The challenge from appliance producers and connector manufacturers is to produce one product that will satisfy all regional regulations.
In North America, products must meet UL Flame requirements of V0 at the thinnest wall sections of the parts. While in the EU, products must meet GWT requirements on parts of 750°C min and increasing to 850°C with no flame. In some Asian countries, there may be a higher requirement than elsewhere for materials with a high comparative tracking index, or CTI. All regions call out a CTI requirement of 250V, however, individual manufactures are requesting CTI ratings up to 400V.
The solution
DSM has come to the aid of appliance connector designers with advanced engineering plastics. DSM was the first plastics producer to offer thermoplastics for appliance connectors that meet the highest flame resistance requirements of standards organizations all around the world and which also meet the required electrical properties.
The result
In close cooperation with leading OEMs and connector manufacturers, DSM has launched the Akulon SafeConnect PA66 portfolio that achieves the highest UL 94 flammability rating of V-0, at a thickness of just 0.4 mm, and enables end products to pass the IEC 60695-2-11 Glow Wire Test (GWT), sometimes also known as the Glow Wire End Product Test (GWEPT) without igniting at 850°C, and has a high CTI equal or above 400V.
This table shows key properties of Akulon SafeConnect SC21/SC22/SC41 as being listed on the UL Yellow Card.