Choosing between IEC 60332-1-2 and 60332-3-22 is vital when specifying armoured data cables or power and control cables for buildings and industrial systems. This comparison clarifies the differences in test scope, flame intensity, and typical applications, helping engineers and safety officers select the appropriate standard.
This standard evaluates the flame retardancy of single vertical electrical cables when exposed to a defined flame source. It's part of the IEC 60332 series covering fire testing of electric and optical fiber cables.
Test orientation: Vertical
Flame source: 1 kW propane burner (~900°C)
Flame application: 60 seconds
Sample: Single cable/wire
Pass criteria: Flame must not reach upper marker (540mm)
This standard assesses flame propagation in vertically mounted bundled cables, simulating real-world cable installation conditions.
Test orientation: Vertical ladder/tray
Flame source: 20.6kW propane burner (~815°C)
Flame application: 40 minutes
Sample: Cable bundle
Pass criteria: Charred portion ≤ 2.5m from burner
| Parameter | IEC 60332-1-2 | IEC 60332-3-22 |
|---|---|---|
| Test Type | Single small flame test | Large-scale flame test |
| Sample Configuration | Single cable | Cable bundle (typical 7L/m) |
| Flame Intensity | 1kW (~900°C) | 20.6kW (~815°C) |
| Test Duration | 60 seconds | 40 minutes |
| Flame Height | ~175mm | ~1.5m |
| Assessment | Visual flame spread | Char length ≤ 2.5m |
IEC 60332-1-2 is a component-level test evaluating basic flame retardancy. IEC 60332-3-22 is a system-level test simulating actual installation scenarios with bundled cables.
IEC 60332-3-22 uses a much larger flame source (20.6kW) to replicate turbulent fire conditions and convective heat, better representing real fire events.
IEC 60332-1-2 is pass/fail based on whether the flame reaches 540mm. IEC 60332-3-22 measures char length and requires it to remain below 2.5 meters.
IEC 60332-1-2 tests single cables; IEC 60332-3-22 evaluates flame spread across bundled cables mounted on a ladder tray.
Use IEC 60332-1-2: For verifying basic cable material performance in low-risk environments or short cable runs.
Use IEC 60332-3-22: For high-rise buildings, substations, power plants, and other critical applications where vertical installations are common.
IEC 60332-3-22 often requires third-party testing under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. In contrast, 60332-1-2 may be handled by manufacturers in-house.
While IEC 60332-1-2 and 60332-3-22 both assess flammability, they serve different purposes. The former qualifies materials, the latter certifies installation-level safety. Modern specifications often require compliance with both for armoured data cables and power & control cables in critical infrastructure.
Explore our armoured and fire-resistant power cables tested to IEC 60332 standards at: Power & Control Cables
