A Complete Guide to LISUN’s Glow Wire Testers and Needle Flame Solutions

It replicates the effects of an overheated or glowing electrical component. This is done to assess the fire resistance of insulating materials and components. The test involves pressing a heated metal wire against the test material’s surface for a predetermined amount of time after it has been heated to a certain temperature, usually between 550°C and 960°C.

The test determines whether the material:

Ignites due to the heat
Still burns even after the heat source is removed
Produces flaming or glowing particles that can spread fire

IEC 60695-2-10 to 2-13 governs the Glow Wire Test. It is frequently used to verify the fire resistance of polymers. These polymers are commonly used in lighting, electrical equipment and home appliances.

The Significance of Glow Wire Testing

Electronic equipment are frequently used in places with limited airflow and near combustible materials, such as packaging, furniture, or curtains. The insulation or casing may catch fire if an internal component overheats, endangering both people and property.

Glow wire testing addresses this risk by:

Ensuring plastic enclosures and internal barriers can withstand temporary contact with high temperatures
Reducing the spread of fire in case of component failure
Meeting mandatory fire resistance requirements for global product certifications such as CE, UL, and ENEC

Products that fail glow wire testing cannot legally be sold in many markets, making it a cornerstone of regulatory compliance for manufacturers.

LISUN’s Glow Wire Tester: Precision, Compliance, and Ease of Use

LISUN’s GW-1 Glow-Wire Tester is a robust, user-friendly system designed for reliable flame resistance testing according to international standards. It simulates the thermal stress caused by a glowing electrical part that may be in contact with plastic components.

Key Features of LISUN GW-1:

Standard glow-wire diameter (4.0 mm nickel-chromium wire)
Automatic timing system for contact duration (30 seconds standard)
Transparent flame-resistant observation window
Removable sample holder for easy setup and cleaning
Integrated scale for measuring flame height and tracking ignition
Optional smoke exhaust and ventilation system for safer lab conditions

LISUN’s glow-wire tester provides laboratories and manufacturers with a powerful yet affordable solution to carry out standardized material ignition tests.

How Glow Wire Testing is Performed

The test procedure is relatively simple. However it requires a lot of precision:

A nickel-chromium wire is electrically heated to a specified temperature using LISUN’s PID controller.
The test specimen (usually a plastic housing or insulator) is mounted securely.
The heated wire is pressed against the specimen with a specified force (1N ±0.2N) for 30 seconds.
Observations are made to record whether the sample ignites and whether it continues burning or produces flaming particles after the glow wire is removed.

Materials are rated based on:

Ignition time
Afterflame duration
Production of flaming droplets
Burn area

What is the Needle Flame Test and How Does It Differ?

While the Glow Wire Test simulates indirect heating, the Needle Flame Test (NFT) simulates the effect of small flames that might result from electrical faults. It applies a 1 mm diameter gas flame directly to the specimen for 5 to 60 seconds depending on test requirements.

This test is also based on IEC 60695-11-5, and is used when:

A specimen fails glow wire testing due to ignition
The device contains smaller components that may not be suitable for glow-wire exposure
Higher precision and flame-based assessment is needed

LISUN’s NF-1 Needle Flame Tester is a companion product to the glow-wire tester, offering precise flame control, timing, and automatic extinguishing features.

Applications of Glow Wire and Needle Flame Tests

These tests are critical across multiple industries:

Consumer Electronics

Smartphone chargers, power strips, plastic cases, and adapters must all meet flammability standards before entering the market.

Lighting Fixtures

LED housings, holders, and electrical connections are tested for flame propagation and melt resistance.

Home Appliances

Vacuum cleaners, ovens, refrigerators, and other appliances use plastic and insulation materials near electrical heating elements.

Industrial Equipment

Control panels, circuit housings, and power devices often operate in high-temperature environments, requiring flame-retardant material certification.

LISUN vs Other Fire Hazard Testing Brands

When compared with established brands such as Testronix, Haida, or ESPEC, LISUN provides a significant advantage in terms of value, accessibility, and technical support.

Feature	LISUN GW-1 / NF-1	Other Brands
Standards Supported	IEC, UL, EN	Similar
Temperature Range	Up to 1000°C	850–1000°C
Touch Interface	Digital PID with timer	PID or touchscreen
Specimen Size Flexibility	High	Medium
Observation Window	Flame-resistant glass	Same
Price	Affordable	Premium-priced
Calibration Certificate	Included	Often additional
Global Support	50+ countries	Mostly regional

Conclusion: LISUN delivers all necessary functionality for IEC 60695 fire hazard testing at a cost that is accessible to both emerging labs and multinational certification bodies.

Software and Safety Integration

Though glow wire and flame tests are largely visual, LISUN offers optional digital video monitoring, smoke extraction units, and flame height rulers that simplify documentation and improve user safety.

LISUN also ensures that its systems include:

Over-temperature alarms
Emergency stop functions
Anti-flash shields
Non-combustible chamber interiors

These safety systems are very important for testing environments that have high temperatures.

Installation, Calibration, and International Support

LISUN provides complete installation kits with:

Standardized glow wires
Sample holders and calibration weights
Instructional videos
Traceable calibration certificates

With regional support centers and distributors in more than 50 countries, LISUN ensures fast delivery, training, maintenance, and spare part availability.

Annual recalibration is recommended, and LISUN provides full traceability for compliance with audit and certification processes.

Integrating Glow Wire Testing into Product Development

For R&D labs, integrating glow wire or needle flame testing during early design phases can:

Accelerate time-to-market by identifying weak points early
Minimize design rework during final certification stages
Reduce material waste by validating polymer selection
Improve product reputation and end-user safety

In high-volume manufacturing, LISUN’s testers are ideal for spot checks or ongoing QA/QC protocols to ensure material compliance across production batches.

Conclusion

Glow wire testing and needle flame testing are essential fire safety assessments that every electrical product must pass to ensure user safety and international compliance. As devices become smaller, more powerful, and more widespread, the risks posed by thermal ignition and material flammability only increase.

A comprehensive, legal, and reasonably priced selection of glow wire and flame tests is available at LISUN. Manufacturers, labs, and certification bodies all across the world utilize their technologies to rapidly and precisely assess fire dangers.

LISUN offers businesses that prioritize product integrity, safety, and compliance not just the necessary equipment but also piece of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: At what temperature is the glow wire test conducted?

The standard and material class determine the typical test temperature, which might vary from 550°C to 960°C.

Q2: For how long does the sample touch the glow wire?

The contact period is 30 seconds.

Q3: How do glow wire and needle flame tests differ from one another?

While needle flame employs a real gas flame, glow wire mimics hot parts. When precise flame exposure is required or glow wire produces ignite, the latter is frequently utilized.

Q4: Can LISUN’s testers be used for all IEC 60695 sub-parts?

Yes. LISUN’s GW-1 and NF-1 testers comply with all major sub-sections of the IEC 60695 standard for glow wire and flame tests.

Q5: Does LISUN offer training or support for setup?

Indeed. Through its global network, LISUN offers live assistance, videos, manuals, and training materials in multiple languages.

The need for fire safety is only increasing as electronic gadgets are incorporated more and more into our homes, offices, and transportation networks. High heat or even flames can result from short circuits, overloaded components, and defective insulation. Manufacturers are required to confirm the flame-retardant qualities of the materials and components used in their products in order to protect consumers and adhere to international standards. Fire hazard simulations such as the Needle Flame Test and the Glow Wire Test are used to accomplish this. Both are widely accepted techniques for evaluating a material’s reaction to thermal ignition sources. This article describes the importance of thermal hazard testing in the current electronics industry, emphasizes LISUN’s solutions, and examines the role glow wire testing plays in product safety.

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