Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B82: Testing requirement 

Date when the measure came into force

14 September 1989 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice 1489 (Government Gazette 12002) Of14 July 1989 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Safety Of Starters For TubularFluorescent Lamps 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification covers the safety of interchangeable starters for use with 4-80 W pre-heat type tubular
fluorescent lamps including luminaires of Class I1 (as defined in SABS 1464 'Safety of luminaires' Part I:
'General requirements'). 

Description of the measure

5.2 Test Conditions.
5.2.1 Temperature
Unless otherwise specified,carry out the tests at an ambient temperature of 25 +/- 5 ̊C.
5.2.2 Sequence of tests
Carry out the tests in the sequence given using the same starter for all the tests.
5.3 Insulation Resistance Test
Apparatus
(a) Ohmmeter: An ohmmeter that uses a d.c. voltage not exceeding 500 V.
(b) Humidity cabinet: A cabinet in which the relative humidity is maintained in the range 91-95 % and the temperatures maintained, subject to a tolerance of +/-4̊C, in the range 20-27 ̊C.
5.3.2 Procedure:
(a) Condition the starter for a period of at least four hours at an ambient temperature that does not differ from the temperature in the humidity cabinet by more than + 40̊C.
(b) Subject the starter to a humidity treatment for a period of 48 hours in the humidity cabinet.
(c) Immediately after the humidity treatment, wrap the canister of the starter in a layer of metal foil and apply, for one minute, a d.c. voltage of 500 +/- 10 V between the live parts and the foil. Measure the insulation resistance between these parts and check for compliance with 3.4.
5.4 Dielectric Strength Test.
Apparatus:
(a) Transformer:A transformer: that is capable of supplying a variable a.c. r.m.s. voltage of up to 1 500 V to the starter and that is suitably load-limited.
(b) Voltmeter: A voltmeter that is connected to the secondary side of the transformer (directly, or by means of a voltmeter coil supplied in the test transformer, or through an auxiliary ratio transformer).
5.4.2 Procedure: Immediately after the insulation resistance test and with the foil still in place, apply :in a.c.
r.m. s. test voltage of 1500 V between the live parts and the foil. Apply the test voltage by gradually increasing the voltage from a value no higher than the rated supply voltage of the starter. Maintain the test voltage for a period of 60 seconds and then gradually reduce it to the starting value and, check for compliance with 3.5.
5.5 Torsion Resistance Test
Use a suitable machine with an adaptor capable of holding the pins of the starter in a fixed position. At the top of the canister, apply a torque about the axis of the starter that gradually increases from zero to 0,6 N.m. Check for compliance with 3.6.
5.6 Mechanical Strength Test
5.6.1 Apparatus: A tumbling barrel as shown in Fig. 4.
5.6.2 Procedure: Allow the starter to fall 20 times onto the steel plates in the tumbling barrel turning at 5 r/min
(i.e. 10 falls per minute for two minutes). Check for compliance with 3.7.
5.7 Heat resistance test.
5.7.1 Apparatus:
(a) Oven: A forced draught oven, the inside temperature of which can be maintained at 125+/- 5̊C.
(b) Ball-pressure apparatus: A ball-pressure apparatus as shown in Fig. 5, which exerts a force of 20 N.
5.7.2 Procedure:
(a) Keep the starter in the oven maintained at a temperature of 125+/- 5̊C for a period of 168 hours.
(b) Remove the starter from the oven, allow it to cool, and check for compliance with 3.8 (a).
(c) Take external arts, of insulating material from the starter and support the surface of the part in a horizontal position in the oven.
(d) By means of the ball-pressure apparatus, apply a force of 20 N on the surface to be tested.
(e) Maintain the temperature in the oven at 125+/- 5̊C for a period of one hour.
(f) Remove the ball-pressure apparatus and immediately measure the diameter of the indentation made.
(g) Check for compliance with 3.8 (c).
5.8 Test for resistance of capacitors to flame and ignition.
(a) Remove the capacitor from the starter and, using the apparatus described in 5.4.1, subject the capacitor to a gradually increasing a.c. voltage (applied to the terminals of the capacitor) until breakdown occurs.
(b) Connect the capacitor in series with a 40 W inductive ballast that complies with the requirements of SABS 890 'Ballasts for fluorescent lamps', as published by Government Notice No. 463 of 9 July 1982, and apply the rated voltage of the ballast or a period of five minutes.
(c) Check for compliance with 3.9.2.

5.9 Test for resistance of insulating material to fire.
5.9.1 Apparatus:
(a) A burner: A burner consisting of a tube of inside diameter 0.5 +/- 0.1 mm and that burns butane of purity at least 95 %. to give a flame of length 12 +/- 2 mm.
(b) Cotton gauze: Five layers of cotton gauze spread flat on a horizontal surface.
5.9.2 Procedure:
(a) Clamp the part to be tested 500 +/- 10 mm above the cotton gauze.
(b) In still air and for a period of 10seconds, apply the flame to the part to be tested with the end of the burner 6 mm from the surface of the part.
(c) Remove the flame, and check for compliance with 3.10. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 5.2 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Starters for use with 4-80 W pre-heat type tubular fluorescent lamps 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries