Understanding IEC 60335-1 Glow Wire Testing for Connectors

IEC 60335-1 is the international safety standard for household and similar electrical appliances. Its glow wire test requirement is one of the most important safety certifications for connectors used in home appliances.

What Is Glow Wire Testing?

The glow wire test simulates the thermal stress that can occur when an electrical connection overheats or fails. A heated wire (the "glow wire") is applied to the connector housing at a specified temperature, and the material's reaction is observed.

• Glow wire temperature: 750°C or 850°C, depending on the application.
• Application force: 1.0 N for 30 seconds.
• Pass criteria: No ignition, or if ignition occurs, flame extinguishes within 30 seconds after glow wire removal.

Why 850°C Matters

For unattended appliances that carry more than 0.2A (which includes virtually all white goods), IEC 60335-1 requires connectors to pass glow wire testing at 850°C. PA66 V0 material with flame retardant additives achieves this — the "V0" rating means the material self-extinguishes within 10 seconds on a vertical specimen.

Connectors That Need Glow Wire Certification

• All current-carrying connector housings
• Terminal blocks and connection points
• Switch and relay housings that are part of the connector system
• PCB connectors mounted on appliance control boards

Selecting Compliant Connectors

When sourcing connectors for home appliances, verify: material certification with glow wire test reports, third-party independent lab testing, temperature rating exceeding the appliance's max internal temperature, and batch-level material traceability.

All our connector housings use PA66 V0 material that passes glow wire testing at 850°C per IEC 60335-1. We provide material certification and test documentation upon request.