As a supplier of ETFE insulated wire, I often receive inquiries about the flammability rating of our products. Understanding the flammability rating of ETFE insulated electric wire is crucial for various applications, especially in industries where safety is a top priority. In this blog post, I will delve into the details of the flammability rating of ETFE insulated electric wire, its significance, and how it compares to other types of insulated wires.
Let me give you a clear answer first. Conventional ETFE insulated electric wire can basically meet the two mainstream standards of UL VW-1 and CSA FT1 in terms of flammability level, corresponding to the domestic national standard GB 8624-2012, which is B1 level flame retardant. Of course, there are also special circumstances. If your project has higher requirements, we can also provide modified versions, which can further improve the level and even approach the A1 non combustible standard.
UL VW-1 and CSA FT1 are globally recognized fire safety standards, and they are also the most commonly used basis for us to prove product compliance when supplying to customers. Take the UL VW-1 test as an example, it's not a complicated process: hang the ETFE insulated electric wire vertically, ignite it with a specified flame for 15 seconds, then extinguish it for 15 seconds, and repeat this process 5 times. The wire that can pass the test will not have any dripping from the insulation layer, and the flame can also extinguish itself within 60 seconds, without igniting the degreased cotton below. Simply put, even if there is a partial fire in the circuit, the insulation layer of ETFE can "extinguish the fire on its own", preventing the fire from getting bigger and bigger, which is equivalent to adding a layer of fire protection to the circuit. As for CSA FT1, its requirements are similar to those of UL VW-1, mainly to adapt to customers in the North American market and ensure that the product can meet the standards even in harsh environments there.
For domestic projects, we have to comply with the national standard GB 8624-2012, which is a mandatory requirement and cannot be taken lightly. The national standard divides the combustibility of materials into four levels, from the safest A1 level non combustible, to B1 level difficult to ignite, B2 level combustible, and finally to the most dangerous B3 level flammable. ETFE insulated electric wire defaults to B1 level flame retardant. Here, I want to clarify a misconception with everyone that B1 level is not "unable to burn", but "difficult to burn and can self extinguish even when burned". It burns slowly, does not have obvious droplets, and does not produce a large amount of toxic smoke, which is much stronger than ordinary PVC insulated wires. Most ordinary PVC wires are B2 level flammable, and once ignited, they are easy to spread.
Many customers are curious why ETFE insulated wires have such strong fire resistance? This is actually related to its insulation layer. The full name of ETFE is ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, which belongs to high-performance fluoroplastics and has excellent flame retardant properties. Its oxygen index can reach 30%, while the oxygen index of ordinary plastics is mostly between 20% and 25%. The higher the oxygen index, the less likely it is to burn. In addition, with our years of production experience, we use high-purity ETFE rubber particles and repeatedly optimize the process when extruding the insulation layer to ensure stable flame retardant performance for each wire, without uneven compliance rates.
It is worth mentioning that the high fire rating of ETFE insulated wire does not sacrifice other performance. This is also the reason why our company mainly promotes it. It is not only fireproof, but also particularly resistant to high temperatures. The long-term use temperature can reach -65 ℃ to 150 ℃, and the modified version can even reach 200 ℃; It also has strong chemical corrosion resistance and can work normally in complex environments such as chemical workshops. Its insulation and mechanical strength are also on line. For example, in our actual supply, there is a new energy vehicle customer whose engine compartment wiring needs to meet both high temperature and fire protection requirements. After comparing various insulation wires, we finally chose the ETFE model, which has flame retardancy that meets the ISO 6722 and JASO D 611 standards of the automotive industry and has not encountered any safety issues since its use.
Here is also a reminder to everyone that there are indeed some low-priced ETFE insulated wires on the market, which look similar in appearance but are actually mixed with ordinary plastic to reduce costs. Such wires do not meet the flammability level standards and are used in projects as hidden dangers. As a legitimate supplier, every batch of ETFE insulated wires undergoes third-party authoritative testing with complete testing reports. UL and CUL can meet the actual standards, so that customers can use them with confidence without worrying about compliance and safety.
In summary, it is actually quite simple. Conventional ETFE insulated wires are UL VW-1/CSA FT1, national standard B1 level, and modified versions can be upgraded. They can withstand fire, high temperature, and corrosion, and are suitable for various high-end and harsh scenarios. If your project has special fire prevention requirements, such as approaching A1 level non flammability or specific industry flame retardant requirements, feel free to contact us at any time. We will customize suitable solutions based on your actual situation and use reliable products to help you ensure project safety.
