Certification and Registration
Electronics and electrical appliances
Category:
Electrical & Electronics
Standard Introduction
The flame-retardant performance of plastic materials used in electrical and electronic equipment is commonly evaluated according to UL 94. This standard assesses the flammability performance of plastic materials used in equipment and appliance components by evaluating their ability to self-extinguish after ignition. Classification is based on criteria including burning rate, burning time, molten dripping, and whether the dripping material continues to burn.
UL 94 Flammability Testing – Scope of Applicable Products
1. This standard applies to the flammability testing of plastic parts used in electrical equipment and appliances.
2. Whether a material ultimately meets the requirements depends on its intended application within the complete equipment and shall comply with the applicable standards for that equipment.
3. These requirements may also be applied to other non-metallic materials; however, they do not apply to plastic materials used in construction and decorative applications.
4. The test methods described in this standard apply to standard-size specimens and are intended only for evaluating and characterizing the flammability performance of materials used in equipment and appliances when exposed to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions.
UL 94 Flammability Testing – Classification Levels
1) HB Grade: Horizontal Burning Test
For specimens with a span of 75 mm:
Specimens with a thickness of 3.0 mm to 13 mm: burning rate ≤ 40 mm/min
Specimens with a thickness of less than 3.0 mm: burning rate ≤ 75 mm/min
The specimen shall stop burning before reaching the 100 mm mark.
Specimens meeting the above requirements are classified as HB.
2) V-0, V-1, V-2 Grades: Vertical Burning Test
|
Flammability Rating |
V0 |
V1 |
V2 |
|
Single specimen t1/t2 |
≤ 10 s |
≤ 30 s |
≤ 30 s |
|
All specimens t1+t2 |
≤ 50 s |
≤ 250 s |
≤ 250 s |
|
Single specimen t2+t3 |
≤ 30 s |
≤ 60 s |
≤ 60 s |
|
Whether flaming continues |
No |
No |
No |
|
Whether burning cotton is ignited |
No |
No |
Yes |
3) 5VA / 5VB Grade: 5V Vertical Burning Test
5V flame test (500 W, 125 mm vertical burning test)
4) RP Class: Radiant Panel Flame Spread Test
5) VTM0–VTM2: Vertical Burning Test for Thin Materials
6) HF1–HF2: Horizontal Burning Test for Foamed Materials
UL 94 Flammability Testing – Relevant Standards
ASTM D4986 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials
ASTM D4804 Standard test method for determining the flammability of non‑rigid solid plastics
ASTM E162 Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
IEC 60695-11-10 Fire hazard testing - Part 11-10: Test flames; 50 W horizontal and vertical flame test methods
ISO 9772 Cellular plastics. Determination of horizontal burning characteristics of small specimens subjected to a small flame
|
Flammability Rating |
5VA |
5VB |
|
Afterflame and Afterglow Time of Single Specimen |
≤ 60 s |
≤ 60 s |
|
Whether Burning Cotton is Ignited |
NO |
NO |
|
Single Specimen t2+t3 |
≤ 30 s |
≤ 30 s |
|
Whether Burn-through Occurs |
NO |
YES |
4)RP Class : Radiant Panel Flame Spread Test Radiant Panel Flame Spread Test
5)VTM0-VTM2 : Vertical flame test for thin materials Thin Material Vertical Burning Test
6)HF1-HF2 : Horizontal Burning Test for Foamed Materials Horizontal Burning Foamed Material Test
UL 94 Flammability Testing – Relevant Standards
ASTM D635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizontal Position
ASTM D4986 Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials
ASTM D4804 Standard test method for determining the flammability of non‑rigid solid plastics
ASTM E162 Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
ASTM D5025 Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
ASTM D5207 Practice for Calibration of 20 and 125 mm Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
IEC 60695-11-10 Fire hazard testing - Part 11-10: Test flames; 50 W horizontal and vertical flame test methods
ISO 9772 Cellular plastics. Determination of horizontal burning characteristics of small specimens subjected to a small flame
Previous page
Related Information
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
Contact Us
Address: Room 7D, Building A, Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center, No. 88 Haide 1st Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Phone: 0755-8273-9683
Mobile: 189-2676-2893
Email: info@sdswcn.com
Sales Window
WeChat Applet