Difference between GWFI and GWIT | Glow Wire Testing

This page compares GWFI vs GWIT and mentions difference between GWFI and GWIT glow wire testing methods. GWFI stands for Glow Wire Flammability Index and GWIT stands for Glow Wire Ignition Temperature.

Introduction: As we know safety is the major concern across the world due to possibility of human mis-use, short circuit or over current failures in appliance industry. In order to meet safety standards, fire protection requirements have been created in order to evaluate as well as rate flammability materials used within appliances. Glow wire testing is one of the such requirements used within the industry.

What is Glow Wire Testing?

• There are various methods developed in order to evaluate flammability and fire resistance of the materials. They are categorized into direct flame method and indirect flame method.
• Direct method: Flame is directly applied to horizontally or vertically mounted object under controlled conditions.
• Indirect method: Non flaming heat source is being applied to the object or sample under test. One of the examples of indirect method is Glow wire testing.
• IEC 60335-1 specifies glow wire requirements for the home appliances.
• Glow wire testing is carried out by heating an element to pre-determined temperature value. Here heating element is known as glow wire.
• IEC 60695-2 specifies glow wire test methodology.
• Glow wire testing is performed on end products as well as raw material test plates.
• The results of the glow wire test will be either PASS or FAIL at a given temperature. Passing the test requires that the object sample does not ignite or self-extinguishes within 30 seconds after removal of the heated element. Also, the object sample may not ignite the tissue paper if drips occur.

Both GWFI and GWIT are property associated with raw materials used in the end product. They are defined in IEC published documents. The property is determined by conducting glow wire test on a test plate of a raw material of a given thickness.

GWFI-Glow Wire Flammability Index

• It is the highest temperature at which the material does not ignite or self-extinguishes within 30 seconds after removal of the heated element.
• It is defined in IEC 60695-2-12.

GWIT-Glow Wire Ignition Temperature

• The Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) is the lowest temperature at which the material ignites and burns for longer than 5 seconds while the heated element is in contact with the test plate.
• It is defined in IEC 60695-2-13.

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