IEC 61482-1-1:2009

IEC 61482-1-1


®

Edition 1.0 2009-05



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric
arc –
Part 1-1: Test methods – Method 1: Determination of the arc rating (ATPV or
E ) of flame resistant materials for clothing
BT50

Travaux sous tension – Vêtements de protection contre les dangers thermiques
d’un arc électrique –
Partie 1-1: Méthodes d’essai – Méthode 1: Détermination de la caractéristique
d’arc (ATPV ou E ) de matériaux résistant à la flamme pour vêtements
BT50


IEC 61482-1-1:2009

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---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 61482-1-1


®

Edition 1.0 2009-05



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric
arc –
Part 1-1: Test methods – Method 1: Determination of the arc rating (ATPV or
E ) of flame resistant materials for clothing
BT50

Travaux sous tension – Vêtements de protection contre les dangers thermiques
d’un arc électrique –
Partie 1-1: Méthodes d’essai – Méthode 1: Détermination de la caractéristique
d’arc (ATPV ou E ) de matériaux résistant à la flamme pour vêtements
BT50


INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
X
CODE PRIX
ICS 13.220.40; 29.260 ISBN 978-2-88910-520-5
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – 61482-1-1 © IEC:2009



CONTENTS

FOREWORD.4


1 Scope.6

2 Normative references .6

3 Terms, definitions and symbols .7


3.1 Terms and definitions .7

3.2 Symbols and units .11

4 Principle of the test methods .11

4.1 Test method A.11
4.2 Test method B.12
5 Significance and use of the test methods.12
6 Test apparatus .12
6.1 General .12
6.2 Method A – Arrangement of the two-sensor panels.13
6.3 Method A – Panel construction .14
6.4 Method B – Arrangement of the mannequins .15
6.5 Method B – Mannequin construction.17
6.6 Sensor response .18
6.7 Calorimeter construction.18
6.8 Supply bus and electrodes .20
6.8.1 General .20
6.8.2 Electrodes .21
6.8.3 Fuse wire .22
6.9 Electric supply.22
6.10 Test-circuit control.22
6.11 Data acquisition system.22
7 Precautions .22
8 Specimen preparation.23
8.1 Test specimens .23
8.1.1 Test specimens for method A: two-sensor panel test .23
8.1.2 Test specimens for method B: four-sensor mannequin.23
8.2 Laundry conditioning of test specimens .23
9 Calibration.23

9.1 Data acquisition system precalibration .23
9.2 Calorimeter calibration check .23
9.3 Arc exposure and apparatus calibration for the two-sensor panels and the
monitoring sensors .24
9.3.1 Test apparatus .24
9.3.2 Positioning of the two-sensor panels, mannequins and monitoring
sensors .24
9.3.3 Apparatus calibration for the two-sensor panels and monitoring
24
sensors .
9.4 Confirmation of test apparatus setting .24
10 Test apparatus care and maintenance .25
10.1 Surface reconditioning.25
10.2 Care of sensor panels and mannequins.25
10.3 Care of electrodes.25

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61482-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 3 –


11 Test procedures .25

11.1 Test parameters .25


11.2 Sequence of tests .25

11.2.1 Panels .25

11.2.2 Mannequins.25

11.2.3 Test criteria .25

11.3 Initial temperature .26

11.4 Specimen mounting.26

11.4.1 Method A panels.26

11.4.2 Method B mannequins .27
11.5 Specimen characteristics.27
11.6 Test protocol .28
12 Interpretation of results .28
12.1 Heat transfer .28
12.1.1 Determining time zero .28
12.1.2 Plotting sensor response .28
12.1.3 Sensor response versus Stoll curve.30
12.1.4 Determination of heat attenuation factor (HAF) .32
12.2 Determination of breakopen threshold energy, E .33
BT50
12.3 Arc rating .33
12.4 Visual inspection .33
13 Test report.34
Annex A (normative) Measurement of char length.36
Annex B (informative) Logistic regression technique .37
Annex C (informative) Heat attenuation factor.39
Bibliography.40

Figure 1 – Method A – Arrangement of three two-sensor panels with monitoring
sensors (plan view).13
Figure 2 – Method A – Two-sensor panel (face view) with monitoring sensors .14
Figure 3 – Method A – Sliding two-sensor panel .15
Figure 4 – Supply bus and arc electrodes showing the position of mannequin(s) and
monitoring sensors .16
Figure 5 – Positioning of electrodes and monitoring sensors.17

Figure 6 – Four-sensor mannequin, front view .18
Figure 7 – Calorimeter and thermocouple details .19
Figure 8 – Typical installation of the copper sensor mounted in the panel and the
calorimeter mounted in the monitoring sensor.20
Figure 9 – Example of supply bus and arc electrodes for panels .21
Figure 10 – Typical material clamping assembly .27
Figure 11 – Typical sensor temperature-rise curve with time scale and baseline
correction .29

Table 1 – Human tissue tolerance to heat, second-degree burn [1] .31
Table A.1 – Total tearing load .36

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INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________



LIVE WORKING –

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST THE THERMAL

HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –



Part 1-1: Test methods –

Method 1: Determination of the arc rating

(ATPV or E ) of flame resistant materials for clothing
BT50



FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.

9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61482-1-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 78: Live
working.
This standard cancels and replaces IEC 61482-1:2002. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC 61482-1:
– addition of a detailed analysis of the sensor response.

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61482-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 5 –


The text of this standard is based on the following documents:


FDIS Report on voting

78/793/FDIS 78/805/RVD



Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on

voting indicated in the above table.



This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

A list of all parts of the IEC 61482 series can be found, under the general title Live working –
Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc, on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition; or
• amended.

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– 6 – 61482-1-1 © IEC:2009


LIVE WORKING –

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST THE THERMAL

HAZARDS OF AN ELECTRIC ARC –



Part 1-1: Test methods –

Method 1: Determination of the arc rating

(ATPV or E ) of flame resistant materials for clothing
BT50







1 Scope
This part of IEC 61482 specifies test methods to measure the arc thermal performance value
of materials intended for use in heat- and flame-resistant clothing for workers exposed to the
thermal effects of electric arcs and the function of garments using these materials. These test
methods measure the arc thermal performance value of materials which meet the following
requirements: less than 100 mm char length and less than 2 s afterflame after removal from
flame, when tested in accordance with ISO 15025, procedure B (bottom-edge ignition) on the
outer material, and the char length measured using a modified ISO method as described in
Annex A.
These methods are used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products,
assemblies or garments, in response to convective and radiant energy generated by an
electric arc in open air under controlled laboratory conditions.
The materials used in these methods are in the form of flat specimens for method A and
garments for method B.
Method A is used to determine the arc rating of materials and material assemblies when
tested in a flat configuration.
Method B is used to measure garment response, not arc rating, to an arc exposure including
all the garment findings, sewing thread, fastenings, fabrics and other accessories when tested
on a male mannequin torso. Method B is also used for accident replication.
It is the responsibility of the user of this part of IEC 61482 to establish appropriate safety and
health practices prior to use. For specific precautions, see Clause 7.
The test methods in this part of IEC 61482 are not directed to classify by protection classes.

Methods determining protection classes are prescribed in IEC 61482-1-2.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3175-2, Textiles – Professional care, drycleaning and wetcleaning of fabrics and
garments – Part 2: Procedure for testing performance when cleaning and finishing using
tetrachloroethene
ISO 6330, Textiles – Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing

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61482-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 7 –


ISO 9151, Protective clothing against heat and flame – Determination of heat transmission on

exposure to flame


ISO 15025:2000, Protective clothing – Protection against heat and flame – Method of test for

limited flame spread



3 Terms, definitions and symbols


For the purposes of this document, the following terms, definitions and symbols apply.


1)
NOTE For definitions of other textile terms related to the topic, see ASTM D-123 [7] .
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
arc duration
time duration of the arc
NOTE Arc duration is expressed in s.
3.1.2
arc energy
W
arc
electrical energy supplied to the arc and converted in the arc; sum of the instantaneous arc
voltage values multiplied by the instantaneous arc current values multiplied by the
incremental time values during the arc duration
NOTE Arc energy is expressed in kJ or kW·s.
3.1.3
arc gap
distance between the arc electrodes
NOTE Arc gap is expressed in mm.
3.1.4
arc rating
value attributed to materials or material systems that describes their performance to exposure
to an electrical arc discharge
2 2
NOTE The arc rating is expressed in kW·s/m – or optionally in cal/cm – and is derived from the determined
value of ATPV or E (should a material or material system exhibit a breakopen response below the ATPV value).
BT50

3.1.5
arc thermal performance value (ATPV)
in arc testing, the incident energy on a material or a multilayer system of materials that results
in a 50% probability that sufficient heat transfer through the tested specimen is predicted to
cause the onset of a second degree skin burn injury based on the Stoll curve, without
breakopen
2 2 2
NOTE ATPV is expressed in kJ/m or kW·s/m (cal/cm ).
3.1.6
arc voltage
voltage across the arc
NOTE Arc voltage is expressed in V.
—————————
1)
 Figures in square brackets refer to the bibliography.

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– 8 – 61482-1-1 © IEC:2009


3.1.7

asymmetrical arc current

total arc current produced during closure; it includes a direct component and a symmetrical

component


NOTE Asymmetrical arc current is expressed in A.

3.1.8

breakopen

in electric arc testing, material response evidenced by the formation of one or more openings

in the material which may allow flame to pass through the material


2
NOTE 1 The specimen is considered to exhibit breakopen when any opening is at least 300 mm in area or at
least 25 mm in any dimension. A single thread across the opening does not reduce the size of the hole for the
purposes of this part of IEC 61482.
NOTE 2 A multilayer specimen is considered to exhibit breakopen when all layers show formation of one or more
openings.
3.1.9
breakopen threshold energy
E
BT50
incident energy on a fabric or material that results in a 50 % probability that sufficient heat
transfer through the tested specimen is predicted to cause the tested specimen to break open
2 2 2

NOTE The breakopen threshold energy is expressed in kJ/m or kW·s/m (cal/cm ).
3.1.10
burning time
time for which a flame is visible after exposure to arc
NOTE Burning time is expressed in s.
3.1.11
calorimeter
device for measuring the heat flux and incident energy
3.1.12
charring
formation of carbonaceous residue as the result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion
3.1.13
closure
point on supply current waveform where the arc is initiated

3.1.14
clothing
assembly of garments worn by workers
3.1.15
delta peak temperature
ΔT
p
difference between the maximum temperature and the initial temperature of the sensor during
the test exposure time
NOTE Delta peak temperature is expressed in °C.
3.1.16
dripping
material response evidenced by flowing of the fibre polymer

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61482-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 9 –


3.1.17

electric arc

self-maintained gas conduction for which most of the charge carriers are electrons supplied

by primary-electron emission


[IEV 121-13-12]

NOTE During live working, the electric arc is generated by gas ionisation arising from an unintentional electrical
conducting connection or breakdown between live parts or a live part and the earth path of an electrical installation

or an electrical device. During testing, the electric arc is initiated by the blowing of a fuse wire.


3.1.18

embrittlement
formation of a brittle residue as the result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion
3.1.19
exposure time
shortly before, during and for 30 s after an arc thermal exposure has been initiated
3.1.20
garment
single item of clothing which may consists of single or multiple layers
3.1.21
heat attenuation factor (HAF)
per cent of the incident energy which is blocked by a material at an incident energy level
equal to ATPV
3.1.22
heat flux
q
thermal intensity of an electric arc indicated by the amount of energy transmitted per unit
surface area and time
2
NOTE Heat flux is expressed in kW/m .
3.1.23
ignition
initiation of combustion
3.1.24
incident energy
E
i

heat energy (total heat) received at a unit surface area as a result of an electric arc
NOTE 1 The heat energy is measured as a proportional peak temperature rise ΔT of a calorimeter sensor.
p

2 2 2
NOTE 2 Incident energy is expressed in kJ/m or kW·s/m (cal/cm ).
NOTE 3 In an arc test, incident energy for a specimen is determined from the average temperature-rise response
of the two monitoring sensors adjacent to the test specimen.
3.1.25
material
fabric or other substances of which the garment is made, this may consist of single or multiple
layers

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