IEC 2019
– external width: within the range 12 mm to 30 mm;
– internal depth: within the range 5 mm to 10 mm.
NOTE The dimensions of the boat should be chosen with due regard to the inside diameter of the quartz tube.
The preferred method for insertion of the combustion boat into the quartz glass tube is shown
in Figure 1.
Prior to each test, the combustion boat shall be washed and calcined in a muffle furnace at
approximately 950 °C for 4 h after which it shall be introduced into a desiccator and cooled to
ambient temperature. The combustion boat shall then be weighed to an accuracy of 0,1 mg
with an analytical balance in mg, rounded to one decimal figure, with an accuracy as
described in 5.7. This weight m shall be recorded.
5.5 Bubbling devices for gases
At the exit of the quartz glass tube, the evolved gases shall be passed through two wash
bottles (see Figure 2), each containing at least 220 ml of 0,1 M sodium hydroxide solution.
A magnetic stirrer shall be introduced in the first gas washing bottle to get a good swirling
motion and an effective absorption of the combustion gases. The tubes into the wash bottles
shall have a maximum internal diameter at their tip of 5 mm, in order to aid absorption.
The height of the liquid above the end of the tube shall be (110 ±10) mm in each bottle.
NOTE Use of a standard laboratory glass bottle of approximately 50 mm internal diameter will enable this
requirement to be met.
5.6 Air supply system
The gas used for combustion shall be air.
The flow rate of air introduced into the quartz glass tube shall be adjusted according to the
actual internal cross-sectional area of the tube, such that the speed of air flowing across the
sample is approximately 20 ml/mm /h.
The speed of air shall be regulated by reference to the flow rate of air. The flow rate of air
shall be (0,0157 × D ) l/h with a tolerance of ±10 %.
NOTE The derivation of the flow rate of air from the speed of air is:
π D
ρ =V ×
where
D is the internal diameter of the tube (mm);
ρ is the flow rate of air (ml/h);
V is the speed of air (ml/mm /h).
2 -3
The flow rate of air, ρ, shall be 20 m/h × (π/4) x D x 10 with a tolerance of ±10 %, where D
is the internal diameter of the quartz tube.
EXAMPLE
2 -3
If D = 30 mm, 20 m/h × (π/4) × D x 10 = 14,1 l/h, and the flow rate can be in the range 12,7 l/h to 15,5 l/h.
2 -3
If D = 46 mm, 20 m/h × (π/4) × D x 10 = 33,2 l/h, and the flow rate can be in the range 29,9 l/h to 36,5 l/h.
NOTE The flow rate of air, ρ, is related to the velocity, v, according to the formula

© IEC 2019
π D²
−3
ρ=v ××10
where
D is the internal diameter of the tube (mm);
ρ is the flow rate of air (l/h);
v  is the speed of air (m/h).
2 -3
If v = 20 m/h, this becomes, ρ = 15,7 m/h × D x 10 .
The air supply shall be adjusted and controlled by a needle valve, and the flow rate
monitored by a flowmeter of the appropriate range.
The air supplied shall be selected from one of the following methods:
Method 1
This method uses synthetic air or compressed air from a bottle. The air shall be introduced
on the inlet side of the quartz glass tube (see Figure 3).
Method 2
This method uses a laboratory compressed air supply.
The air shall be filtered and dried and shall be introduced on the inlet side of the quartz
glass tube shall be be filtered and dried (see Figure 4).
Method 3
This method uses the ambient air of the laboratory. The air shall be filtered and dried. In
this case, the mixture of air and combustion gas shall be sucked by a pump. (See
Figure 5.)
5.7 Analytical balance
The balance shall have a precision resolution and an accuracy of ±0,1 mg or better.
5.8 Laboratory glassware
For the titration, the following laboratory glassware shall be available:
– 20 ml pipette;
– 100 ml pipette;
– one mark volumetric flask in accordance with ISO 1042 Class B with 1 000 ml capacity;
– conical flask with 250 ml to 500 ml capacity;
– burette in accordance with ISO 385-1.
5.9 Reagents
For the analysis, the following reagents of a recognized analytical quality shall be used.
Demineralized or distilled water shall be of a purity at least Grade 3 in accordance with
ISO 3696.
a) concentrated nitric acid: about 65 %, with a specific gravity ρ of approximately 1,40 g/ml;
b) nitric acid, approximately 6 M;
c) 0,1 M silver nitrate;
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© IEC 2019
d) nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol;
e) an approximately 40% weight/volume solution of ferric ammonium sulphate;
f) 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution.
WARNING Nitrobenzene is regarded as highly toxic. Toluene or iso-amyl alcohol are safer alternatives.
6 Test specimen
6.1 General
Two test specimens, each consisting of (750 ± 250) mg of the material to be tested, shall be
prepared. Each test specimen shall be taken from a sample representative of the material.
Each test specimen shall be cut into a number of smaller pieces.
NOTE Pieces with a maximum dimension of 3 mm have been found to be suitable.
6.2 Conditioning of specimen
The prepared test specimens shall be conditioned for at least 16 h at a temperature of
(23 ±2) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %.
6.3 Mass of specimen
Weigh the combustion boat (m ) to an accuracy of 0,1 mg (see as defined in 5.4). After
conditioning, the test specimen shall be put into the combustion boat and evenly distributed
on the bottom of the boat, which shall be weighed to an accuracy of 0,1 mg, as defined in
5.4. The weight ( ) shall be recorded.
m
The mass m of the test specimen shall be calculated as follows:

m =m −m
2 1
where
m is the mass of the test specimen in grams;
m is the mass of the combustion boat in grams;
m is the mass of the combustion boat with the test specimen, in grams.
NOTE Modern weighing equipment with suitable automatic zeroing could allow direct measurement of m.
7 Test procedure
7.1 General
The test procedure and determination shall be carried out on each test specimen.
7.2 Test apparatus and arrangement
The test procedure defined in this clause shall be carried out using the apparatus detailed
in Clause 5.
© IEC 2019
7.3 Heating procedure
7.3.1 Determination of heating regime
The empty combustion boat shall be inserted into the quartz glass tube and placed
approximately in the centre of the tube furnace.
The flow rate of air shall be adjusted by means of a needle valve to the value specified in 5.6
and shall be kept constant during the determination.
Position a thermocouple, or other suitable temperature measuring device (suitably protected
against corrosion), at the test specimen point in the empty combustion boat. The combustion
boat shall be heated at an approximately uniform heating rate over a period of (40 ± 5) min
in order to raise the temperature recorded by the thermocouple to (800 ± 10) °C, after
which it shall be maintained at that temperature for (20 ± 1) min.
Determine from this procedure a heating regime which will ensure that the required test
specimen heating rate and temperature is achieved.
7.3.2 Test specimen heating procedure
The combustion boat containing the test specimen shall be inserted into the quartz glass tube
and placed approximately in the centre of the tube furnace.
The flow rate of air shall be adjusted by means of a needle valve to the value specified in 5.6
and shall be kept constant during the test.
The test specimen shall be heated using the heating regime determined in 7.3.1.
WARNING The operator should take precautions, e.g. the wearing of eye protection and suitable protective
clothing, because certain materials ignite quickly, and can cause "blow back" of hot gases. Care should also be
taken to avoid over-pressurization of the system, and to allow for venting of exhaust gases. Guidance on the
avoidance of “blow back” is given in NOTE 2 of 5.1.
7.4 Washing procedure
Following the heating procedure, all the bottles used shall be disconnected, and the contents
washed into a 1 000 ml volumetric flask. Using distilled or demineralized water, the bottles,
the connecting links and, after cooling, the end of the quartz glass tube including the silica
wool (if used) shall also be washed into the flask, and the contents made up to the 1 000 ml
mark.
7.5 Determination of halogen acid content
7.5.1 Blank test
Prior to conducting a test on a test specimen, a blank test shall be carried out using the test
procedure given in 7.3.2 but without a test specimen in the combustion boat.
After cooling to ambient temperature, 200 ml of the solution shall be measured into a conical
flask using a suitable pipette, and the following reagents introduced successively:
a) approximately 4 ml of concentrated nitric acid;
b) 20 ml of 0,1 M silver nitrate, measured with a pipette;
c) approximately 3 ml of either nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol.
The contents shall be well shaken to achieve conglomeration and coating of the silver halide
that is formed by the reaction.

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1 ml of a 40 % (weight/volume) aqueous solution of ferric ammonium sulphate containing a
few drops of 6 M nitric acid shall then be added and the whole mixed together. The solution
shall then be titrated with 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution using a burette and the whole
shaken or stirred vigorously. The end-point shall be the red end-point for the titration.
The volume, B, of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution shall be recorded.
NOTE It is recommended that the blank test be carried out prior to each testing campaign and whenever a new
batch of sodium hydroxide solution, silver nitrate solution, ammonium thiocyanate solution or distilled or
demineralized water is started.
7.5.2 Material test
The test procedure given in 7.3.2 shall be carried out with a test specimen in the combustion
boat.
After cooling to ambient temperature, 200 ml of the solution shall be measured into a conical
flask using a suitable pipette and the following reagents introduced successively:
a) approximately 4 ml of concentrated nitric acid;
b) 20 ml of 0,1 M silver nitrate, measured with a pipette;
c) approximately 3 ml of either nitrobenzene, toluene or iso-amyl alcohol.
The contents shall be well shaken to achieve conglomeration and coating of the silver halide
that is formed by the reaction.
1 ml of a 40 % (weight/volume) aqueous solution of ferric ammonium sulphate containing a
few drops of 6 M nitric acid shall then be added and the whole mixed together. The solution
shall then be titrated with 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution using a burette and the whole
shaken or stirred vigorously. The end-point shall be the red end-point for the titration.
The volume, A, of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution shall be recorded.
7.5.3 Halogen acid content calculation
The amount of halogen acid, expressed as milligrams of hydrochloric acid per gram of test
specimen taken, shall be determined according to the formula:
 1 000 
36,5 (B −A)M ×
 
 
C =
m
where
A is the volume in ml of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution used in the test specimen
determination;
B is the volume in ml of 0,1 M ammonium thiocyanate solution used in the blank test
determination;
C is the amount of halogen acid expressed in milligrams of hydrochloric acid per gram of
the test specimen;
m is the mass of test specimen taken in grams;
M is the molarity of ammonium thiocyanate solution;
36,5 is the molar mass of hydrogen chloride.

© IEC 2019
8 Evaluation of the test results
The halogen acid gas content of the material, C , shall be taken as the mean of the
m
determination of the two test specimens.
The individual values shall not vary from the mean by more than ±10 % where the halogen
acid gas content is ≥ 5 mg/g.
Record C = 5 when the amount of halogen acid is less than 5 mg/g.
9 Performance requirement
No requirements for conformity are included in this standard.
10 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) a full description of the material tested;
b) the number of this standard;
c) the halogen acid gas content of the material (Cm);
d) the analytical method used for the determination of the halogen acid gas content (if not as
given in this standard);
e) the supplier’s reference used for reagents 3) and 6) (as per 5.9) shall be reported;
f) the type of test apparatus used (method 1, method 2 or method 3).

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2 5
7 9
IEC  2235/11
Key
1 Synthetic air or compressed air, filtered and dried 6 Bar magnets
2 Glass tube 7 Platinum wire
3 Thermocouple 8 Combustion boat
4 Quartz glass tube 9 Standard ground joint, size in correlation to the diameter of the quartz glass tube
5 Test specimen 10 Furnace
Figure 1 – Device for inserting combustion boat and test specimen

© IEC 2019
IEC  2236/11
Key
1 Magnetic stirring bar h  100 mm to 120 mm

Figure 2 – Example of a gas washing bottle

h
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© IEC 2019
10 12
IEC  2237/11
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 7 Gas washing bottles
2 Flow meter 8 Synthetic air
3 Quartz glass tube 9 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
4 Furnace 10 Combustion boat containing test specimen
5 Needle valve 11 Magnetic stirrer
6 Thermocouple 12 Magnetic stirring bar

© IEC 2019
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 8 Synthetic air
2 Flow meter 9 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
3 Quartz glass tube 10 Combustion boat containing test specimen
4 Furnace 11 Magnetic stirrer
5 Needle valve 12 Magnetic stirring bar
6 Thermocouple 13 Optional empty bottle to prevent suck-back of water into the
quartz glass tube
7 Gas washing bottles
Figure 3 – Test apparatus: method 1 – Use of synthetic or compressed air from a bottle

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3 4
7 8
11 12
IEC  2238/11
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 7 Activated charcoal 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
2 Flow meter 8 Silica gel 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
3 Quartz glass tube 9 Thermocouple 15 Magnetic stirring bar
4 Furnace 10 Gas washing bottles 16 Magnetic stirrer
5 Compressed air 11 Air filtering
6 Needle valve 12 Air drying
© IEC 2019
Key
1 Pressure reducing valve 10 Gas washing bottles
2 Flow meter 11 Air filtering
3 Quartz glass tube 12 Air drying
4 Furnace 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
5 Compressed air 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
6 Needle valve 15 Magnetic stirring bar
7 Activated charcoal 16 Magnetic stirrer
8 Silica gel 17 Optional empty bottle to prevent suck-back of water into the
quartz glass tube
9 Thermocouple
Figure 4 – Test apparatus: method 2 – Use of laboratory compressed air supply

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6 7
11 12
IEC  2239/11
Key
1 Flow meter 7 Silica gel 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
2 Furnace 8 Thermocouple 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
3 Ambient air 9 Gas washing bottles 15 Magnetic stirring bar
4 Quartz glass tube 10 Suction pump 16 Magnetic stirrer
5 Needle valve 11 Air filtering
6 Activated charcoal 12 Air drying

© IEC 2019
Key
1 Flow meter 10 Suction pump
2 Furnace 11 Air filtering
3 Ambient air 12 Air drying
4 Quartz glass tube 13 Device for inserting combustion boat containing test specimen
5 Needle valve 14 Combustion boat containing test specimen
6 Activated charcoal 15 Magnetic stirring bar
7 Silica gel 16 Magnetic stirrer
8 Thermocouple 17 Optional empty bottle to prevent suck-back of water into the quartz
glass tube
9 Gas washing bottles
Figure 5 – Test apparatus: method 3 – Use of ambient air sucked by means of a suction pump

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© IEC 2019
Annex A
(informative)
Determination of the halogen acid gas content
of a sample representative of a cable construction

If agreed between the cable producer and the customer, a representative sample of all the
non-metallic components of the cable construction may be used as the test specimen.
The representative sample should be prepared by the following method:
A sample of approximate length 15 mm to 25 mm of the complete cable should be cut into
small pieces after all metal elements have been removed. The sample should be of sufficient
length to give the required weight of test specimen according to 6.1. A sharp knife or a razor
blade should be used to cut the cable components into smaller pieces complying with the
requirements of 6.1.
The pieces should be well mixed and the required number of test specimens in accordance
with 6.1 should be taken from the mixture.

© IEC 2019
Bibliography
IEC 60684-2, Flexible insulating sleeving – Part 2: Methods of test
IEC Guide 104, The preparation of safety publications and the use of basic safety publications
and group safety publications
_____________
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© IEC 2019
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS . 26
INTRODUCTION . 28
1 Domaine d'application . 29
2 Références normatives . 29
3 Termes et définitions . 29
4 Principe de la méthode d’essai . 30
5 Appareillage d’essai . 30
5.1 Généralités. 30
5.2 Four tubulaire .
...

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