Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 3801 Col. Valle de Las Brisas CP 64790 Monterrey, México +52 (8) 357 77 79 mailto:mail@matel.com.mx

IEEE 383 Vertical Wire Flame Test

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has established IEEE-383, "IEEE Standard
for Type Test of Class IE Electric Cables, Field Splices and Connections for Nuclear Generation
Stations". Although originally intended for cables essential for emergency operations in nuclear power
plants, this test procedure is used for other non-nuclear installations.

In the IEEE-383 fire test, cables are supported by a one foot wide vertical rack eight feet high. The
cables are positioned in the center six inches of the rack, spaced one-half cable diameter apart. The
rack is centered in an eight foot cube enclosure recommended by Underwriters' Laboratories. A ten
inch ribbon burner fuel with an air-propane mixture ignites the cable with a 21 K W (70,000 BTU/hr)
flame. The burner is positioned 2 feet above the floor and 9 to 12 inches of cable are exposed to the
direct flames for 20 minutes. Cables on which flame extends above the top of the 8 foot rack fail this test.

NELPIA (ANI) test is a (210,000 BTU/hr) vertical flame test corner configuration test.

Vertical-Tray Flame Test (210,000 BTU) ICEA T-29-520
Similar to 70,000 BTU/hr test but heat source is increased to 210,000 BTU/hr.

Factory Mutual Cable Fire Propagation Test
A unique test standard whereby a Fire Propagation Index (FPI) is determined based upon a combination
heat release and ignition test. The FPI is used to determine a 1, 2, or 3 Group rating. The lower Group
ratings are the better performing cables.