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EN50362 STANDARD

The EN 50362 standard, as a test method for fire resistance of large unprotected power supply and control cables used in emergency circuits, has a clear and critical position in the fire resistance performance evaluation of emergency circuit cables.

1. Scope of application of the standard
The EN 50362 standard mainly applies to power cables and control cables with a rated voltage ≤ 0.6/1 kV, and these cables belong to large unprotected cables with an outer diameter>20 mm. This means that in emergency circuits, cables responsible for ensuring the power supply of firefighting equipment in the fire protection system, cables providing lighting for evacuation routes in the emergency lighting system, and cables related to the power supply of escape routes, as long as they meet the above voltage and outer diameter requirements, their fire resistance testing must comply with this standard. For cables with an outer diameter ≤ 20 mm, they need to be tested according to EN 50200. Through this clear division, it is ensured that cables of different specifications can receive appropriate fire resistance evaluations.

2.Testing requirements
During the testing process, the setting of various conditions is extremely strict to fully verify the fire resistance of the cable in extreme environments.
Flame conditions: The flame temperature during testing needs to be controlled at 842 ° C, with an actual allowable fluctuation range of 830 ° C+40/0C. This high temperature simulates the extreme high temperature environment that cables may face during a fire, testing the stability of cables under continuous high-temperature burning.
Mechanical impact: At the same time as the flame burns the cable, mechanical impact should be applied to it, and the impact interval is strictly defined as 5 minutes. This synchronous mechanical impact simulates the external forces that may occur on cables during a fire, such as building vibrations and object falls, and comprehensively tests the cable's tolerance.
Testing time: The entire testing process takes 120 minutes, and the prolonged testing ensures that the cable can maintain a certain level of performance during the fire, buying valuable time for the normal operation of the emergency circuit.
3. Comparison between EN 50362 standard and EN50200 fire protection standard

Standard	EN 50362	EN 50200
Applicable cable diameter	>20 mm	≤20 mm
Flame temperature	842°C (830°C±40)	842°C (830°C±40)
Mechanical impact	5min+/-10s intervals	5min+/-10s intervals
water spray test	Not required	Optional (Additional Options)
Test time	120 minutes	30/60/90/120 minutes

It can be clearly seen from the comparison that the EN 50362 standard and the EN50200 fire protection standard maintain consistency in the setting of flame temperature and mechanical shock, which reflects the equal emphasis on the fire resistance performance of cables under high temperature and external impact. In terms of applicable cable diameter, the two complement each other and cover cables of different specifications. In terms of water spray testing, EN 50362 standard does not require it, while EN 50200 standard provides it as an optional additional option. This may be because cables of different diameters face different levels of environmental complexity in actual fires, and larger diameter cables may be less likely to directly face water spray. In terms of testing time, the EN 50362 standard is fixed at 120 minutes, while the EN 50200 standard provides multiple duration options, which are also related to the application scenarios and emergency needs of different specifications of cables, ensuring that the testing is more in line with actual usage.