RJ45 Plugs: Plastic Housing Material Selection

UL 94V-0 and UL 94V-2 are flammability standards for plastic materials used in parts of devices and appliances. It is issued by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent safety science company that evaluates the fire risks of various products.

UL 94V-0 Vertical Burning Test

It measures the tendency of a material to either extinguish or spread the flame once ignited. UL 94V-0 is often required for printed circuit boards and connectors that are exposed to high temperatures or electrical currents.

UL 94V-0 is the highest rating for vertical burning tests in the UL 94 test.

RJ45 patch cords are widely used for data transmission and networking applications. They are composed of two RJ45 connectors and twisted pairs of copper wires covered by plastic insulation and jackets. A RJ45 connector is a common type of network connector that connects patch cords to devices such as computers, routers, and switches. It is made of plastic and metal components that may be exposed to heat or fire hazards in some situations. Therefore, it is important to test the flammability of the RJ45 connectors to ensure the safety and reliability of the patch cord. Flammability is an important factor to consider, especially in environments where fire hazards are present or where strict fire codes are enforced.

One way to test the flammability of a RJ45 connector is to apply the UL 94 vertical burning test (V method). This test involves holding a specimen of the connector vertically and applying a controlled flame at its lower end for 10 seconds. The flame is then removed and the burning time, afterglow time, dripping behavior, and extent of damage are recorded. The test is repeated 5 times on different specimens of the same material.

A UL 94V-0 rated RJ45 connector must meet the following criteria:

• The burning time of each specimen must not exceed 10 seconds after removing the flame.
• The total burning time of all five specimens must not exceed 50 seconds.
• None of the specimens must burn up to the mounting clamp by either flaming or glowing combustion.
• None of the specimens must drip flaming particles that ignite the cotton below them.
• The glowing combustion of each specimen must not last longer than 30 seconds after removing the flame.

UL 94V-2 Vertical Burning Test

UL 94V-2 is one of the classifications under UL 94 that applies to vertical burning tests. It means that the material stops burning within 30 seconds on a vertical specimen, and drips of flaming particles are allowed.

A RJ45 connector is a type of modular plug that is commonly used for Ethernet networking and telecommunication applications. It is made of plastic materials that may be susceptible to ignition and combustion. Therefore, it is important to test the flammability of a RJ45 connector to ensure its safety and performance.

One way to test the flammability of a RJ45 connector is to use the UL 94V-2 vertical burning test.

The test procedure is as follows:

• A test specimen of the RJ45 connector with a minimum thickness of 0.75 mm is clamped to a stand in a vertical position.
• A burner with a specified flame height and gas flow rate is placed below the specimen at an angle of 20 degrees.
• The burner is applied to the lower end of the specimen for 10 seconds, then removed.
• The afterflame time and the afterglow time are recorded.
• The test is repeated for four more specimens.

Afterflame time: the time that the specimen continues to burn after the removal of the burner.

Afterglow time: the time that the specimen continues to glow after the cessation of flaming.

The criteria for passing the UL 94V-2 test are:

• The afterflame time for each individual specimen does not exceed 30 seconds.
• The total after-flame time for all five specimens does not exceed 250 seconds.
• Flaming particles or drips are allowed, but they should not ignite a cotton indicator placed below the specimen.

In conclusion, RJ45 connectors that passed the UL 94V-0 or UL 94V-2 reduce the risk of fire spreading and damage to other parts of the device or appliance. An UL 94V-2 rated connector can be used safely in various applications, while an UL 94V-0 connector meets the highest UL 94 vertical burning standards and safety requirements of various industries and markets. Therefore, it is important to check the specifications and ratings of the cable before purchasing or installing.

Read more about RJ45 Patch Cords OEM and ODM.